PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Thai Striker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Doran Connell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Striker's entrance music is Rage Against The Machine - Killing in The Name. A fine choice. Connell has chosen Rob Kelly - Rockstar as his entrance music. This should be fireworks!

Striker
vs
Connell

170 cm
26
147 lbs
8 - 3 - 1

184 cm
25
167 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Solid 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 8 - 3 - 1, fighting out of London, Thai Striker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Doran Connell!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Paul Tew and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Connell misses with a low kick as Striker jumps back.
The fighters circling - Striker throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Connell steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Striker.
Connell moves out of range of the body kick.
Striker swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Striker misses with the combination.
Striker throws a leg kick that is checked

and Connell counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Connell trying to control but Striker is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Connell is looking to stand up but Striker won't let him.
Connell trying to control but Striker is working from the bottom.
Connell might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Striker kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Striker being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Connell is pushing down on Striker's leg trying to pass to half guard. Striker is fighting to maintain full guard but Connell has managed to sneak the leg through.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Connell performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Connell is trying to control. Striker wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Connell is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Striker is trying to control but can't.
Connell throwing shots but Striker is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Striker makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Connell tries to clinch up but Striker circles away and keeps his distance.
Thai Striker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A head kick by Striker misses
and Connell counters with a head kick. That will keep Striker thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Striker misses with a leg kick

and Connell counters by clinching up.
Striker tries a knee to the head but Connell blocks it.
Connell throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Striker misses with an elbow over the top.
Striker avoids the elbow strike from Connell, against the cage.
Connell tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Connell creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Connell using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Striker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Striker landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Connell looks gassed!
Striker tries a knee to the head but Connell blocks it.
Striker is trying to stall.
Striker using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Connell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Striker connects with a nasty looking knee right to Connell's face.
Striker unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Striker manages to break the clinch.
Striker throws a sloppy head kick
and Connell counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Striker thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Connell if he has to take too many more of those.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Striker drives through and clinches with Connell against the cage.
Connell tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Striker unloads a knee to the mid-section. Connell lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Striker unloads a knee to the mid-section. Connell lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Striker throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Connell blocks it with crossed arms.
Knees in the clinch landing for Striker.
Striker lands an elbow that stopped Connell in his tracks for a moment.
Connell tries a knee to the head but Striker blocks it.
Striker scores a nice knee to the body.
Striker lands a knee to the head.
Connell wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Striker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Striker throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Striker throws a combination. Connell tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Striker throws a head kick that misses.
Connell tries to clinch up.
A head kick misses from Striker.
Striker closes the distance looking to clinch

and Connell counters with a takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Connell trying to control the action but Striker is working from the bottom.

Connell swings around for an armbar but Striker sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Connell's guard.
Striker passes Connell's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Striker is taking a breather. Connell says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Connell is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Striker pulls his head out 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 Thai Striker will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Connell takes a kick to the side of the head.
Striker lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Striker here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

Striker closes the distance and clinches.
Striker avoids the elbow strike from Connell, against the cage.
Connell throws a knee to the head but misses.
Striker tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Striker dodges an elbow strike from Connell.
Connell pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Connell with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Connell throws an elbow but it misses.
Connell looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Connell misses with an elbow over the top.
Striker avoids a wild elbow strike from Connell.
Knees in the clinch landing for Striker.
Striker comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Striker working Connell over with knees to the body.
Striker throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Connell blocks it with crossed arms.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Connell tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Striker lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Striker is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Knees in the clinch landing for Striker.

Striker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Striker throws a combination that misses
and Connell counters with a head kick. That will keep Striker thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Striker throws a head kick that misses.
Striker tries to clinch but Connell is having none of it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Striker.
Connell keeps the fight on the outside.
Striker throws a head kick but Connell moves out of range.
Striker throws a front kick aimed at Connell's knee but Connell avoids it well.
The fighters circling - Striker throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Connell fails with an attempt to clinch.
Striker keeps the fight on the outside.

