PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Adam Grimes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Mazaro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mazaro is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Hed Pe - Raise Hell. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Grimes
vs
Mazaro

180 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
20
195 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Adam Grimes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Mazaro!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Vladimir Khabensky and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Grimes as Mazaro shoots in.
Grimes shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mazaro as he avoids it easily.
Mazaro defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Grimes.
Grimes stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Grimes wants it to stay on the feet.
Grimes fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Adam Grimes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A solid leg kick lands there for Mazaro.

Mazaro rushes Grimes and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mazaro keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Grimes's efforts to push away.
Grimes on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Grimes has clasped his hands together around Mazaro's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Mazaro is trying to control Grimes's posture but Grimes avoids it.
Mazaro gets back to half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mazaro wants to control but Grimes is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mazaro is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Grimes is staying active.
Mazaro throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Mazaro is looking to improve his position.
Grimes trying to control the action but Mazaro is working from the bottom.

Grimes is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mazaro doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Grimes.
Mazaro is looking to improve his position.
Mazaro is not content to let Grimes control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mazaro has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Grimes is working away from the top position though.
Grimes seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mazaro does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Grimes fails with the takedown.

Mazaro has managed to clinch.
Mazaro landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Mazaro gets control of Grimes's arms and successfully pulls guard. Mazaro will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Grimes is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Grimes looking to pass the guard.
Grimes is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mazaro thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Mazaro looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Grimes thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Grimes trying to control but Mazaro is working from the bottom.
Grimes wants to stand but Mazaro is controlling his posture from full guard.
Mazaro looking for a sweep. Not yet Mazaro, not yet.
Mazaro is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Mazaro pushes Grimes off and scrambles back to his feet.
Mazaro shoots for a double leg takedown but Grimes sprawls well. He's pushed Mazaro's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Grimes drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Grimes wants to pass the guard but Mazaro is keeping the position.
Grimes not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Mazaro striking off his back but it's not causing Grimes any problems.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Grimes wanted to stand there but Mazaro had control of the position.

Mazaro looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Grimes wants to pass the guard but Mazaro is keeping the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mazaro tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ivan Mazaro will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mazaro looks for a takedown but Grimes sprawls well.
Mazaro leaves Grimes with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Mazaro stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mazaro wants it to stay on the feet.
Mazaro shoots in for a double leg but Grimes sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Grimes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Adam Grimes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mazaro fails with a takedown attempt.
Grimes stuffs the takedown.
No luck for Grimes with that takedown attempt.
Mazaro stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mazaro wants it to stay on the feet.

Mazaro fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Grimes, pushing him back against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mazaro using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grimes tries to work over Mazaro's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Mazaro pulls guard effortlessly.

Mazaro is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Grimes looking to sit in guard and control but Mazaro gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Grimes is trying to control the position but Mazaro postures up.
Mazaro must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Grimes being controlled here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grimes looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mazaro is one step ahead there.

Mazaro decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Grimes, up you get!
Mazaro with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Mazaro misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mazaro.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grimes shoots in but Mazaro avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Grimes shoots in but Mazaro avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Grimes leaves Mazaro with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Adam Grimes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Mazaro prevents a takedown attempt there.
Grimes tries to score a body lock takedown but Mazaro shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grimes tries a body shot but Mazaro blocks it.
Grimes is looking for a takedown.
Mazaro scores with a knee to the head.
Mazaro is working for takedown but Grimes is calmly controlling the position for now.
Grimes has Mazaro pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Mazaro manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Mazaro lands a nice knee to the body.
Mazaro is pressed up against the cage. Grimes has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mazaro down to the mat. Mazaro avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Grimes shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mazaro as he jumps to the side.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Grimes leaves Mazaro with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Mazaro moves into range and clinches up with Grimes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Mazaro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Grimes shoots in looking for a takedown. Mazaro tries to sprawl out of it but Grimes keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mazaro manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Mazaro fails to land the takedown.
Grimes shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mazaro cracks the inside of Grimes's front leg.
Adam Grimes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Mazaro clinches with his opponent.
Grimes looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Adam Grimes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Grimes is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Mazaro gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mazaro crunches a lovely knee into Grimes's ribcage.

Mazaro breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mazaro takes the fight into the clinch.
Grimes tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mazaro pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Grimes stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Grimes wants it to stay on the feet.
Mazaro fails to land the takedown.

Mazaro clinches.
Grimes is trying to pull guard but Mazaro has him pressed against the cage.
Mazaro prevents a takedown attempt there.
Grimes gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mazaro.
Mazaro can't get the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mazaro scores a nice knee to the body.

Mazaro breaks from the clinch.

Mazaro fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Grimes, pushing him back against the cage.
Grimes tries to break the clinch but Mazaro is controlling the position.
Grimes is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Mazaro is defending well.
A bit of stalling here from Mazaro.
Mazaro blocks a body shot from Grimes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grimes tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mazaro's elbow.
Grimes tries for a takedown but Mazaro manages to get underhooks.
Mazaro lands a good knee to the midsection. Grimes won't want to take too many of those.

Mazaro breaks from the clinch.
Mazaro fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Grimes has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Mazaro moves into the clinch successfully.

Mazaro breaks the clinch.

Mazaro gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Mazaro breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Grimes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Mazaro gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mazaro landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Mazaro pulls Grimes into guard.

Mazaro has his foot on Grimes's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Grimes works his way back into a safe position though.
Mazaro working a defensive guard here.
Grimes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mazaro is keeping the position for now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mazaro trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Grimes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mazaro is keeping the position for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Mazaro scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Adam Grimes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ivan Mazaro is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Grimes tries to clinch

and Mazaro counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Mazaro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mazaro has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Mazaro!
After winning the bout, Ivan Mazaro thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.