PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Michael Bonnie Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eric Batcher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Bonnie Jr
vs
Batcher

200 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Bonnie Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eric Batcher!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, John Roberts and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Batcher throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bonnie Jr's waist but Bonnie Jr gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Batcher off to one side.
Batcher lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Batcher will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Batcher fails to land the takedown.
Michael Bonnie Jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Batcher.
Bonnie Jr wants to clinch up but Batcher keeps it at a distance.
Bonnie Jr feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Batcher's calf.
Good standup being displayed there by Batcher as he connects with a hook.
Bonnie Jr doesn't manage to clinch there - Batcher circles away.
Bonnie Jr feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Batcher's calf.
Batcher keeps the fight on the outside.
Batcher swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A left and a right from Batcher both land. Nice combination.
Bonnie Jr scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Bonnie Jr is looking to clinch but Batcher is avoiding it.
Bonnie Jr is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bonnie Jr has Batcher up against the cage in a clinch.

Bonnie Jr's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Batcher shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bonnie Jr is looking to clinch but Batcher is avoiding it.
Bonnie Jr doesn't manage to clinch there - Batcher circles away.
A punch combination from Batcher misses.
Bonnie Jr wants to clinch.
Bonnie Jr tries to clinch up.
Bonnie Jr throws out a loose jab but Batcher uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bonnie Jr fails in his attempt to clinch.

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.
Batcher shoots for a takedown but Bonnie Jr saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Batcher tries to keep at a distance but Bonnie Jr has taken the fight into the clinch.
Batcher tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Bonnie Jr smiles and moves away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Batcher is defended easily by Bonnie Jr.
Bonnie Jr throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Bonnie Jr really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Batcher shoots in but no luck this time.
Batcher looks gassed!

Bonnie Jr closes the distance and clinches.

Bonnie Jr breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bonnie Jr tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonnie Jr is looking to clinch but Batcher is avoiding it.
Bonnie Jr dodges the punch combination from Batcher.
Batcher takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Bonnie Jr wants to clinch.
Bonnie Jr tries to close the distance and clinch up but Batcher swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Batcher takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bonnie Jr tries to close the distance and clinch but Batcher swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Eric Batcher seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bonnie Jr throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Batcher.
Bonnie Jr connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Bonnie Jr pushes Batcher up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bonnie Jr misses with a knee to the head.
Bonnie Jr using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Batcher has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Batcher tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Bonnie Jr just stands there and leans against the cage.
Bonnie Jr tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bonnie Jr scores with a knee to the head.
Batcher is trying to break free.
Bonnie Jr connects with a nasty looking knee right to Batcher's face.
Bonnie Jr tries to land knees in the clinch but Batcher avoids the damage to the body.
Bonnie Jr tries a knee to the head but Batcher blocks it.
Bonnie Jr has Batcher pressed against the cage, preventing Batcher from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Bonnie Jr pushes off an throws an elbow but Batcher leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Batcher breaks from the clinch.
Bonnie Jr tries to clinch there but Batcher circles away.

Bonnie Jr clinches up with Batcher and pushes him back against the cage.
Bonnie Jr trying to land knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Bonnie Jr dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Bonnie Jr scores with a head kick.
Bonnie Jr wants to clinch up but Batcher keeps it at a distance.
Batcher fails with the takedown.
Bonnie Jr tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Batcher swinging wilding here.
Bonnie Jr wants to clinch up but Batcher keeps it at a distance.
Bonnie Jr tries to clinch but Batcher moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice takedown defense from Bonnie Jr. No joy for Batcher on that attempt.
Batcher has a takedown stuffed.
Michael Bonnie Jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Batcher.
Batcher misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bonnie Jr closes the distance and clinches.
Bonnie Jr misses with an elbow strike.
Batcher jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Bonnie Jr walks away with a smile on his face. Batcher gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Bonnie Jr tries to close the distance and clinch but Batcher swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Batcher.
Batcher is breathing heavily.
Bonnie Jr doesn't manage to clinch there - Batcher circles away.
Bonnie Jr lands a head kick!
Bonnie Jr defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Batcher.
Batcher shoots in but Bonnie Jr avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Batcher circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bonnie Jr clinches.
Knees to the body from Bonnie Jr.

