PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Elwood Gross (ranked 24327 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergio Martinez (ranked 8195 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Gross
vs
Martinez

204 cm
19
193 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

189 cm
23
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Elwood Gross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sergio Martinez!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Franklyn Lucas and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Martinez jabs at Gross's body.
Martinez connects with a nice looking jab.

Martinez throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Gross was covering up waiting for the punch and Martinez finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Martinez trying to control the position from guard on top but Gross is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gross has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Gross continues to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Martinez won't allow Gross to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martinez is fighting to break Gross's control of his arms but Gross is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Martinez is in close to Gross's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Gross is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Gross lands a decent punch to the body there.
Martinez is looking to work some ground and pound but Gross has wrist control.
Gross has his hands on Martinez's head, controlling the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Martinez clinches up with Gross and pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Martinez pulls guard.

Martinez is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gross is aware though and is defending well.
Gross tries to stand but Martinez is controlling from the bottom.
Martinez wants to stand and escape but Gross is having none of it.
Martinez looking to control.
Martinez wants to control but Gross passes easily into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martinez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Martinez is trying to control but can't.
Martinez is trying to get back to full guard.
Martinez wants to stand back up but Gross manages to pass into side control.
Martinez can't do much from the bottom here.
Gross will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Martinez looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Gross decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Martinez fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Gross to the ground. Martinez is now in Gross's guard.
Gross pulls Martinez in close to his closed guard and prevents Martinez from doing any damage or advancing position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergio Martinez dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gross finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Martinez darts in and clinches Gross up against the cage.

Gross is fighting off a takedown attempt but Martinez is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Gross to the mat. Gross regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Martinez wanted to stand there but Gross had control of the position.
Martinez content to stall in guard here.
Martinez trying to control but Gross is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gross pulls Martinez in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martinez would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Gross pulls Martinez in to control the position.
Gross has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Martinez looking to pass the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Martinez scores with a takedown into Gross's guard.
Martinez is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gross is controlling Martinez's posture.
Martinez postures up in Gross's guard and throws a big left but Gross blocks it.
Martinez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gross works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gross is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Sergio Martinez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Martinez wants to stand and escape but instead Gross has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Gross postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gross stands and steps away. Martinez gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Martinez looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Martinez is breathing heavily.
Gross controlling the position.
Martinez trying to control the position from guard on top but Gross is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Martinez preventing the sweep.
Martinez trying to control but Gross is working from the bottom.

Gross is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martinez being controlled here momentarily.

Gross has his foot on Martinez's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Martinez works his way back into a safe position though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Martinez trying to control the position from guard on top but Gross is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergio Martinez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Martinez has Gross up against the cage in a clinch.
Martinez connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gross's face.

It looks like Elwood Gross has been cut.
Gross is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Martinez is keeping busy.
Gross is stalling here.
Gross is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Gross gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Martinez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gross trying to control the position but instead, Martinez has worked for underhooks and has pushed Gross into the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Elwood Gross.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Gross's face as Martinez controls the position.
Gross can't do much from the bottom here.
Gross stops Martinez from passing to mount.
Martinez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gross keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Martinez goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Gross has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Martinez but great work by Gross.
Martinez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Martinez is trying to get back to half guard.

Gross stands up and beckons Martinez to his feet.
Gross throws a head kick but Martinez moves out of range.
Martinez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Martinez wants it to stay on the feet.
Sergio Martinez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Martinez forces Gross back against the cage and clinches.

Martinez gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gross working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Martinez.
Gross pulls Martinez in close to prevent any damage.
Martinez throws an elbow that misses. Gross uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Martinez's guard. Nice move by Gross!

Martinez looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Gross puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Martinez trying to hold on to Gross's head to control him but Gross postures up.
Gross tries to stand but can't do so whilst Martinez controls his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martinez is trying to control but Gross manages to pass to mount!
Martinez tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Gross is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Gross looks to score with a jab to the body but Martinez is just out of range.
Martinez changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gross misses with a jab, cross combination.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Martinez rushes Gross and presses him up against the cage.
Gross really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Martinez manages to break the clinch.
Elwood Gross has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sergio Martinez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Martinez throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Gross counters with a lovely straight right hand!

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Elwood Gross.
I think Martinez has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:29
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sergio Martinez!