PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dwight Schrute (ranked 2103 p4p, 2219 weight class) and Dan Averescu (ranked 291 p4p, 305 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Schrute
vs
Averescu

183 cm
20
175
6 - 4 - 1

185 cm
27
170
7 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dwight Schrute!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dan Averescu!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Averescu pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Schrute instigates a clinch.
Schrute lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Averescu backwards.
Schrute tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Averescu avoids it.
Schrute has a couple of punches blocked by Averescu.
Schrute wants a takedown.
Schrute misses with a hook to the ribs.
Schrute throws a head punch that misses.
Averescu is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Averescu stops a takedown attempt from Schrute.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dwight Schrute. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Schrute has a couple of punches blocked by Averescu.
Schrute prevents Averescu from breaking the clinch.
Schrute throws a head punch that misses.
Schrute is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Averescu is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schrute has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Averescu is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Schrute goes for a takedown attempt but Averescu pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Dwight Schrute seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Schrute uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Averescu.
Averescu throws a shot from downtown. Schrute moves away and avoids it.
Schrute tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Averescu paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Averescu fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Schrute takes the fight into the clinch.
Schrute tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Averescu avoids it.

Averescu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Schrute tries to clinch but Averescu moves away
and Averescu counters with a nice uppercut.

Schrute takes the fight into the clinch.
Schrute prevents Averescu from breaking the clinch.
Averescu lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Averescu throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Averescu prevents the takedown attempt.
Schrute swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Averescu misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Schrute.
Averescu told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Averescu blocking some punches.
Averescu is trying to break free.
Averescu is trying to push Schrute away but Schrute has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Schrute working aggressively here.
I was talking to Schrute's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Schrute misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Averescu.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Schrute blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Schrute has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Averescu is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Schrute misses with a punch on the inside.
Schrute lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Averescu avoiding damage as Schrute throws knees to the body.
Schrute fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Averescu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Schrute keeps control of Averescu as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Averescu is trying to break free.
Schrute misses with a punch on the inside.
Averescu stalling in the clinch.
Schrute is looking to take this one to the mat.
Schrute lands a shoulder strike.
Schrute misses with a hook to the ribs.
Averescu blocks an uppercut.
Schrute is working for takedown but Averescu is calmly controlling the position for now.
Averescu blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Averescu escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Averescu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Schrute.
Schrute tries to clinch but Averescu is having none of it.
A shot to the liver by Averescu. Beautiful body shot.
Schrute throws a left and a right that both miss
and Averescu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Schrute moves into the clinch successfully.
Averescu blocking some punches.
Averescu tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Schrute's elbow.
Schrute is looking to take this one to the mat.
A head punch on the inside from Averescu fails to land.
Schrute working aggressively here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Averescu is trying to break free.
Schrute has Averescu pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Averescu manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Averescu avoiding damage as Schrute throws knees to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Dwight Schrute will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Schrute darts in trying to clinch
and Averescu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Schrute scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Schrute is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A little jabbing left from Averescu on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Schrute connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Averescu lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Averescu looks to score with a jab to the body but Schrute is just out of range.
Schrute misses with a shot to the body
and Averescu counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Averescu missing with a left hand there. Schrute was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Averescu lands a nice shot that snaps Schrute's head back.
Schrute tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Averescu manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Averescu drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A big right from Schrute misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schrute swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Schrute wants to clinch but Averescu slips to the side
and Averescu counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Averescu jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Schrute is looking to clinch but Averescu is avoiding it.
Averescu throws out a counter right but Schrute avoids it with no problem.
Schrute fails in his attempt to clinch.
It seemed like Averescu was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Schrute throws a hook to the side of Averescu's head but Averescu sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Averescu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Schrute.
Schrute closes the distance looking to clinch
enabling Averescu to counter with a crisp jab.
Schrute is looking to clinch but Averescu is avoiding it.
A little jabbing left from Averescu on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Schrute looks to land a left hand but Averescu moved out of range nicely.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Schrute misses with a lunging right hand
and Averescu counters with a straight right hand.
Averescu misses with a straight left.
Schrute lands a head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schrute is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Schrute tries to clinch but Averescu moves out of range.
Schrute moves out of range as Averescu strikes.
Schrute scores with a shot to the body.
Schrute throws a right and a left that both miss.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A telegraphed right hand from Averescu misses the target.
Averescu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Schrute.
Schrute defending well as Averescu loads up on a big left hand.
Schrute throws an overhand right that lands on Averescu's shoulder, as Averescu tries to avoid the shot.
Nice shot lands for Schrute.
Schrute jabs Averescu right on the nose. Averescu blinks but takes it well.
Schrute keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Averescu.
Schrute fails to land with a series of punches.
It seemed like Averescu was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Schrute misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schrute looks to clinch
letting Averescu counter with a right hand.
Schrute walks into a left hand.
Schrute tries to clinch up but Averescu circles away and keeps his distance.
It seemed like Averescu was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Averescu thows a left - swing and a miss!
Schrute throwing a counter right hand but Averescu manages to avoid it.
Schrute tries to clinch up
and Averescu counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Schrute tries to close the distance and clinch up but Averescu swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Averescu works the jab nicely.

