PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Simon Bruce (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Grace (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bruce comes into the arena with I want it all blaring out of the sound system. Grace is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Doggystyle - Snoop Dogg. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bruce
vs
Grace

195 cm
27
287 lbs
17 - 2 - 0

182 cm
34
275 lbs
17 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Brute
Reaper Combatwear

[CBK] LEGAL HIGHS « Fatality MMA ↑ 5x160Q
Reaper Combatwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Simon Bruce!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Max Grace!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Paul Aken and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bruce takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bruce displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Grace throws out the jab.
Bruce attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Grace. Bruce does a little dance to reset his feet.

Bruce shoots in and gets a takedown into Grace's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bruce lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Grace looking for a sweep. Not yet Grace, not yet.
Bruce missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Bruce postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Bruce throws a big elbow that misses.
Bruce preventing the sweep.
Bruce is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Grace is trying to control the position but Bruce postures up.
Grace managing to control the position.
Grace working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Max Grace wasn't active enough on the ground.
Bruce throws a leg kick but Grace sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Grace misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bruce.
Bruce lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Bruce looks to throw the jab but Grace is out of range.
A nice leg kick lands there from Bruce.

Bruce closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Bruce lands in his opponent's guard.
Grace is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bruce wants to control from the top but Grace keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bruce working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bruce distracts Grace with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Bruce content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Bruce has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Bruce throwing strikes but missing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Grace avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bruce wants to control from the top but Grace keeps moving.
Grace looking to control.
Grace working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bruce.
Bruce trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bruce throws a big right hand that misses.
Grace looking to control.
Grace pulls Bruce in close to prevent any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Max Grace.
Bruce throws a shot from downtown. Grace moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bruce misses with a straight right.
Bruce misses with a hook to the body
and Grace counters with a two punch combo.
Grace moves out of range of the strikes.
Bruce throws out a leg kick but Grace moves out of range and Bruce only half commits.
Bruce throws a poor cross that misses
and Grace counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Bruce misses with a low kick.
Bruce takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Bruce swings widly with a right hand
and Grace counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bruce shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Grace pinned against the cage. Grace gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Grace showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bruce.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grace throws a jab when Bruce was well out of range.
Grace misses with a hook to the body
and Bruce counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Bruce connects with a looping right hand.
Grace slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Bruce chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Bruce looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Grace is fending him off so far but Bruce persists. Nope, Grace circles away and we're back to standing.
Grace throws a hook but Bruce blocks it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Grace works Bruce's body with a nice hook.
Grace moves away from the strike by Bruce.
Grace throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Simon Bruce will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bruce finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Grace throws a lazy right hand but Bruce sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bruce looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bruce throws a hook but Grace avoids it easily.
Bruce fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bruce connects with a body shot that sends Grace's belly button to the back.
Grace throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Grace is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Bruce rather than just go for the knockout.
Grace throws a right hand that Bruce ducks under and follows up with a left that Bruce also avoids with ease.
Bruce fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Grace checks it well.
Grace throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like Simon Bruce has been cut.
Grace wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bruce misses with a hook
and Grace counters with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Grace throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Bruce tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Grace is in Bruce's guard.
Grace trying to control the position from guard on top but Bruce is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Simon Bruce overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Grace looking to sit in guard and control but Bruce gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Bruce throws a big elbow that misses.
Bruce working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Grace preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Grace trying to keep a closed guard but Bruce is proving a slippery customer.
Bruce working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bruce is looking to work some ground and pound but Grace has wrist control.
Grace has control of Bruce's left arm, preventing Bruce from doing any damage.
Grace is looking to stand up but Bruce isn't so interested in that idea.
Bruce throws a big elbow that misses.
Grace looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bruce throwing strikes but missing.
Bruce is looking to work some ground and pound but Grace has wrist control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Grace preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bruce preventing the sweep.
Grace really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bruce. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bruce content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Bruce loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bruce throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grace tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bruce throws a big right hand that misses.
Grace has his hands on Bruce's head, controlling the position.
Bruce working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Bruce throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bruce working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bruce passes into half guard.
Grace blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bruce.
Bruce missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bruce not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bruce missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bruce throws a strike but Grace avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Bruce scoring with punches to the head and body.
Grace is trying to keep Bruce in close.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bruce will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Grace looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Grace avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bruce stops Grace from standing up.
Bruce postures up in Grace's guard and throws a big left but Grace blocks it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Max Grace wasn't active enough on the ground.
Grace thows a body shot but no joy.
Bruce misses the jab.
Bruce jabs Grace to the body, keeping him at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Simon Bruce will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Simon Bruce's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Grace misses with a hook. Bruce ducked under it nicely.
Simon Bruce seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bruce takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bruce. Grace does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bruce tries for a takedown but Grace sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Grace misses with a wild body shot.
Grace throws a body kick that misses.
Grace swings away with a body shot that misses
enabling Bruce to counter with a crisp jab.
Bruce misses with a wild body shot.
A right-left combo lands from Bruce.
Bruce fails to land the takedown.
Bruce avoids the body shot from Grace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bruce. Grace does a little dance to reset his feet.

