PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ben Dover (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Furlong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dover comes into the arena with I'm Shipping up to Boston blaring out of the sound system. Joe Furlong has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Dover
vs
Furlong

175 cm
20
155 lbs
7 - 2 - 1

178 cm
24
167 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

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 7 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Ben Dover!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Joe Furlong!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dover tries to clinch but Furlong moves out of range.

Furlong shoots in and bounces Dover off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Furlong pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Dover is keeping the position for now.
Furlong looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Furlong is pushing down on Dover's leg trying to pass to half guard. Dover is fighting to maintain full guard but Furlong has managed to sneak the leg through.

Dover makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Ben Dover seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dover shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Furlong sprawls well. Furlong wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Dover gets slowly back to his feet.
Furlong tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dover sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Furlong somewhat.
The fighters circling - Dover throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Dover misses with a looping right.
Furlong moves out of range as Dover strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dover throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Dover fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Furlong manages to avoid it.
Furlong shoots in for a takedown but Dover shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Furlong closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Furlong looking to control but instead Dover has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Dover pushes Furlong off looking to stand but Furlong dives back in and keeps control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ground and pound from Furlong.
Dover regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Furlong.
Furlong content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Dover keeping full guard, as Furlong tries to pass.
Furlong trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Furlong works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Furlong prevents Dover from standing back up.

Dover has one foot on Furlong's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Furlong shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Dover counters with a left to the body.
Ben Dover has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Furlong.
Furlong looks gassed!
Dover throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Furlong tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dover sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Furlong somewhat.
Furlong shoots in but no luck this time.
Dover throws a jab when Furlong was well out of range.
Furlong fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Dover scores with a shot to the body.
Dover throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Furlong.
Furlong blocks a head kick by Dover.
Dover stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dover wants it to stay on the feet.
Dover lands a slapping body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Furlong moves out of range of the strikes.
Dover tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Furlong takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Dover throws a jab but it's blocked by Furlong.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Furlong is defended easily by Dover.
Dover looks to land a combination but Furlong avoids it well.

Dover is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Furlong's half guard.
Furlong is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Dover throwing shots but Furlong is blocking nicely.

Dover gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Nice takedown defense from Dover. No joy for Furlong on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Furlong checks a leg kick.
Dover tries for a takedown but Furlong circles away easily

and Furlong counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dover is trying to stand up here but Furlong is controlling him well.
Dover taking some punishment here, with Furlong in his half guard.
Furlong stops Dover from getting back to his feet.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Furlong connects with a nice short shot to Dover's temple.
Furlong wants to pass to mount but Dover is defending the position.
Dover wants to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Furlong lands strikes from half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Dover keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Furlong shoots in but Dover avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ben Dover will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Dover cracks Furlong with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Furlong ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Furlong ducks under a wild hook from Dover.
Dover tries to bum rush Furlong with a series of wild strikes but Furlong uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Furlong avoids the body shot from Dover.
Dover pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Furlong shoots in but no luck this time.
Dover tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Dover slaps away a takedown attempt from Furlong, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Dover does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Furlong is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dover shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Furlong sprawls well. Furlong wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Dover gets slowly back to his feet.
Dover misses with a body kick.
Dover stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dover wants it to stay on the feet.
Ben Dover has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Furlong.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Furlong will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Dover paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A slow jab from Dover misses its intended target.
Furlong has a takedown stuffed.
Furlong fails with the takedown.
Furlong closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Dover stuffs the takedown.
Dover throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Furlong stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Dover scores with a jab to the body.
Dover lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Furlong at a distance.
Dover ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Furlong moves away.
Dover scores with a hook to the body. Furlong takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Furlong takes one on the button.
Dover tries to land a front kick but Furlong steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Furlong shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Dover counters with a straight right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dover tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Furlong was well out of range. Poor timing from Dover.
Furlong ducks under a wild hook from Dover.
Dover throws a right hand that Furlong ducks under and follows up with a left that Furlong also avoids with ease.
Furlong moves out of range of the strikes.
Dover connects with the punch.
Dover lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
The fight stays on the outside here - Dover looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Furlong will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
No luck for Furlong with that takedown attempt.
Dover lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Dover.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Dover.
Dover scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Dover connects with the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dover connects with a jab.
Dover throws a jab but it's blocked by Furlong.
Ben Dover is winning the standup battle so far.
Dover missing with a left hand there. Furlong was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Furlong has a takedown stuffed.
Furlong keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dover's corner calls for a 1-2. Dover obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Furlong blocks a head kick by Dover.
Dover defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Furlong.
Dover lands a with a good body shot.
Dover scores with a decent looking hook.
Dover misses with a looping right.
Dover fails with the takedown

and Furlong counters with a single leg into guard. Dover didn't expect that.
Furlong passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Dover is trying to buck Furlong off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Furlong wants to control but Dover is keeping him busy.
Furlong advances nicely into full mount.
Furlong scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Dover?

Dover somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Furlong dodges the punch combination from Dover.

Furlong shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Furlong was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dover is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Furlong lands a big elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Dover dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Furlong is trying hard to land a takedown here. Dover sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Dover misses with an uppercut.
A punch lands to the side of Furlong 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Furlong on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Dover scores with a hook.
Dover looks to land a combination but Furlong avoids it well.
Furlong misses with a takedown attempt - Dover sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Dover has his takedown stuffed

so Furlong counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Furlong postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Furlong tries to free his leg and advance position but Dover is retaining full guard.
Dover is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Furlong drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Furlong jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dover is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Furlong scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Furlong has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Dover tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Furlong was well out of range. Poor timing from Dover.
Dover throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Furlong misses with a takedown attempt - Dover sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ben Dover has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Furlong.
Furlong uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dover.
Furlong takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Dover with a poor takedown

and Furlong counters with a single leg into guard. Dover didn't expect that.

Furlong drops back looking for a leg! Dover is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Dover manages to kick Furlong off! Furlong jumps back into Dover's guard.
Joe Furlong has got the better of the ground game so far.
Furlong trying to control the position from guard on top but Dover is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dover is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Furlong is controlling him.

Furlong thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Furlong trying to control but Dover is working from the bottom.
Furlong stops Dover from standing up.
Joe Furlong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Furlong pushing down on Dover's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Dover is not content to let Furlong control the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Furlong takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Furlong shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Dover as he avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dover digs a good body shot into Furlong's ribs.
Dover connects with the punch.
Furlong fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Dover misses with a wild combination.
Furlong looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dover tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Furlong swivels and escapes.
Ben Dover is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A big left from Furlong misses.

Dover decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Furlong gets full guard.

Furlong had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Dover defends it easily.
Dover won't allow Furlong to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dover slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Furlong is on top in guard.
Dover utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Furlong slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Dover is trying to get back to his feet.
Furlong grinds an elbow into Dover's temple.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dover is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Furlong has just dragged him back down to the mat.
The strikes coming from Furlong are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Dover wants to get back to his feet.

Furlong tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Furlong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Dover 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ben Dover!