Schrute moves into the clinch successfully.
Averescu gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Schrute.
Schrute softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Averescu tries a knee to the head but Schrute blocks it.
Averescu looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Schrute swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Averescu gets underhooks to prevent Schrute's takedown attempt.
Averescu blocking some punches.
A hook to the body from Averescu.
Schrute tries to land knees in the clinch but Averescu avoids the damage to the body.
Schrute has a couple of punches blocked by Averescu.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Averescu is looking to break free of the clinch but Schrute has double underhooks.
Schrute misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Averescu.
Averescu stops a takedown attempt from Schrute.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dan Averescu will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Averescu cracks a nice hook into Schrute's ribs.
Averescu misses the jab.
Schrute tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Averescu manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Schrute is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Averescu throws a body punch but Schrute moves out of range.
Averescu circles away from the clinch attempt
and Averescu counters with a straight right hand.
Schrute tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Averescu manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Schrute misses with a right hand
and Averescu counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Schrute blocks a jab.
Schrute misses with an uppercut. Averescu saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Averescu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Schrute.
Averescu misses with a lunging right hand
and Schrute counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Averescu lands a head shot.
Schrute throws a lazy uppercut
and Averescu counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Averescu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Schrute was well out of range. Poor timing from Averescu.
Schrute swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Schrute tries to clinch but Averescu is having none of it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Averescu! But no joy.
Averescu takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Schrute doesn't manage to clinch there - Averescu circles away.
Averescu looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Averescu fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Averescu tries to keep at a distance but Schrute has taken the fight into the clinch.
Schrute goes for a takedown attempt but Averescu pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Schrute tries to clinch
and Averescu counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Schrute wants to clinch.
A little jabbing left from Averescu on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Averescu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Schrute was well out of range. Poor timing from Averescu.

Schrute moves into range and clinches up with Averescu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Averescu is trying to push Schrute away but Schrute has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Averescu is trying to break the clinch but Schrute is controlling him.
Schrute goes for a takedown attempt but Averescu pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Averescu keeps the fight on the outside.
Schrute's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Averescu connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Schrute scrambles back to his feet.
Schrute closes the distance but Averescu moves to the side
and Averescu counters with a straight right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Schrute throws a right hand that misses
and Averescu counters with a straight right hand.
Averescu slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Averescu moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Dan Averescu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Schrute uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Averescu.
Schrute tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Averescu paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Schrute tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Averescu tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schrute fails with an attempt to clinch.
Schrute throws an overhand right that lands on Averescu's shoulder, as Averescu tries to avoid the shot.
Schrute misses with a right hand
and Schrute takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Averescu connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Schrute works Averescu's body with a nice hook.
Schrute closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Schrute tries to close the distance and clinch but Averescu swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Schrute looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Averescu misses with a body shot.
Averescu dodges the punch combination from Schrute.
Schrute tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Schrute walks into a jab.
Schrute misses with a lunging right hand
and Averescu connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schrute tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Averescu counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A looping hook to the body misses from Averescu. Schrute does a little dance to reset his feet.
A little feinted left hand from Schrute on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Schrute misses with a left hand
letting Averescu counter with a right hand.
Schrute looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Averescu scores with a jab to the body.
Schrute moves in looking to clinch but Averescu pushes him off.
It seemed like Averescu was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Averescu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Schrute.
Averescu looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Averescu swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A little feinted left hand from Schrute on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Schrute tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Averescu manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Schrute scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Averescu doesn't seem bothered though.
Schrute moves in looking to clinch but Averescu pushes him off.
Averescu cracks Schrute with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Schrute fails with an attempt to clinch.
Schrute looks to clinch
and Averescu counters with a stiff right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan Averescu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Averescu 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Dan Averescu!
After the fight, Dan Averescu was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.