Bonnie Jr breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Batcher swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Batcher shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bonnie Jr sprawls well. Bonnie Jr wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Batcher gets slowly back to his feet.
Bonnie Jr fails with an attempt to clinch.
Batcher throws a nice looking combination but Bonnie Jr bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Bonnie Jr rushes Batcher and presses him up against the cage.
Bonnie Jr tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Batcher avoids it.

Bonnie Jr escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonnie Jr tries to clinch up but Batcher circles away and keeps his distance.
Batcher falls off balance throwing a combination
and Bonnie Jr counters with a three punch combo that has Batcher backing up. Batcher nods at Bonnie Jr to acknowledge the strikes.
Bonnie Jr tries to close the distance and clinch but Batcher swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Batcher with a poor takedown
and Bonnie Jr counters with a head kick.
Batcher fails with the takedown
and Bonnie Jr counters with a big head kick but Batcher shrugs it off.
Batcher circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bonnie Jr tries to close the distance and clinch but Batcher swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bonnie Jr tries to close the distance and clinch but Batcher swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Batcher scores with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bonnie Jr tries to close the distance and clinch up but Batcher swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bonnie Jr tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bonnie Jr tries to clinch there but Batcher circles away.
Bonnie Jr takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Bonnie Jr throws a leg kick which misses Batcher's front leg but catches the back leg as Batcher tries to avoid it.
Bonnie Jr tries to close the distance and clinch up but Batcher swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Batcher throws a combination that misses
and Bonnie Jr counters with a nice leg kick.
Bonnie Jr is looking to clinch.
Bonnie Jr tries to clinch up but Batcher circles away and keeps his distance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Batcher looks to land a combination. Bonnie Jr sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Bonnie Jr fails with an attempt to clinch.
Batcher misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Bonnie Jr dominated that second round.
That's time! Bonnie Jr's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Bonnie Jr tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Batcher is able to avoid easily.
Batcher with a poor takedown
and Bonnie Jr counters with a thumping low kick.
Bonnie Jr misses with a two punch combination.
Batcher tries to bum rush Bonnie Jr with a series of wild strikes but Bonnie Jr uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bonnie Jr is looking to clinch.
Bonnie Jr lands with a kick to the temple. Batcher shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Batcher shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Bonnie Jr counters with an inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bonnie Jr fails to land with a series of punches.
Bonnie Jr wants to clinch up but Batcher keeps it at a distance.
Bonnie Jr is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Batcher lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batcher shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Bonnie Jr counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Michael Bonnie Jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Batcher.
Nice jab there from Batcher.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bonnie Jr looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Michael Bonnie Jr is winning the standup battle so far.
Batcher gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Bonnie Jr counters by clinching up.
Bonnie Jr missing with knees to the body.
Batcher wants to break free but Bonnie Jr has control.

Bonnie Jr pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bonnie Jr leaves Batcher with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Batcher fails to land with a series of punches.

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.

Bonnie Jr moves into the clinch.
Bonnie Jr throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Batcher blocks it with crossed arms.
Batcher fails to pull guard.
With the fighters up against the cage, Bonnie Jr throws an elbow but misses.

Bonnie Jr breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bonnie Jr tries to close the distance and clinch but Batcher swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Batcher fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Batcher throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bonnie Jr fails with an attempt to clinch.
Batcher swats away the attempt to clinch by Bonnie Jr.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonnie Jr tries to clinch up but Batcher circles away and keeps his distance.
Bonnie Jr tries to close the distance and clinch up but Batcher swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Batcher throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Batcher with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bonnie Jr counters with a good low kick that Batcher was not able to check.
Bonnie Jr is looking to clinch.
Batcher misses with a two punch combination.
Batcher scores with a nice head shot.

Bonnie Jr clinches.
Bonnie Jr lands an elbow just above Batcher 's eye.
Batcher fails to pull the fight into his 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.
Bonnie Jr using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Batcher has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Bonnie Jr landing knees to the head.

Batcher decides to pull guard.

Batcher looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Bonnie Jr thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Batcher is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bonnie Jr is aware though and is defending well.
Batcher is trying to keep Bonnie Jr in close.

Batcher escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bonnie Jr gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Bonnie Jr trying to stand up but can't free himself from Batcher's guard.
Eric Batcher has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Michael Bonnie Jr is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Michael Bonnie Jr.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bonnie Jr, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:28
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:28
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Bonnie Jr!