PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jack Bratts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gary Groper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bratts
vs
Groper

192 cm
24
204 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

185 cm
23
198 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Jack Bratts!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Gary Groper!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Chris Edwards and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bratts scores with a one two! Groper had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Bratts just misses with a punch to the body.
Groper takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Bratts moves into the clinch.
Bratts landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Bratts wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Bratts lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Groper or not.
Groper has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Bratts is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Groper tries for a takedown but Bratts manages to get underhooks.
Bratts lands an elbow that stopped Groper in his tracks for a moment.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A knee to the head by Bratts.
Bratts controlling the action here for a moment.
Bratts scores a nice knee to the body.
Groper looks gassed!
Groper goes for a takedown attempt but Bratts pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Jack Bratts has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gary Groper.
Groper wants to clinch.
Groper avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bratts tries to clinch up

and Groper counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Bratts's guard now.
Bratts wants to get back to his feet but Groper is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Bratts striking off his back but it's not causing Groper any problems.
Groper missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Groper postures up.
Groper has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Groper throwing strikes from guard but Bratts blocks nicely.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bratts working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Bratts tries to clinch

and Groper counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Groper prevents Bratts from standing back up.
Bratts won't allow Groper to pass to mount.
Bratts wants to get back to his feet.
Groper trying to pass the guard but Bratts defending well.
Bratts wants to control but Groper is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Groper thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Groper throwing shots but Bratts is blocking nicely.

Bratts pushes Groper off and gets back to his feet.
Groper avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Groper looking for a takedown.
Bratts softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Bratts gets underhooks to prevent Groper's takedown attempt.

Bratts breaks the clinch.
Bratts wants to clinch
and Groper cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bratts lands a head shot.
A good leg kick by Bratts.
Bratts darts in trying to clinch

and Groper counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Bratts's guard now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Groper drops back looking for a leg! Bratts is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Bratts manages to kick Groper off! Groper jumps back into Bratts's guard.
Bratts wants to stand and escape but Groper is having none of it.

Groper has gone for a leg lock! Bratts slips out almost immediately though and dives into Groper's guard.

Groper working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bratts doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bratts manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bratts with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bratts is in close to Groper's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Groper trying to strike off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bratts misses the shot to the body.

Bratts gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Bratts.
Bratts taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Bratts is pressed up against the cage. Groper has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Bratts down to the mat. Bratts avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Bratts throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Groper.
Jack Bratts seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Bratts clinches.
Bratts is trying to break the clinch but Groper has him pressed against the cage.
Bratts wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Groper has him pressed against the cage.
Groper has Bratts pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Bratts manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Bratts throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gropers head.
Bratts using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Bratts looking to throw knees to the head but Groper is blocking nicely.
Bratts is pressed up against the cage. Groper has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Bratts down to the mat. Bratts avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Jack Bratts has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gary Groper.
Bratts lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Groper at a distance.
Groper is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bratts tries to clinch but Groper moves away

and Groper counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Bratts's guard now.
Bratts trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bratts trying to keep a closed guard but Groper is proving a slippery customer.
Bratts is adopting a defensive guard.
Groper loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bratts trying to strike off his back.
Bratts lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Groper!
Groper is trying desperately to improve position.
Groper manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Groper flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

Groper is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Bratts pulls his head out easily.
Bratts not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Bratts stands up out of the half guard.

Groper shoots in and bounces Bratts off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Groper passes Bratts's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Groper is nestled in close to Bratts, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Groper not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Groper is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bratts moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Groper throwing strikes from guard but Bratts blocks nicely.
Bratts striking off his back but it's not causing Groper any problems.
Groper working some strikes from top position.
Bratts utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Groper stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bratts swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Bratts trying to stand up but can't free himself from Groper's guard.

Groper looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Bratts throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Groper works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Groper looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Bratts passes into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bratts takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Bratts is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Groper has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Groper looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bratts tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bratts looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bratts wants to clinch up but Groper keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bratts is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

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

Groper seems to be working for a kimura but Bratts defends the submission attempt.
Gary Groper has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bratts manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Bratts closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Bratts misses with a knee to the head.

