PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jaxon Williams (ranked 2353 p4p, 2215 weight class) and Thomas Carden (ranked 312 p4p, 297 weight class). Carden has chosen Simple Man as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Williams
vs
Carden

173 cm
19
160
4 - 0 - 0

174 cm
22
165
4 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jaxon Williams!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Thomas Carden!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Yves DeLean and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Carden fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Carden lands a body shot.
Carden scores with a jab to the head.
Carden lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Carden scores with a nice head shot.
Williams gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Williams shoots in but no luck this time.
Williams looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Carden looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Williams shoots in for a takedown but Carden shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jaxon Williams. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Carden scores with a jab to the body.
Carden thuds a left hand into Williams's body.
Williams has been working on his balance at Combat Wombat Burrow, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Carden.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Williams shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Carden napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Carden is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Carden takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Carden works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Carden keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Williams throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Carden to regain full guard.
Williams stops Carden from standing up.
Williams throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Carden works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Carden avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Carden has Williams pulled in close to control his posture.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Carden can do anything to dispel that myth.
Williams throws a strike but Carden rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Williams looking to hit a scissor sweep but Carden is one step ahead there.
Carden is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Williams has Carden pulled in close to control his posture.
Carden throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Williams keeping moving, preventing Carden from controlling successfully.
Carden missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Williams trying to control the position.
Carden is working Williams over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Williams avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Carden throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Carden accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Carden lands a couple of elbows.
Williams is trying to control the position but Carden postures up.
Carden throws a big right hand that misses.
Williams is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Carden has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Williams wants to sweep but no luck.
Williams not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Carden in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Carden has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Williams is landing a low percentage of strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carden stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Williams fails with the takedown
and Carden makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Williams takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Carden catches Williams with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Good shot there by Carden.
Williams with a lazy takedown attempt
and Carden counters with a left and a right that stings Williams.
Williams on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Carden scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Williams takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Carden with a jab.
Carden lands a nice shot that snaps Williams's head back.
Carden lands with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carden connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Williams momentarily.
Carden with a nice cross.
Carden misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Jab, jab by Carden - just one landing.
Carden comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Williams takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Carden lands with a nice body punch.
Williams shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Carden as he jumps to the side.
Carden uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Williams has time to react.
Williams fails to land the takedown.
It seemed like Carden was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Good shot there by Carden.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Carden dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Carden fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Williams looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
No luck for Williams with that takedown attempt.
Carden misses with a jab, cross combination.
Carden has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Williams takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Williams is trying hard to land a takedown here. Carden sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A little jabbing left from Carden on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Williams gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Carden connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jaxon Williams. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Williams moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Carden scores with a jab.
Thomas Carden seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Williams shoots in and drives through. Carden sprawls well.

Carden shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Williams manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Williams is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Carden trying to control but Williams is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams working a defensive guard here.
Williams seems keen to control Carden's posture.
Carden throwing strikes but missing.
Carden keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Williams's head.
Carden missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Carden missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Williams has Carden pulled in close to control his posture.
Williams 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.
Carden landing with the ground and pound.
Williams looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Thomas Carden has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two 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.
Carden is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Carden distracts Williams with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Carden trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Carden is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Williams tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Williams pulls Carden in to control the position.
Carden lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Carden makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Williams looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Carden postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Williams is pulling down on Carden's head to control his posture.
Carden working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Carden being controlled here momentarily.
Carden trying to control the position from guard on top but Williams is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Williams wants to sweep but no luck.
Williams lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Williams is looking to work some ground and pound but Carden has wrist control.
Carden manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Williams manages to get himself to full guard.

Carden throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Carden won't allow Williams to sweep him here.
Carden stays in close to Williams's body and controls the position.
Carden with a flurry of punches that miss.
Williams working a defensive guard here.
Carden missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Williams utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Carden throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carden preventing the sweep.
Carden loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Williams looking to control.
Carden scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Williams has his hands on Carden's head, controlling the position.
Williams 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.
Carden trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Carden won't allow Williams to sweep him here.
Carden showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Carden scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Thomas Carden seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Carden throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Williams was covering up waiting for the punch and Carden finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Carden postures up and lands a big shot to Williams's brow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Carden showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Carden is looking to clinch but Williams is avoiding it.
Carden dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Williams closes this distance looking for a takedown but Carden circles away.
Carden bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Carden sizes up Williams with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Williams fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Carden avoids it really well and circles away.
Williams shoots and misses
and Williams takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jaxon Williams. 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.
Williams takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Carden moves into range and clinches up with Williams.
Williams has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Carden is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Williams turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Carden throws Williams to one side and escapes!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Williams tries for a takedown but Carden circles away easily
and Carden counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Williams looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Carden tries to clinch but Williams is having none of it.
Williams half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Williams.
Williams takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Carden dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Carden listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A shot to the liver by Carden. Beautiful body shot.
Carden lands a jab.
Carden lands a jab to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Carden moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Williams takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Williams with a lazy takedown attempt
and Carden counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nice jab there from Carden.
Williams changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Carden tries to avoid it but Williams manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Carden to the ground. Carden escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Carden connects with a looping right hand.
Carden lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Williams is rocked!
Carden lands with a shot to the body.
Carden connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Oh Williams is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Carden scores with a nice strike.
Jab from Carden.
Carden works the jab nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carden connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Carden connects with a right hand. Williams shakes it off.
Williams shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Carden lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Williams tries to score a power double leg takedown but Carden sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Williams somewhat.
Williams shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Carden uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Williams has time to react.
Carden stuns Williams with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Williams seems to have got his legs back now.
Carden lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williams looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Williams gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Williams takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Carden connects with a right hand. Williams shakes it off.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Williams.
Carden lands with a straight right. Williams didn't see that one coming.
Jab, jab by Carden - just one landing.
Thomas Carden is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Carden throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Williams drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Jaxon Williams has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Carden lands a jab to the nose.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Carden comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Carden has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 26:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 26:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Carden!
Post fight, Thomas Carden stared into the camera and said 'Man that boy was talking a bunch of crap before this fight. But I came out here and showed his ass how we country boys do it. Line me up another one. Yeehaaw!'.