PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Wei Chen (ranked 2312 p4p, 3216 weight class) and Desmond Gallagher (ranked 247 p4p, 323 weight class). Gallagher has chosen HIGH as his entrance music. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Chen
vs
Gallagher

180 cm
19
169
5 - 1 - 0

182 cm
19
169
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Pulling Guard
All-Star Apparel

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Wei Chen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Desmond Gallagher!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Hirohito Nitta and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Chen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gallagher defends it nicely.
Gallagher looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Gallagher scores with a hook to the body. Chen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Chen tries for a takedown but Gallagher circles away easily
and Gallagher counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gallagher scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Chen closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Gallagher is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Chen trying to control the position but Gallagher is working away.
Gallagher felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chen working the head with strikes.

Chen looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Gallagher is looking to regain half guard here but Chen keeps moving and retains side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Chen is working Gallagher over with some ground and pound from side control.
Chen scoring with punches from side control.
Check out the look on Chen's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Gallagher regains half guard.
Chen working Gallagher over with strikes.
Chen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Gallagher is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Chen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gallagher does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gallagher is trying to stand back up but Chen is controlling him
Gallagher is trying to get back to full guard.
Gallagher moves into full guard.
Chen working some strikes from top position.
Chen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Chen definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Gallagher looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Chen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Chen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gallagher is trying to control the position but Chen postures up.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Chen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Chen distracts Gallagher with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

Chen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gallagher tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Chen trying to control the position from guard on top but Gallagher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gallagher is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Chen has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Chen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Gallagher's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Gallagher's back!
Chen keeps control of the position as Gallagher tries to break free.
Chen scores with punches to the body.

Chen looking to break Gallagher's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Gallagher remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Chen will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Chen lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.

Gallagher is rocked!
Gallagher is trying to remain composed but Chen is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Gallagher is still in real trouble! Can Chen finish him?
Gallagher breaks Chen's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Chen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chen is looking to work some ground and pound but Gallagher has wrist control.
Gallagher seems to have recovered his senses.
Chen working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gallagher's head.
Chen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Chen is working Gallagher over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Gallagher has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Chen off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Gallagher looks to land a combination but Chen avoids it well.
Sloppy strikes from Chen. Those never looked like landing.
Chen lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Nice sprawl there from Gallagher as Chen shoots in.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Gallagher! But no joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wei Chen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gallagher gets caught napping as Chen dives in and scores a takedown. Gallagher manages to retain guard.

Chen thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Chen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Wei Chen dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Chen misses with a hook.
Gallagher is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Chen with a body shot.
Nice takedown defense from Gallagher. No joy for Chen on that attempt.
It seemed like Gallagher was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Chen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Chen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gallagher's waist but Gallagher gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Chen off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wei Chen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chen darts in looking for a takedown but Gallagher gets double underhooks and turns Chen into the cage.
Gallagher presses Chen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Gallagher scores with a shot to the side of Chen's head.
Gallagher lands a body shot.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Gallagher pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gallagher ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gallagher fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Chen manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chen darts in looking for a takedown but Gallagher gets double underhooks and turns Chen into the cage.

Chen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gallagher swings for the body but Chen moves out of range.
Chen attempts a counter takedown but Gallagher avoids it well and moves away.
Chen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gallagher as he jumps to the side.
Gallagher tries a quick counter leg kick but Chen is wise to it.

Chen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Chen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gallagher works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gallagher is on top in guard.

Gallagher must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Gallagher trying to control the position from guard on top but Chen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gallagher is pushing down on Chen's leg trying to pass to half guard. Chen is fighting to maintain full guard but Gallagher has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gallagher tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Chen.
Gallagher is trying to control the action in half guard but Chen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Chen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Gallagher tries to free his leg and advance position but Chen is retaining full guard.
Chen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Chen tries to get out of the position.
Chen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Gallagher looking to pass the guard.
Gallagher is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gallagher's guard.

Chen stopping the sweep attempt from Gallagher.
Chen is working Gallagher over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Chen wants to control from the top but Gallagher keeps moving.

Chen 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.
Gallagher wants to sweep but no luck.
Gallagher is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Chen trying to control the position from guard on top but Gallagher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Chen drops back, looking for a kneebar! Gallagher looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Gallagher looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Gallagher!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Chen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Gallagher working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Chen manages to get back to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Chen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chen seems keen to control Gallagher's posture.
Chen throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Desmond Gallagher showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Chen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gallagher as he jumps to the side.
It seemed like Gallagher was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Chen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gallagher sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Chen tries for a takedown but Gallagher sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gallagher swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wei Chen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gallagher defends it nicely.
Chen tries for a takedown but Gallagher sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Gallagher! But no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chen doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gallagher counters with a stiff right hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gallagher scores with a nice head shot.

Chen shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Gallagher manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chen preventing the sweep.
Gallagher looking to control but Chen passes into half guard.
Gallagher is trying to get back to full guard.
Chen working over Gallagher with some ground and pound. Gallagher looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Gallagher is trying to get back to full guard.
Gallagher trying to control from the bottom.
Chen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Gallagher makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gallagher.
Gallagher bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Chen's guard.

Chen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chen stands up over Gallagher, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Chen tries to free his leg and advance position but Gallagher is retaining full guard.
Gallagher lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Chen controlling the position.
Gallagher wants to pass the guard but Chen is keeping the position.
Chen has control of Gallagher's left arm, preventing Gallagher from doing any damage.
Chen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gallagher is one step ahead there.
Gallagher tries to free his leg and advance position but Chen is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chen looking to control.
Gallagher has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Chen is proving hard to escape from.
Gallagher looking to pass the guard.
Chen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gallagher is one step ahead there.
Gallagher being controlled here momentarily.

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.
Chen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gallagher is controlling him.
Gallagher looking to pass the guard.
Chen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gallagher is one step ahead there.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Chen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Gallagher counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Gallagher staying out of range there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chen misses with a leg kick
and Gallagher connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Chen throws a body punch but Gallagher moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Gallagher! But no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Desmond Gallagher comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gallagher 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Desmond Gallagher!
Desmond Gallagher decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.