Bratts's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bratts misses with a looping right.
Bratts swings for the body but Groper moves out of range.
Bratts throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bratts fails in his attempt to clinch.

Groper looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Groper is nestled in close to Bratts, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Groper is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Bratts doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Groper.
Groper thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bratts's head.
Bratts is looking to control Groper's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bratts avoid being mounted?

Groper is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Groper is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Bratts defends it well.
Bratts works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Groper throwing strikes from guard but Bratts blocks nicely.

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

Groper looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Bratts passes into side control.
Bratts trying to control the position but Groper is working away.

Bratts decides to stand up, so the ref orders Groper to his feet.
Bratts wants to clinch up but Groper keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bratts tries to clinch there but Groper circles away.
Bratts thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Groper if he has to take too many more of those.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bratts looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bratts fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Groper manages to avoid it.
Bratts tries to clinch but Groper moves out of range.
Groper closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bratts circles away.
Bratts tries to clinch but Groper is having none of it.
Bratts misses with a hook.
Jack Bratts is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bratts swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Jack Bratts did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Bratts's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bratts swinging wilding here.
Bratts moves in looking to clinch but Groper pushes him off.

Groper decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Groper seems to be looking for submissions.
Bratts is looking to escape.
Groper throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Groper connects with a nice short shot to Bratts's temple.
Bratts is trying to maintain the position but Groper is very close to passing his half guard.
Bratts is looking to improve his position.

Groper is looking for a kimura here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Groper 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.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Bratts actively working from the bottom here.

Groper is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Bratts tries to kick Groper off but Groper keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Groper wants to work for an arm triangle but Bratts is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

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

Bratts looking for submissions off his back.

Groper is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Bratts is just riding it out for now. Groper eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bratts kicks off Groper and gets to his feet.
Bratts fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jack Bratts is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Groper keeps the fight on the outside.

Groper closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Groper takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Bratts looks like he's trying to stand up.
Ground and pound from Groper.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Groper is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Bratts looks like he's trying to stand up.

Groper is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Groper wants to free his trapped foot but Bratts is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Groper is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Bratts is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Groper's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Groper's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gary Groper dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Bratts gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bratts wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Bratts wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Bratts using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Groper has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bratts.
Bratts landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Groper wants a takedown but no success here.
Bratts missing with knees to the body.
Bratts tries to land knees in the clinch but Groper avoids the damage to the body.
Groper wants a takedown but no success here.
Groper tries for a takedown. No joy.
Jack Bratts has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gary Groper.

Bratts breaks from the clinch.
Bratts is looking to land body kicks.
Groper circles away from the clinch attempt.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Groper scores a takedown into full mount!
Groper lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Groper punching from mount but Bratts doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Groper unloads with some shots from mount but Bratts bucks and avoids them well.
Groper is looking to work his way around to Bratts's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Bratts wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

Groper looking for a guillotine from mount but Bratts is having none of it.

Groper goes for an armbar but Bratts turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Bratts.

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.

Bratts gets to his feet - Groper follows without any prompting.
Groper has a takedown stuffed.
Bratts fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bratts throws a low kick, looking for Groper's leg but Groper calmly moves out of range.
Bratts cracks Groper with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Bratts misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bratts wants to clinch.
Bratts throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Groper stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Groper checks a leg kick.
Bratts misses with a body kick.
Bratts throws a right and a left that Groper avoids nicely.
Groper swats away the attempt to clinch by Bratts.
Bratts tries to clinch but Groper is having none of it.
Bratts looks to land a combination but Groper avoids it well.
Bratts is looking to clinch.
Bratts tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Groper paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bratts fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gary Groper has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Bratts throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Groper sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bratts fails in his attempt to clinch.
Jack Bratts is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bratts throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Groper misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bratts looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Groper uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bratts.
Groper avoids the head kick by Bratts.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Groper avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Groper blocks a head kick by Bratts.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bratts looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Bratts showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bratts has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 48:47
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 48:47
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Bratts!
Jack Bratts retains his light heavyweight title!