PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michel Gray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mariusz Pudzianowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gray
vs
Pudzianowski

162 cm
23
279 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

180 cm
25
280 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Michel Gray!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Mariusz Pudzianowski!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Sam Margolis and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pudzianowski tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Gray holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Gray pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Pudzianowski's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Pudzianowski closes the distance and pushes Gray back into the cage.

Pudzianowski tightens his grip and picks Gray up, before dumping him to the ground. Gray manages to land in guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Gray is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gray has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pudzianowski can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Pudzianowski passes Gray's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Gray trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pudzianowski passes the guard and advances to mount!
Pudzianowski throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

Pudzianowski wants to finish this one by submission but Gray is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Pudzianowski.
Gray is in a horrible position here. Pudzianowski smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

It looks like Michel Gray has been cut.
Gray might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Gray is squirming around, avoiding Pudzianowski's attempts to control the action.

Pudzianowski working for a submission but Gray is keeping him at bay.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pudzianowski unloads with some shots from mount but Gray bucks and avoids them well.
Pudzianowski misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Pudzianowski manages to capitalize on a mistake by Gray to take his back!
Gray is trying to get back to his feet but Pudzianowski has full control of the position and if anything, Gray has just worked his way into a worse spot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pudzianowski avoiding Gray 's attempts to control his hands.
Pudzianowski has the hooks in. Gray is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Pudzianowski's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Pudzianowski might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Gray haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gray tries to break free.

Pudzianowski looking to break Gray's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Gray remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Pudzianowski will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Pudzianowski has eaten all the pies!
Gray is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Gray is keeping busy.
Pudzianowski gets his hands free as Gray looks to control.

Gray defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Gray trying to control the hands but Pudzianowski breaks the grip.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gray is trying to remain composed but Pudzianowski is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Pudzianowski missing with punches from the back.
Gray can't escape the position.

Pudzianowski tightening his grip on Gray, looking for the choke.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pudzianowski keeps control of the position as Gray tries to break free.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pudzianowski struggling to keep hold of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mariusz Pudzianowski dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Michel Gray's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Pudzianowski fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gray, pushing him back against the cage.
Gray goes for a takedown attempt but Pudzianowski pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Pudzianowski shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Gray is trying to defend but Pudzianowski finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Pudzianowski thows a huge punch but Gray dodges it nicely.
Gray tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Gray flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Pudzianowski is looking to advance position but Gray won't allow it.
Gray is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Pudzianowski's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Pudzianowski's back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pudzianowski trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Gray keeps control of the position as Pudzianowski tries to break free.
Gray is trying to stick to Pudzianowski's back but Pudzianowski is turning into Gray. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Gray's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Pudzianowski.
Pudzianowski stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gray swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gray seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Gray not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gray keeping moving, preventing Pudzianowski from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Mariusz Pudzianowski.
Gray throws a sloppy head kick and Pudzianowski moves out of range easily.
Pudzianowski tries to clinch up but Gray circles away and keeps his distance.
Nice body kick from Pudzianowski.

Gray rushes Pudzianowski and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Gray is trying to pull guard but Pudzianowski turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Pudzianowski tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Pudzianowski breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pudzianowski dives in for a single leg takedown but Gray sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Pudzianowski manages to break the clinch.
Pudzianowski throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gray's waist but Gray gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pudzianowski off to one side.
Michel Gray has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mariusz Pudzianowski.
Gray shoots in for a double leg but Pudzianowski sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gray fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pudzianowski misses with a double jab

and Gray counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Gray.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gray tries to free his leg and advance position but Pudzianowski is retaining full guard.
Pudzianowski is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Pudzianowski is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pudzianowski is trying to control the position but Gray postures up.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Pudzianowski working for a triangle but Gray defends it easily.

Gray stands and steps away. Pudzianowski gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gray looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gray displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pudzianowski.

Gray instigates a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mariusz Pudzianowski will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Michel Gray's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Pudzianowski closes the distance and clinches.
Gray is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pudzianowski gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Pudzianowski has Gray pressed against the cage, preventing Gray from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Pudzianowski tries to pull guard but Gray forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Pudzianowski manages to pull guard.
Gray trying to control but Pudzianowski is working from the bottom.
Pudzianowski is looking to stand up but Gray isn't so interested in that idea.
Pudzianowski is trying to keep Gray in close.
Pudzianowski looking to control but Gray passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gray throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Gray trying to mount his opponent but Pudzianowski defends it.
Pudzianowski tries to get to full guard but Gray has control of the leg.
Gray stalling.

Gray is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Pudzianowski is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pudzianowski is pressing down on Gray's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Pudzianowski throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Pudzianowski is wriggling around but Gray manages to pass to half guard.
Pudzianowski is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Gray jumps into side control!
Gray prevents Pudzianowski from escaping the position.
Mariusz Pudzianowski has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gray is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Pudzianowski's shoulder. That is not cool.

Gray is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Pudzianowski knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pudzianowski manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Pudzianowski takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Pudzianowski is looking for a kimura here.
Pudzianowski seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gray does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Pudzianowski is working for a kimura but Gray is defending it quite comfortably.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gray is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Pudzianowski's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Pudzianowski's back!

Gray working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Gray tightening his grip on Pudzianowski, looking for the choke.
Pudzianowski has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mariusz Pudzianowski.
Well Pudzianowski 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mariusz Pudzianowski!