Striker moves into range and clinches up with Connell.
Striker using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Striker throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Connell blocks it with crossed arms.
Connell lands an elbow inside that Striker shrugs off.
Connell using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Striker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Connell.
Knees to the body from Striker.
Striker using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Connell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Striker manages to break the clinch.
Connell misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Striker throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A good leg kick by Striker.
Connell clinches but Striker breaks the clinch
and Striker counters with a nice low kick that buckles Connell's knee momentarily.
A head kick from Striker lands but Connell takes it in his stride.
Connell is looking to clinch but Striker is avoiding it.
Connell uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Striker.
Connell tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Striker misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Connell moves into range and clinches up with Striker.
Striker on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Striker takes an elbow to the temple.
Striker takes an elbow to the temple.
Striker looking to throw knees to the head but Connell is blocking nicely.
Connell misses with a knee to the head.
Striker avoiding damage as Connell throws knees to the body.
Striker with a knee to the head.
Striker lands a knee to the head.
Thai Striker has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Striker connects with a nasty looking knee right to Connell's face.
Striker looking to throw knees to the head but Connell is blocking nicely.
Connell lands an elbow that stopped Striker in his tracks for a moment.
Connell takes a knee to the side of the body.
Connell misses with a knee strike.
Striker tries a knee to the head but Connell blocks it.
Striker looking to throw knees to the head but Connell is blocking nicely.
Striker blocks the elbow strike.
Connell misses with an elbow over the top.
Connell misses with an elbow over the top.
Striker with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Connell misses with an elbow over the top.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Connell as Striker tries to tie him up.
A knee to the head by Connell.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Striker avoids the elbow strike from Connell, against the cage.
Striker lands a knee to the head.
With the fighters up against the cage, Connell throws an elbow but misses.
Striker lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Connell misses with a knee strike.
Striker landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Connell wants the takedown. Striker is fighting it off but Connell persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Striker's guard against the cage.
Striker keeping moving, preventing Connell from controlling successfully.
Connell wants to stand but Striker is controlling his posture from full guard.
Connell is looking to advance position but Striker has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A nice elbow there by Striker.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thai Striker dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Striker lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Thai Striker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Striker lands with a thumping leg kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Striker throws a knee to the head but misses.
Striker with a knee to the head.
Striker tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Connell just misses with a elbow thrown towards Striker's brow.
Striker managing to block the knees to the body from Connell.
Striker dodges an elbow strike from Connell.
Connell pushes off an throws an elbow but Striker leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Striker crunches a lovely knee into Connell's ribcage.
Connell with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Striker tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Striker landing knees to the head.
Striker lands an elbow just above Connell 's eye.
Striker avoids the elbow strike from Connell, against the cage.
Connell takes a knee to the side of the body.
Striker tries a knee to the head but Connell blocks it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Striker scores with a knee to the head.
Connell blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Connell gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Connell tries for a takedown. No joy.
Striker is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Striker comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Connell with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Connell drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Striker gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Striker lands an elbow just above Connell 's eye.
Striker landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Striker misses with a knee strike.
Striker throws a knee to the head but misses.
Connell pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Striker takes a knee right on the jaw!
Striker throws a knee to the head but misses.
Striker avoids the elbow strike from Connell, against the cage.
Striker landing knees to the head.
Connell tries a knee to the head but Striker blocks it.
Striker pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Striker misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Connell.
Striker avoids a wild elbow strike from Connell.
Connell tries to circle away but Striker has him pinned against the cage.
Striker lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Connell.
Connell tries to break the clinch but Striker is controlling the position.
Striker throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Striker avoids a wild elbow strike from Connell.

Striker breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Striker misses with a jab, cross combination.
Connell tries to clinch up.
Striker with a jab.
Striker throws a nice looking combination but Connell bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Connell tries to clinch
and Striker counters with a head kick. That will keep Connell thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Connell tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Striker avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Striker is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Connell.

Connell has taken the fight to the clinch.
Striker tries to land a knee to the head but Connell blocks with his arms.
Striker is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Connell's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Connell tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Striker misses with a knee to the head.
Connell misses with an elbow strike.
Striker tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Connell lands an elbow just above Striker 's eye.
Connell misses with an elbow over the top.
Doran Connell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Striker with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Connell throws an elbow that misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Striker just misses with a elbow thrown towards Connell's brow.
Connell throws an elbow but it misses.
Striker throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Connell blocks it with crossed arms.
Connell lands a nice elbow.
Connell tries to land a knee to the head but Striker blocks with his arms.
With the fighters up against the cage, Connell throws an elbow but misses.
Striker lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Connell throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Striker tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Connell with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Striker landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Connell tries to land a knee to the head but Striker blocks with his arms.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Striker takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Striker avoids a wild elbow strike from Connell.
Connell landing knees to the head.
Striker with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Connell tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Striker connects with a nasty looking knee right to Connell's face.
Striker prevents a takedown attempt there.
Thai Striker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Doran Connell.
Striker avoids a wild elbow strike from Connell.
Striker is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Striker with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's four 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.
Connell throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Striker blocks it with crossed arms.
Striker utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Thai Striker is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Striker throws a knee to the head but misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Connell.
Striker throws a knee to the head but misses.
Connell creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Striker blocks an elbow strike.
Striker is trying to maintain a safe position but Connell gets an underhook and turns Striker into the cage.
Connell avoids a wild elbow strike from Striker.
Striker avoids the elbow strike from Connell, against the cage.
Connell pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Striker blocks an elbow strike.
Connell scores a nice knee to the body.
Striker tries to land a knee to the head but Connell blocks with his arms.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Striker lands a nice knee to the body.
Connell tries to score a body lock takedown but Striker shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Striker tries to land a knee to the head but Connell blocks with his arms.
Striker blocks an elbow strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thai Striker showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Striker, 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 James Glass scores the fight 30:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:28
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thai Striker!