PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shaun Swagger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wilfried Handel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Swagger kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Amazing. Wilfried Handel will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Swagger
vs
Handel

193 cm
24
185 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

185 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Shaun Swagger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Wilfried Handel!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, William Gold and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Swagger forces Handel back against the cage and clinches.
Swagger avoiding damage.
Handel goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Swagger taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Swagger lands a right hand that snaps the head of Handel backwards.

Swagger breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Swagger gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Handel.
Handel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Swagger pushes Handel up against the cage in a clinch.

Swagger breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Handel misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Swagger uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Handel.

Swagger changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Handel looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Swagger lands a nice forearm strike.

It looks like Wilfried Handel has been cut.
Swagger gets to mount! Handel was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Handel is working to get back to half guard.
Swagger looking to control but Handel is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Handel is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Handel is trying to reverse the position but instead Swagger has taken his back - oops!
Handel is taking damage to the body and head.
Handel trying to control the position but Swagger manages to sink in the hooks.

Swagger tightening his grip on Handel, looking for the choke.
Swagger knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Handel on the ground.
Swagger slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Swagger seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Handel for as long as he can get away with.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Handel's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Handel manages to reverse the position and now he's in Swagger's guard. Nice work there by Handel.
Swagger keeping full guard, as Handel tries to pass.
Handel passes Swagger's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Swagger is breathing heavily.
Handel trying to control the action but Swagger is working from the bottom.

Handel is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Handel is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Swagger has managed to free his arm - good work.
Swagger moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Handel trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Handel tries to free his leg and advance position but Swagger is retaining full guard.
Handel is looking to stand up but Swagger won't let him.
Handel tries to free his leg and advance position but Swagger is retaining full guard.

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

Swagger is posturing up here but Handel has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Swagger tries to roll out but it's too tight and Swagger has to tap! Slick submission there by Handel!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Wilfried Handel!