PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Leon Opstad (ranked 5578 p4p, 530 weight class) and Reggie Grimdal (ranked 6122 p4p, 551 weight class). Opstad comes into the arena with Moby - Natural Blues blaring out of the sound system. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Opstad
vs
Grimdal

188 cm
33
184 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

190 cm
33
185 lbs
9 - 20 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Urban Fighter

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 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Leon Opstad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Reggie Grimdal!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Shigeki Sano and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Opstad throws a jab when Grimdal was well out of range.
Opstad shoots for a double leg takedown but Grimdal sprawls well. He's pushed Opstad's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Grimdal is looking to clinch.
Opstad appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Opstad fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

It looks like Reggie Grimdal has been cut.

Opstad throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Grimdal was covering up waiting for the punch and Opstad finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Opstad drops back, looking for a kneebar! Grimdal looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Grimdal looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Grimdal!

Grimdal working away.
Opstad is trying to buck Grimdal off.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Grimdal stands up.
Opstad has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Grimdal displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Opstad throws out the jab.
Opstad misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
No luck for Opstad with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leon Opstad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Opstad with a lazy takedown attempt

and Grimdal counters with a head kick that drops Opstad to the mat! Opstad scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!

Opstad is rocked!

Opstad shoots in and bounces Grimdal off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Grimdal is wriggling around but Opstad manages to pass to half guard.
Oh Opstad is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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!
Opstad is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Opstad seems to have got his legs back now.

Opstad is working for a kimura but Grimdal is defending it quite comfortably.
Opstad winds up and cracks Grimdal with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Opstad is trying to control the action in half guard but Grimdal is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Opstad is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Opstad seems to be looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Opstad seems to be looking for submissions.
Opstad seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Grimdal does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Opstad thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Grimdal's head.
Opstad not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Opstad stands up and beckons Grimdal to join him on the feet.
Opstad shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Grimdal as he avoids it easily.
Opstad fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Grimdal lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Opstad looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Opstad connects with a jab.

Opstad moves into the clinch successfully.
Opstad is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Grimdal looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Opstad landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Opstad blocks an uppercut.
Grimdal misses with an elbow strike.
We've been informed that Grimdal has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Opstad blocks an elbow strike.
Opstad has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Grimdal after a bit of a struggle.
Opstad drops down looking for an ankle pick but Grimdal pulls his leg out and moves away.
Opstad shoots in but Grimdal avoids the takedown attempt easily.
As Opstad backs off Grimdal throws a huge counter combo but Opstad manages to avoid it all.
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 Leon Opstad will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Reggie Grimdal's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Opstad shoots in and drives through. Grimdal sprawls well.
Opstad moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromGrimdal.
Opstad closes the distance and clinches up with Grimdal, looking for a takedown. Opstad pushes Grimdal against the cage but Grimdal circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Opstad closes this distance looking for a takedown but Grimdal circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leon Opstad. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Opstad closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Grimdal quickly recovers to half guard.

Grimdal manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Opstad fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Grimdal to the ground. Opstad is now in Grimdal's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Opstad throwing strikes but missing.
Leon Opstad overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Opstad stops Grimdal from standing up.

Opstad is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Grimdal is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Grimdal has escaped and now he's on top!

Opstad looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grimdal won't allow Opstad to get back to his feet.

Opstad escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Grimdal gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Grimdal must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Grimdal avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Opstad manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

Opstad is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Grimdal can't fight it off and eventually Opstad manages to take the fight to the floor. Grimdal looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Opstad stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Opstad drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Check out the look on Opstad's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Opstad is trying to get an arm triangle but Grimdal is defending well.
Opstad in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Opstad sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Grimdal is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Opstad landing strikes.
Opstad wants to control but Grimdal is keeping him busy.

Opstad goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Grimdal rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Opstad's guard! Nice work there by Grimdal!
Opstad wants to stand and escape but Grimdal is having none of it.

Opstad has his feet on Grimdal's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Grimdal is looking to clinch but Opstad is avoiding it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Opstad throws a sloppy head kick and Grimdal moves out of range easily.
Opstad darts in looking for a takedown but Grimdal gets double underhooks and turns Opstad into the cage.
Opstad tries to score a power double leg takedown but Grimdal sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Opstad somewhat.
Grimdal dodges the punch combination from Opstad.
Opstad shoots and misses
and Grimdal counters with a left and a right that stings Opstad.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Grimdal gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Opstad to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Opstad drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Grimdal dives on top into guard.

Grimdal wants to get up but he can't break Opstad's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
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 Leon Opstad will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Reggie Grimdal's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Grimdal stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Grimdal wants it to stay on the feet.
Grimdal tries to clinch up but Opstad circles away and keeps his distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Grimdal looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Grimdal gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Grimdal utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Opstad drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Opstad jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Opstad 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.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Grimdal wants to stand and escape but Opstad is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Opstad lands a couple of digs.

Opstad decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Opstad shoots in and drives through. Grimdal sprawls well.
Grimdal throws a counter combo.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Opstad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leon Opstad. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Grimdal darts in and clinches Opstad up against the cage.
Grimdal with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Opstad breaks the clinch.
Grimdal moves in looking to clinch but Opstad pushes him off.
Grimdal walks into a stiff left hand from Opstad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Opstad gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Grimdal throws a head kick but Opstad moves out of range.
Grimdal on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Grimdal looks for a takedown but Opstad sprawls well.
Grimdal is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Opstad works Grimdal's body with a nice hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A jab from Opstad does it's job there.

Grimdal is rocked!
Leon Opstad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Opstad shoots in but Grimdal avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grimdal tries to clinch up but Opstad circles away and keeps his distance.

Opstad scores with a takedown into Grimdal's guard.

Opstad drops back looking for a leg! Grimdal is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Grimdal manages to kick Opstad off! Opstad jumps back into Grimdal's guard.
Grimdal is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Opstad is controlling him.

Opstad drops back for a leg here. A bit of a high risk move... He's looking for a kneebar by the looks of things. Now both of them are looking for submissions. Opstad seems to have locked his on tight now - Grimdal screams in pain and taps out furiously! It certainly was a high risk move but it's paid off for Opstad, as he picks up the win!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Leon Opstad!