PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Murthel Groenhart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and The Filipino Champ (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Murthel Groenhart has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Groenhart
vs
Filipino Champ

195 cm
24
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

175 cm
24
162 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Murthel Groenhart!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, The Filipino Champ!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Johanna Lukiainen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Champ changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Groenhart looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Groenhart throws Champ to one side and escapes!

Champ gets tackled into the cage by Groenhart. Groenhart maintains the clinch.
Champ is trying to pull guard but Groenhart has him pressed against the cage.
Champ prevents the takedown attempt.
Champ fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Champ fails to pull guard.
Murthel Groenhart has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of The Filipino Champ.

Groenhart breaks the clinch.
Groenhart shoots in for a double leg but Champ sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Champ shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Groenhart counters with a one-two to the body.
Champ shoots for a takedown but Groenhart saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Champ shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Groenhart as he jumps to the side.
Groenhart closes the distance and clinches up with Champ, looking for a takedown. Groenhart pushes Champ against the cage but Champ circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Murthel Groenhart seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Champ shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Groenhart defends it nicely.

Groenhart drives through and clinches with Champ against the cage.
Groenhart is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Champ tries to pull guard but Groenhart won't allow it.
Groenhart wants a takedown but no success here.

Groenhart breaks the clinch.
Champ dives in for a single leg takedown but Groenhart sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Horrible takedown attempt by Champ or perhaps it was just good defense by Groenhart, which made it look bad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Champ shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Champ showed some decent athleticism there.
Champ wants to stand up but Groenhart manages to regain full guard.
Champ pushing down on Groenhart's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Champ wants to free his trapped foot but Groenhart is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Groenhart controlling the position well.
Champ passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Groenhart!
Champ landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Champ breaks from Groenhart's wrist control and lands an elbow.

Champ is working for a guillotine from mount but Groenhart frees his head quite easily.
Champ is looking to stand but Groenhart has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.

Champ swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Groenhart is now in Champ's guard. A big mistake from Champ there, giving up the dominant position!
Champ looking for a sweep. Not yet Champ, not yet.
Groenhart wants to stand but Champ has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Champ manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Groenhart manages to get himself to full guard.

Champ content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Champ wants to pass the guard but Groenhart is keeping the position.
Groenhart really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Champ advances position into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Groenhart is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

Champ is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Groenhart looks calm but he's in trouble here. Champ gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Groenhart is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Champ lets go of the hold and Groenhart can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:31 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). The Filipino Champ!