Bruce drives through with a takedown into Grace's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Grace keeping moving, preventing Bruce from controlling successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Grace can do anything to dispel that myth.
Bruce throws an elbow that misses. Grace uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bruce's guard. Nice move by Grace!
Bruce keeping full guard, as Grace tries to pass.
Grace is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Grace wants to control from the top but Bruce keeps moving.
Grace postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grace trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Grace trying to control but Bruce is working from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Max Grace wasn't active enough on the ground.
Bruce throws a looping overhand right but Grace ducks down to avoid it.
Grace swings for the body but Bruce moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Grace throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bruce lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Bruce tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Grace was well out of range. Poor timing from Bruce.
Bruce slips under a jab from Grace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grace misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bruce.
Grace staying out of range there.

Bruce shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Grace's guard.
Bruce postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bruce sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Grace's guard.

Bruce is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Grace tries to roll over but Bruce keeps him under control.
Bruce thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bruce prevents Grace from improving his position.
Bruce misses with a head shot. Grace uses the momentum to regain guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bruce throwing strikes but missing.
Grace trying to keep a closed guard but Bruce is proving a slippery customer.
Grace pulls Bruce in close to prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bruce is looking to work some ground and pound but Grace has wrist control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Grace pulls Bruce in to control the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Grace not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Max Grace was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Grace takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Simon Bruce did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Simon Bruce's cut.
That's time! Bruce's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bruce fails to land with a series of punches.
Bruce throws a lazy right hand but Grace sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bruce connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Grace momentarily.
Grace misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bruce.
Bruce scores with a crisp jab that stopped Grace in his tracks.
Grace walks into a straight right hand from Bruce.
Bruce is looking to clinch but Grace is avoiding it.
Bruce uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Grace.
Bruce fails with a takedown attempt.
Grace moves forwards but Bruce connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Bruce lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grace checks a low kick from Bruce.
Grace misses with a wild body shot.
Bruce keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Grace showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bruce.

Bruce rushes Grace and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Bruce trying to stall but Grace improves his position.
Bruce is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Bruce misses with a punch on the inside.
Bruce throws a punch but it's blocked by Grace.
Bruce misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Grace.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A left hand lands to the body for Grace.
A nice left hand lands by Grace.
A body shot lands from Grace.
Grace wants to break the clinch but can't.

Grace escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bruce misses with a takedown attempt - Grace sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Bruce moves forwards but Grace connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Bruce uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Grace.
Bruce is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Bruce misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Grace.
A looping hook to the body misses from Grace. Bruce does a little dance to reset his feet.
A jab from Bruce misses.
Grace throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bruce takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A jab from Grace misses.
A jab from Grace finds it's way through Bruce's defenses.
Bruce misses with a hook. Grace ducked under it nicely.
Max Grace seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bruce shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Grace but Grace pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simon Bruce. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Grace just misses with a punch to the body.
Bruce throws a looping overhand right but Grace ducks down to avoid it.
Bruce shoots in and drives through. Grace sprawls well.
Grace throws a shot to the body.
Bruce throws a shot from downtown. Grace moves away and avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Grace bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Grace trying to control the action but Bruce is working from the bottom.
Grace working the ground and pound but Bruce is defending the strikes.
Grace lands a decent elbow from side control.
Bruce defending against the ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bruce is not content to let Grace control the position.

Grace stands up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Grace dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Simon Bruce's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Grace looks to score with a jab to the body but Bruce is just out of range.
A head kick misses from Bruce.
Bruce throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Grace counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Grace misses with a shot to the body
and Bruce connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Grace scores with the left hand. Bruce knows he should have avoided that one.

Bruce has Grace up against the cage in a clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Grace goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grace wants to stall.
Grace tries to work over Bruce's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Bruce goes for a takedown in the clinch but Grace prevents it.
Grace misses with a body punch.
A right hook to the body lands for Grace.
Bruce lands a shoulder strike.
Bruce takes a shot to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Grace looking to stall.
Grace blocks an uppercut.
Max Grace has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Grace breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bruce throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Grace on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Bruce throws a sloppy head kick and Grace moves out of range easily.
Bruce scores with a jab.
Bruce fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Grace looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Bruce connects with a nice looking jab.
Grace fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bruce manages to avoid it.
Grace throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Bruce throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bruce avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bruce throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Grace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grace swinging wildly here.
Donk. Bruce catches Grace right on the button with a cross.
Bruce misses with a wild body shot.
Grace lands an overhand right.
Bruce takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bruce throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Grace sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Grace ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bruce moves away.
Grace ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bruce moves away.
Bruce fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Grace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bruce throws a hook to the side of Grace's head but Grace sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A jab from Bruce misses.
Grace takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Bruce, right into the meat.
Grace walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Simon Bruce is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bruce takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Bruce misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Grace.
Bruce uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Bruce tries to work over Grace's front leg with a kick but Grace checks it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Grace misses with a body shot.
Bruce keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Grace comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bruce has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 48:49
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 48:47
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Simon Bruce!
After the fight, Simon Bruce was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.