PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nes Gratsch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aalio Paalio II (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gratsch's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, i feel good. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Gratsch
vs
Paalio II

225 cm
21
303 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

200 cm
20
290 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nes Gratsch!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aalio Paalio II!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Paalio II closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Gratsch is defending against the submission attempts here by Paalio II.

Paalio II is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Gratsch is pressing down on Paalio II's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Paalio II works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Paalio II looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Paalio II is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Gratsch sees it coming and defends easily.

Gratsch actively working from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gratsch works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paalio II working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Paalio II in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Paalio II thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Gratsch utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gratsch will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Paalio II thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Paalio II looks gassed!
Paalio II missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gratsch doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Paalio II counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Gratsch is trying to stand back up but Paalio II is controlling him

Gratsch kicks off Paalio II and gets to his feet.
Gratsch has his takedown stuffed

and Paalio II moves into the clinch.
Paalio II goes for a takedown attempt but Gratsch pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Gratsch dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gratsch has his takedown stuffed

and Paalio II holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nes Gratsch. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gratsch pulls guard effortlessly.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Paalio II with a nice head shot there.
Paalio II prevents Gratsch from getting back to his feet.
Paalio II looking to pass the guard.
Gratsch trying to strike off his back.
Paalio II missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gratsch wants to sweep but no luck.

Paalio II thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Gratsch looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Paalio II shoots for a takedown but Gratsch saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Gratsch connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Gratsch catches Paalio II with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Paalio II shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Paalio II was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Gratsch slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Gratsch is defending against the submission attempts here by Paalio II.
Paalio II thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gratsch wants to get back to his feet.

Paalio II looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Paalio II stops Gratsch from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Paalio II looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Gratsch flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Gratsch is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Paalio II pulls his head out easily.

Paalio II is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Gratsch doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Paalio II.
Gratsch is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Paalio II's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Paalio II's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Aalio Paalio II will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gratsch misses with an uppercut.
Gratsch throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Paalio II uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gratsch.
Decent striking displayed by Gratsch there.
Gratsch is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Paalio II.
A jab from Gratsch misses.
Gratsch throws a series of punches but Paalio II moves out of range.
Aalio Paalio II is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Paalio II misses with a takedown
and Gratsch counters with a two punch combo.

Paalio II bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Paalio II tries for a kimura but Gratsch is defending well.
Paalio II in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gratsch tries to buck Paalio II off but Paalio II is having none of it.

Paalio II tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Paalio II has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Gratsch wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Paalio II avoids the strikes from the bottom by Gratsch.

Paalio II tries for a kimura but Gratsch is defending well.
Paalio II working the ground and pound.

Paalio II is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gratsch has escaped the position, nice work there.

Paalio II working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gratsch is looking for a sweep.
Gratsch takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Paalio II working the ground and pound but Gratsch is defending the strikes.

Paalio II thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Gratsch tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Paalio II wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The strikes coming from Paalio II are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Gratsch is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paalio II is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gratsch has escaped the position, nice work there.

Gratsch bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Paalio II takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Gratsch throws a looping overhand right but Paalio II ducks down to avoid it.
Gratsch misses with a wild combination.

Paalio II shoots in and bounces Gratsch off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Paalio II thows a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Paalio II thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Paalio II drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Paalio II jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Gratsch looking to hit a scissor sweep but Paalio II is one step ahead there.

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

Paalio II escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gratsch gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Gratsch decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Paalio II, up you get!
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 Nes Gratsch will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A big right from Gratsch misses.
Paalio II ducks under a wild hook from Gratsch.
Gratsch cracks Paalio II with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Gratsch fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Paalio II manages to avoid it.
Paalio II fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Paalio II uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gratsch.

Gratsch gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Gratsch looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Paalio II stops Gratsch from standing up.
Gratsch looking to hit a scissor sweep but Paalio II is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gratsch avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gratsch wants to sweep here but Paalio II controlling him for the moment.
Paalio II landing with the ground and pound.

Paalio II 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.
Paalio II postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Paalio II 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.
Paalio II is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gratsch is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gratsch tries to free his leg and advance position but Paalio II is retaining full guard.

Paalio II throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Gratsch thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Paalio II has his foot on Gratsch's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gratsch works his way back into a safe position though.

Paalio II looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Gratsch drops back looking for a leg! Paalio II is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Paalio II manages to kick Gratsch off! Gratsch jumps back into Paalio II's guard.
Gratsch throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Paalio II lands a good elbow from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gratsch scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Paalio II is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gratsch has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Paalio II thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Gratsch drops back looking for a leg! Paalio II is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Paalio II manages to kick Gratsch off! Gratsch jumps back into Paalio II's guard.
Paalio II has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gratsch wants to pass the guard but Paalio II is keeping the position.
Paalio II striking from his own guard.

Paalio II working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gratsch doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gratsch manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gratsch wants to pass the guard but Paalio II is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paalio II striking off his back but it's not causing Gratsch any problems.
Aalio Paalio II has got the better of the ground game so far.
Paalio II throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Gratsch is sitting in close to Paalio II's body. Paalio II has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Gratsch is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Gratsch is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Paalio II.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:33 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Aalio Paalio II!
Aalio Paalio II is the new super heavyweight champion!