Dean Garnett nearly scores submission, settles for decision to earn semifinal spot

Dean Garnett is a grappling specialist and a 16-fight pro veteran, having fought professionally for 15 years now. Garnett, who once fought in Bellator, is 12-3-1 as a pro, with eight finishes to his name. Garnett rode a four-fight win streak into his PFL Europe debut this past September, where he was knocked out by Lewis McGrillen.

Tuomas Gronvall is a striking specialist who has become dangerous on the ground as well, known for pressure grappling and chain wrestling. Gronvall, who has also fought once for Bellator, is known for his ability to exhaust and wear down opponents. Gronvall made his PFL Europe debut in June 2024, losing to Khurshed Kakhorov.

Which of these two will move on to the next round in the PFL Europe bantamweight bracket?

Round 1

Right hand from Garnett. Front kick from Gronvall. One-two from Garnett. Gronvall with a level change, but Garnett prevents it and gets a hold of the neck, landing a pair of knees. Strong right hand from Garnett. Front kick from Gronvall. Gronvall tries for another takedown, but Garnett scrambles and gets right to Gronvall’s back. Garnett now has the cradle position. Back to the feet, and Gronvall pressures Garnett to the fence. Garnett grabs the neck and gets a guillotine locked in! Gronvall trying to get out of it. Gronvall says he’s okay; it looks like his neck has a bit of space. Garnett squeezes even more, and Gronvall can feel it. Gronvall punches to try and escape, and he eventually does with two minutes to go in the round.

Gronvall now tries to get on top, but Garnett throws up his guard and closes it. Gronvall looks to work his way to the back. Knee to the legs by Gronvall. Garnett trying to build up. Gronvall now gets to Garnett’s back. He rides too high, and Garnett escapes. Garnett with some ground strikes. Gronvall gets him off, and he now gets back on top. Gronvall has an arm around Garnett’s neck with Garnett seated near the fence.

Round 2

Front kick from Gronvall misses. Gronvall circling on the outside. Exchange between the two. Gronvall tries for a body lock, but Garnett escapes it. Low kick from Gronvall. Left hand from Garnett. Right hand from Garnett. One-two from Gronvall. Front kick from Gronvall. Gronvall comes in, but Garnett reverses the momentum and gets Gronvall down briefly. Gronvall is back up, but he’s right against the fence with Garnett on him. Garnett returns him to the mat. Garnett lands several punches.

Left hands from Garnett. Garnett appears to be on the back now – but only briefly. Garnett lands several left hands to the head. Gronvall’s back up on his feet, but Garnett is still on his back. Gronvall with a kimura grip as the action returns down to the mat. Gronvall escapes. Straights from both men. Right hand by Gronvall. Strong right overhand by Garnett. Front kick by Gronvall, and a one-two from Garnett. Garnett presses Gronvall into the fence, looking for another takedown. Gronvall escapes and attacks with a knee to the body. Garnett goes in, and Gronvall sprawls again. Gronvall looks to be near side control. Gronvall now in the half-guard. Left hands from Gronvall. Gronvall with an elbow before the horn.

Round 3

Left hands from Gronvall. Feint of a knee and a Superman punch by Garnett. Front kick by Gronvall. Garnett misses a sloppy combination. Right hand by Gronvall. Left hands from Gronvall. Garnett clinches and we have a brief battle before a separation. Gronvall with the forward pressure now. Another clinch in the center. Gronvall with some dirty boxing, and Garnett throws a knee. Gronvall presses Garnett into the fence. Garnett with an inside trip takedown. Garnett scrambles to the back as Gronvall gets back to his feet. Garnett presses Gronvall to the fence and returns him to the floor.

Gronvall works his way to the top position. Garnett tries to get a choke going from the bottom position but can’t get much going. Gronvall moves into side control, landing several punches. Right hands from Gronvall. Gronvall traps one of Garnett’s arms, but Garnett gets it back. Gronvall is continuing to pressure on a fatigued Garnett. Gronvall works in half-guard, landing a couple of shots to Garnett’s side. Gronvall gets up, avoiding upkicks from Garnett. Garnett lands one. Gronvall gets on top and lands a couple of punches from mount before the horn.

OFFICIAL RESULT

Dean Garnett def. Tuomas Gronvall via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)