PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Riley Wangstaff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Common Grassroot (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Riley Wangstaff has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Wangstaff
vs
Grassroot

200 cm
20
213 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
215 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Riley Wangstaff!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Common Grassroot!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Taro Takaoka and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wangstaff shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Grassroot as he avoids it easily.
Wangstaff shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Grassroot shoots in and drives through. Wangstaff sprawls well.
Wangstaff displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Grassroot throws out the jab.

Wangstaff moves into the clinch.
Wangstaff connects with a nasty looking knee right to Grassroot's face.

It looks like Common Grassroot has been cut.
Grassroot tries to pull guard but Wangstaff holds him up against the cage and eventually Grassroot drops back down to his feet.
Wangstaff lands an elbow that stopped Grassroot in his tracks for a moment.
Wangstaff comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Grassroot has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Wangstaff avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Riley Wangstaff has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Common Grassroot.
Wangstaff tries to land a knee to the head but Grassroot blocks with his arms.

Grassroot breaks from the clinch.
Grassroot closes the distance looking to clinch

and Wangstaff holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Grassroot has Wangstaff pushed against the cage.
Wangstaff throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Grassroot blocks it with crossed arms.
Grassroot tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Grassroot takes a knee right on the jaw!
Wangstaff avoiding damage as Grassroot throws knees to the body.
Wangstaff tries to land a knee to the head but Grassroot blocks with his arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grassroot takes an elbow to the temple.

Grassroot manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Wangstaff avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Wangstaff avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Grassroot looks gassed!
Grassroot trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Grassroot wants to stand up but Wangstaff is controlling him.

Wangstaff stands and steps away. Grassroot gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Wangstaff with a lazy takedown attempt
and Grassroot counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Wangstaff has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wangstaff on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Wangstaff lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Wangstaff looking to throw knees to the head but Grassroot is blocking nicely.
Grassroot fails to pull guard.
Grassroot drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Wangstaff gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Grassroot stalling in the clinch but Wangstaff improves position.
Wangstaff lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Grassroot is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Wangstaff with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Wangstaff tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Grassroot wants to break free but Wangstaff has control.
Grassroot tries a knee to the head but Wangstaff blocks it.
Wangstaff lands an elbow inside that Grassroot shrugs off.
Wangstaff throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Wangstaff creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Wangstaff with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Grassroot lands a shot to the body.
Grassroot can't get the takedown.

Grassroot breaks from the clinch.

Grassroot has taken the fight to the clinch.

Grassroot jumps guard.

Grassroot wriggles free and stands up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Grassroot gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Grassroot manages to pull guard.
Grassroot looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Wangstaff prevents Grassroot from getting back to his feet.
Wangstaff being controlled here momentarily.

Grassroot looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
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 Riley Wangstaff will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Common Grassroot's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Grassroot closes the distance and clinches.
Grassroot working aggressively here.
Grassroot stalling.
Wangstaff connects with a knee to the head.
Wangstaff misses with an elbow strike.

Grassroot pulls guard effortlessly.
Grassroot has control of Wangstaff's left arm, preventing Wangstaff from doing any damage.
Wangstaff won't allow Grassroot to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Wangstaff gets to his feet - Grassroot follows without any prompting.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Grassroot shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Grassroot was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Grassroot swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Wangstaff is now in Grassroot's guard. A big mistake from Grassroot there, giving up the dominant position!
Wangstaff will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Wangstaff decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Wangstaff takes the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grassroot is looking to break free of the clinch but Wangstaff has double underhooks.
Wangstaff with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Grassroot creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A knee to the head by Wangstaff.
Grassroot looking to slow down the pace here.
Grassroot tries to score a body lock takedown but Wangstaff shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Wangstaff landing knees to the head.
Grassroot blocks an elbow strike from Wangstaff.

Grassroot has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Wangstaff uses from the top position.
Grassroot looking for a sweep. Not yet Grassroot, not yet.
Grassroot looking to control.

Grassroot has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Wangstaff can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grassroot tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Grassroot controls Wangstaff momentarily but Wangstaff frees himself.

Grassroot uses the cage to get back to his feet.

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.

Grassroot has taken the fight to the clinch.
Grassroot jumps guard but Wangstaff stands there with Grassroot around his waist. Grassroot gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Grassroot fails to pull guard.
Riley Wangstaff has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Common Grassroot.
A knee to the head by Wangstaff.

Grassroot gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Grassroot is keen to just control but Wangstaff is a slippery customer.
Grassroot passes the guard and advances to mount!

Grassroot wants to finish this one by submission but Wangstaff is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Grassroot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Common Grassroot showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Common Grassroot's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Wangstaff with a lazy takedown attempt
and Grassroot counters with a nice uppercut.
Grassroot fails with a takedown attempt.
Grassroot shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Wangstaff as he avoids it easily.
Wangstaff ducks under a wild hook from Grassroot.
Nice takedown defense from Wangstaff. No joy for Grassroot on that attempt.
Riley Wangstaff has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Common Grassroot.
Grassroot stuffs the takedown attempt from Wangstaff. Wangstaff gets slowly back to his feet.
Grassroot tries for a takedown but Wangstaff sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wangstaff stuffs the takedown attempt from Grassroot. Grassroot gets slowly back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wangstaff tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Grassroot counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Wangstaff keeping moving, preventing Grassroot from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grassroot is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Grassroot's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Grassroot has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Wangstaff is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Grassroot with a flurry of punches that miss.
Grassroot wanted to stand there but Wangstaff had control of the position.
Common Grassroot has got the better of the ground game so far.
Grassroot is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Grassroot looking to sit in guard and control but Wangstaff gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grassroot is trying to keep Wangstaff in close.

Wangstaff decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Grassroot, up you get!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Wangstaff rushes Grassroot and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Wangstaff throws an elbow that misses.
Wangstaff with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Wangstaff looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Wangstaff misses with an elbow over the top.
Grassroot has had enough of the clinch but Wangstaff keeps him there for the moment.
Wangstaff lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Wangstaff lands an elbow that stopped Grassroot in his tracks for a moment.
Grassroot missing with knees to the body.
Wangstaff gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Grassroot breaks the clinch.
Grassroot fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Wangstaff tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Grassroot holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Grassroot wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Wangstaff has him pressed against the cage.
Grassroot holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Grassroot can't break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Common Grassroot comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Grassroot 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Common Grassroot!