PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nickey OQuinn (ranked 5807 p4p, 476 weight class) and Ariel Grande (ranked 6587 p4p, 497 weight class). OQuinn comes to the cage accompanied by YG - Stop Snitchin. 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.

OQuinn
vs
Grande

192 cm
22
217 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

186 cm
18
209 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Big heart

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Trap-Alot-Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nickey OQuinn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ariel Grande!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Viktor Lagutenko and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grande shoots in for a takedown but OQuinn shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Grande fails with a takedown attempt.
Grande drops his hands momentarily and OQuinn takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
OQuinn fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
OQuinn throws an overhand right that lands on Grande's shoulder, as Grande tries to avoid the shot.
OQuinn fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nice takedown defense from OQuinn. No joy for Grande on that attempt.
Nickey OQuinn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ariel Grande.
OQuinn throws a jab when Grande was well out of range.

OQuinn shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Grande's guard.
Grande has OQuinn pulled in close to control his posture.
Grande keeping moving, preventing OQuinn from controlling successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Grande can do anything to dispel that myth.
OQuinn passes easily into side control. Nice work.
OQuinn trying to control the position but Grande is working away.
The strikes coming from OQuinn are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grande is looking for a sweep.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Grande is not content to let OQuinn control the position.
Grande manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
OQuinn missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
OQuinn controlling the action here.
Grande slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Grande looking to hit a scissor sweep but OQuinn is one step ahead there.
OQuinn throws an elbow that misses. Grande uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in OQuinn's guard. Nice move by Grande!

OQuinn wants to sweep here but Grande controlling him for the moment.
Grande throwing strikes from guard but OQuinn blocks nicely.
OQuinn trying to keep a closed guard but Grande is proving a slippery customer.
OQuinn tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Grande must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grande controlling from the top position.
OQuinn lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

OQuinn content to stall in guard here.
Grande looking to control.
OQuinn trying to control the position from guard on top but Grande is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
OQuinn looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Our spies down at at Smitty's inform us that Grande has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Grande is trying to control the position but OQuinn postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
OQuinn trying to control the position from guard on top but Grande is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
OQuinn controlling from the top position.
OQuinn has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Grande has momentary wrist control but OQuinn slips an elbow through the middle.
OQuinn trying to control the position from guard on top but Grande is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Grande not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
OQuinn throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Grande 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.
OQuinn slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nickey OQuinn dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Grande has a takedown stuffed.
OQuinn throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Grande on the side of the head.
No luck for Grande with that takedown attempt.

Grande closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. OQuinn quickly recovers to half guard.
Grande seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but OQuinn does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
OQuinn trying to control but Grande postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OQuinn taking some punishment here, with Grande in his half guard.
Grande prevents OQuinn from improving his position.
OQuinn is pressing down on Grande's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grande wants to control from the top but OQuinn keeps moving.
Nickey OQuinn overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Grande working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
OQuinn controls Grande momentarily but Grande frees himself.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now OQuinn is on top in guard.

OQuinn stopping the sweep attempt from Grande.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells OQuinn's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
OQuinn wants to control from the top but Grande keeps moving.
Grande looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OQuinn throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Grande works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
OQuinn in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Grande looking to control but OQuinn passes into half guard.
Grande is positioning himself well to prevent OQuinn advancing to mount.
Grande tries to roll over but OQuinn keeps him under control.
Grande scores with a few weak punches.
OQuinn works his foot free and advances to mount.
Grande bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as OQuinn holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OQuinn keeping moving, preventing Grande from controlling successfully.
OQuinn is trying to control the position but Grande postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
OQuinn is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Grande is not content to let OQuinn control the position.
OQuinn uses his free foot to push down on Grande's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Grande.
Grande tries to reverse the position but OQuinn maintains control.
Grande keeps trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grande regains half guard.
OQuinn not landing any meaningful shots this time.
OQuinn throwing shots but Grande is blocking nicely.
Grande is trying to get back to full guard.
OQuinn looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
OQuinn seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
OQuinn controlling the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Grande keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Grande is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with OQuinn in particular looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nickey OQuinn dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

OQuinn drives through and clinches with Grande against the cage.
Grande is trying to stall.
Grande is looking to control OQuinn's arms but OQuinn gets an underhook and turns him. Now Grande has his back to the cage.
Grande is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. OQuinn is defending well for now.
Grande pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Grande misses with a punch to the body.
Grande takes a shot to the head.
Grande throws a knee to the head but misses.
OQuinn scores with a nice hook to the head.
Grande taking a breather.
Grande tries to throw a body punch but OQuinn avoids it by throwing Grande back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OQuinn lands with a short punch from the clinch.
OQuinn blocks a body shot from Grande.
Grande misses with an elbow strike.
OQuinn lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Grande backwards.
Grande displaying some good clinch control by pressing OQuinn up against the cage.
Grande will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning OQuinn up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grande trying to land knees to the body.
Grande looking to stall.
Grande misses with a hook to the ribs.
Grande trying to land knees to the body.
Grande controlling the action here for a moment.
OQuinn lands with a short head shot on the inside.
OQuinn scores with a shoulder strike.
OQuinn lands a left hand that snaps the head of Grande backwards.
OQuinn avoids a wild elbow strike from Grande.
Grande tries to land knees in the clinch but OQuinn avoids the damage to the body.
Grande tries to work over OQuinn's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grande takes a shot to the head.
OQuinn softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Grande is fighting off a takedown attempt but OQuinn is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Grande to the mat. Grande regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
OQuinn seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Grande wants to sweep but no luck.
Nickey OQuinn is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
OQuinn slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
OQuinn postures up.
OQuinn showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Grande working a defensive guard here.
OQuinn controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OQuinn stopping the sweep attempt from Grande.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

OQuinn clinches up against the cage.
Grande looking to throw knees to the head but OQuinn is blocking nicely.
OQuinn lands with a short punch from the clinch.
OQuinn avoids a wild elbow strike from Grande.
With the fighters up against the cage, Grande throws an elbow but misses.
Stalling in the clinch from Grande.
Grande tries to throw a body punch but OQuinn avoids it by throwing Grande back against the cage.
OQuinn lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Grande backwards.
OQuinn lands a right hand that snaps the head of Grande backwards.
Nickey OQuinn has scored more points in the clinch so far.
OQuinn lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OQuinn letting Grande take a breather here.
OQuinn is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Grande can do to turn this around?
OQuinn blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Grande misses with an elbow over the top.
Grande throws an elbow but it misses.
Grande looks to throw an elbow but misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Grande just misses with a elbow thrown towards OQuinn's brow.
OQuinn blocks a body shot from Grande.
OQuinn takes an elbow to the temple.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Grande misses with a knee to the head.
Grande missing with knees to the body.
A nice left hand lands by OQuinn.
Ariel Grande has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Grande throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nickey OQuinn showed his dominance in that final round.
Well OQuinn has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nickey OQuinn!