PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Christopher Irwin (ranked 2872 p4p, 24030 weight class) and Duffy Fulcher (ranked 304 p4p, 527 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Irwin
vs
Fulcher

150 cm
25
148
1 - 0 - 0

179 cm
21
150
3 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Christopher Irwin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Duffy Fulcher!
The judges for this bout are Topper Green, Steve Erwin and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fulcher bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Irwin knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Fulcher on the ground.
Irwin manages to work his way to half guard, despite Fulcher's best efforts.
Irwin is looking to improve his position.

Fulcher is working for a submission of some sort.
The fighters are battling for position here. Irwin manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Irwin is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Iron mikes mma that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Irwin on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Irwin tries to get out of the position.
Irwin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fulcher is one step ahead there.
Irwin might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Fulcher thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Fulcher preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Irwin managing to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irwin 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.
Irwin looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Fulcher trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Irwin could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Irwin pulls Fulcher in close to prevent any damage.
Irwin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fulcher is one step ahead there.

Fulcher thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Irwin lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Irwin looking to pass the guard.
Irwin controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Fulcher had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Irwin defends it easily.
Fulcher can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Irwin controls the pace.
Irwin has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Irwin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irwin is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Fulcher looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Irwin slips nicely into half guard.

Fulcher looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Irwin is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Irwin wants to free his trapped foot but Fulcher is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Well, if Irwin is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Fulcher is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Irwin pulls his head out easily.
Irwin is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Fulcher is trying to get back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Irwin moves into full mount! Fulcher won't be happy about that!
Fulcher keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christopher Irwin dominated that 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.

Irwin bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Irwin staying calm.
Fulcher tries to bench press Irwin off him but Irwin keeps the position.
Irwin slows the pace down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fulcher tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irwin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fulcher can do to turn this around?
Fulcher being controlled for a moment.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Irwin.
Christopher Irwin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Irwin seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Fulcher for as long as he can get away with.
Fulcher is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Irwin is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Fulcher will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Fulcher is looking to reverse the position.
Irwin takes a little break here. Fulcher wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Irwin's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Further stalling from Irwin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
If it seems like I'm not saying a lot, it's just because Irwin is stinking the place up with his stalling.

Irwin has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Fulcher decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Irwin moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Irwin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fulcher looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Fulcher is trying to get back to full guard.

Fulcher looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Irwin works his way into full mount!
Fulcher is trying desperately to improve position.
Irwin controlling from the full mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Irwin moves to the back.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fulcher tries to escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christopher Irwin dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Irwin closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Irwin lands in his opponent's guard.
Fulcher being controlled here, momentarily.

Irwin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Fulcher has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Irwin has managed to get both his arms back between Fulcher's legs - danger averted.
Irwin advances position into side control!
Irwin slows the pace down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fulcher tries to bench press Irwin off him but Irwin keeps the position.
Irwin just content to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irwin continues to stall.

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.
Fulcher manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Fulcher looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Fulcher moves into full guard.
Irwin tries to free his leg and advance position but Fulcher is retaining full guard.
Irwin 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.
Irwin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Fulcher looking for a guillotine here but Irwin defends easily.
Fulcher has a closed guard, preventing Irwin from standing up.
Irwin slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fulcher is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Fulcher takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Irwin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Christopher Irwin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Irwin 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Irwin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Fulcher looking for a guillotine here but Irwin defends easily.
Fulcher can't keep his opponent in guard - Irwin advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Irwin passes the guard and advances to mount!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Irwin sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Duffy Fulcher has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Christopher Irwin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Irwin 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 Topper Green scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Christopher Irwin!
Christopher Irwin decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.