PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between James Polk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Asher Morris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Polk
vs
Morris

178 cm
20
184 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

186 cm
25
182 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Solid chin

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Polk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Asher Morris!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Robert Douchet and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morris fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Polk avoids it really well and circles away.
Morris has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Polk finds it's way round the side to connect with Morris's head.

It looks like Asher Morris has been cut.
Polk stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Morris avoids a punch combination nicely.
Polk misses with an uppercut.
A big right from Polk misses.
Polk throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Morris sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Morris shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Polk as he jumps to the side.
Polk connects with a single shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Polk will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Polk throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Morris shoots in for a double leg but Polk sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
James Polk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Asher Morris.
Polk misses with an uppercut. Morris saw that one coming.
Morris uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Polk.
A big right from Polk misses.
Polk throws a hook but Morris avoids it easily.
Polk fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Polk misses with a wild body shot.
Polk throws a jab when Morris was well out of range.

Polk drops Morris with a beautiful combination! Morris stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Polk is looking for the KO!
Morris shoots in but no luck this time.
Polk throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Morris shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Polk pinned against the cage. Polk gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A telegraphed right hand from Polk misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Polk jabbing away but nothing is landing.
James Polk is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Morris walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That has opened up Asher Morris's cut even more.
Morris defending well as Polk loads up on a big left hand.
Polk throws a series of punches but Morris moves out of range.
Polk slaps away a takedown attempt from Morris, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Morris has a takedown stuffed.
Polk misses the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morris staying out of range there.
Morris is trying desperately to land a takedown but Polk is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Morris.
Morris shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Polk but Polk pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Polk throws the left hand but Morris avoids the punch easily.

Morris closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Morris lands in his opponent's guard.

Morris postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Polk is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Morris, into his guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Morris wants to get back to his feet but Polk is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Polk dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Asher Morris's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Morris ducks under a wild hook from Polk.

Morris looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Morris is trying to work for a kimura but Polk is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Polk is defending against the submission attempts here by Morris.

Morris is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Morris is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morris with the ground and pound but Polk uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Polk tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Polk is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Morris trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Morris postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Polk is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Morris, into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Morris is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Morris had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Polk is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Morris Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Polk's back instead.

Morris looking for the RNC.

That's four 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.
Polk just trying to survive but Morris is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Polk tries to escape the position.

Polk is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Morris gets his way!
Morris doesn't have the hooks in and Polk manages to turn into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Asher Morris showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Asher Morris's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

A telegraphed right hand from Polk misses the target.
Polk missing with a left hand there. Morris was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Polk throws a series of strikes that have Morris backpedaling.
Morris shoots in but Polk avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Morris fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Polk is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Morris's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Polk connects with a crisp jab.

The cut above Asher Morris's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Polk swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Morris throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Polk was covering up waiting for the punch and Morris finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Morris takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morris throws a strike but Polk rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Polk is looking to stand up but Morris won't let him.

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.

Polk defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Well, with Morris on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Polk is tapping out... Can he escape the position?

Polk fending off the submission attempt from Morris.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Polk manages to reverse the position and now he's in Morris's guard. Nice work there by Polk.
Morris is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Polk wants to stand but Morris is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Morris keeping moving, preventing Polk from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Polk showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Polk has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Polk!