PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Neville Champman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alf Histon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Histon's choice of entrance music: Saliva - Ladies and Gentlemen. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Champman
vs
Histon

178 cm
24
161 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

161 cm
26
161 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Very strong

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Neville Champman!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Alf Histon!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Richard Clark and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Champman fails with a takedown attempt.
Histon looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Alf Histon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Champman keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Histon.
Good leg kick by Champman there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Champman tries to land a front kick but Histon steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Histon shoots and misses

so Champman counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Champman accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Champman wants to control from the top but Histon keeps moving.
Champman is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Champman trying to control the position from guard on top but Histon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Champman controlling from the top position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Histon is on top in guard.
Histon trying to control but Champman is working from the bottom.
Champman wants to sweep but no luck.
Histon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Champman is keeping the position for now.

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.
Histon is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Histon in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Champman pulls Histon in close to prevent any damage.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Champman wants to sweep but no luck.
Histon trying to control the position from guard on top but Champman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Histon throws a hook but Champman avoids it easily.
Champman ducks under a wild hook from Histon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Champman shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Champman trying to control the position from guard on top but Histon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Champman slips nicely into half guard.
Histon is staying active underneath Champman, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Champman stalling.
Histon is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Champman stalling.
Histon is trying to stand.
Histon is not content to let Champman control the position.
Champman perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Neville Champman.
Champman ducks under a wild hook from Histon.
Champman misses the shot to the body.
Champman takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Histon closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Champman did well to prevent Histon getting side control.

Histon is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Champman has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Neville Champman dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Histon misses with a hook to the body

and Champman counters with a takedown into side control.
Champman tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Histon struggling a bit here.
Champman in side control lands a decent elbow.
Champman just content to control the position.
Champman in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Champman controlling the position.
Neville Champman overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Champman will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Champman creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Histon sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Histon wants to get back to his feet.
Champman is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Histon's shoulder. That is not cool.

That's two 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.
Champman is looking to take a break and control but Histon is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Neville Champman.
Champman slips under a jab.
Histon stuffs the takedown.
Neville Champman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice straight punches there by Histon. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Histon.
Good shot there by Champman.
Histon misses with a takedown

and Champman counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Histon's guard now.
Champman trying to control but Histon is working from the bottom.
Histon keeping full guard, as Champman tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Histon wants to stand up but Champman is controlling him.
Champman pushes down on Histon's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Histon looks like he's trying to stand up.
Histon is not content to let Champman control the position.
Histon wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Champman closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Histon did well to prevent Champman getting side control.
Champman trying to control the action but Histon is working from the bottom.
Histon tries to roll over but Champman keeps him under control.
Champman trying to control the pace.
Champman seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Histon does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Neville Champman dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Histon shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Champman counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Champman trying to control the action but Histon is working from the bottom.
Histon is looking to control Champman's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Histon avoid being mounted?
Champman prevents Histon from improving his position.
Champman wants to lay and pray for a moment but Histon keeps working.
Histon is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Histon is staying active underneath Champman, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Neville Champman.
Histon with a lazy takedown attempt
and Champman counters with a stiff right hand.
Histon takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Champman is trying hard to land a takedown here. Histon sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Histon throws a nice looking combination but Champman bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Histon is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Champman is looking to slow Histon down with leg kicks.
Histon fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Neville Champman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alf Histon.
Champman's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Champman duly obliges.

Champman drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Champman takes a little break here. Histon wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Champman is looking to take a break and control but Histon is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Histon is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Champman not doing much here.
Champman not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Histon wants to get back to his feet.
Histon is refusing to be controlled, as Champman sits in half guard.
Ground and pound from Champman.
Histon is looking for a sweep. Champman is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Champman stalling.

That's four 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Neville Champman.
Histon gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Champman counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Histon misses with a looping left.
Champman throws a combination that misses

and Histon counters with a single leg into guard. Champman didn't expect that.
Champman keeping moving, preventing Histon from controlling successfully.
Champman controls Histon momentarily but Histon frees himself.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Histon postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Champman is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Histon, into his guard.
Histon can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Champman controls the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Neville Champman clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

A big left from Champman misses.
Champman uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Histon.
Champman pivots, looking for a leg kick but Histon is out of range and Champman settles back down.
Histon with a hook.
Histon thows a left - swing and a miss!
Champman displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Histon throws out the jab.
The crowd cheers as Histon lands an impressive looking overhand right. Champman doesn't seem phased though.
Histon shoots for a double leg takedown but Champman sprawls well. He's pushed Histon's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A leg kick checked by Histon.
Histon tries for a takedown but Champman circles away easily
and Champman counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Histon is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Histon drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Champman scores with a jab. Histon acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Champman throws and low kick but Histon moves out of range easily.
Histon throws an overhand right that lands on Champman's shoulder, as Champman tries to avoid the shot.
Champman throws the left hand but Histon avoids the punch easily.
Histon uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Champman.
Champman misses with a head kick.
Histon avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Histon avoids a punch combination nicely.
Histon misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Histon with a poor takedown
and Champman counters with a leg kick.
Neville Champman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alf Histon.
Histon gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Champman counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Histon!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Champman controlling his opponent.
Poor strikes thrown by Champman there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Champman lands a nice shot to the head.
Champman with good strikes from the mount here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Champman tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Champman working Histon over with strikes here.
Champman tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Champman seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Histon for as long as he can get away with.
Histon is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.

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.

Champman is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Histon has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Histon!
Histon with a flurry of punches that miss.
Histon connects with a couple of short punches.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Histon with a flurry of punches that miss.
Histon wants to pass the guard but Champman is keeping the position.
Histon trying to control but Champman is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Neville Champman had his way with Alf Histon in that round.
That's time! Champman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Champman is looking to score with low kicks.
Champman will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Histon scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Histon looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Champman trying to control from the bottom.
Histon is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Histon is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Champman has managed to free his arm - good work.
Champman regains full guard. Nicely done.
Champman not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Histon is working Champman over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Histon is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Champman is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Champman has escaped and now he's on top!
Champman stays in close to Histon's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Champman working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Histon keeping moving, preventing Champman from controlling successfully.
Champman won't allow Histon to get back to his feet.
Champman stays in close to Histon's body and controls the position.
Champman wants to control from the top but Histon keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Champman works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Histon is refusing to be controlled, as Champman sits in half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Neville Champman.
Histon has his takedown stuffed

and Champman counters with a single leg into guard. Histon didn't expect that.
Champman tries to free his leg and advance position but Histon is retaining full guard.
Champman wants to control from the top but Histon keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Champman controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Alf Histon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Champman trying to control the position from guard on top but Histon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Histon pulls Champman in close to prevent any damage.
Champman trying to control but Histon is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Neville Champman showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Champman has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 50:45
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 50:45
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Neville Champman!
Neville Champman is the new lightweight champion!