PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between randy orton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Watt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

orton
vs
Watt

220 cm
21
280 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
19
250 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, randy orton!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, James Watt!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Donald Grub and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
orton shoots in for a takedown but Watt shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
No luck with that takedown attempt from orton.
Nice sprawl there from Watt as orton shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for randy orton. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Watt forces orton back against the cage and clinches.

Watt has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed orton clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Watt is looking to control orton but orton is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Even with his hooks in, Watt manages to miss with strikes from the back.

Watt has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, orton has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Watt working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
orton wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watt struggling to land strikes to the head as orton covers up.

Watt tightening his grip on orton, looking for the choke.

Watt is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
orton is breathing heavily.

Watt working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

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

Watt looking for the choke but no joy.

Watt working for a choke but orton is defending well.
Watt thows a strike but orton uses the opportunity to reverse the position! Great move by orton as he ends up in Watt 's guard!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watt throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
orton wants to stand but Watt is controlling his posture from full guard.
Watt will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
orton trying to stand up but can't free himself from Watt's guard.
orton trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Watt throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
Watt scores with a couple of body punches from the bottom.
orton trying to stand up but can't free himself from Watt's guard.
Watt throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
orton has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Watt is proving hard to escape from.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Watt working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. orton doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. orton manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four 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.
orton has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Watt is proving hard to escape from.
Watt throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
orton would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
orton will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Watt throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
Watt manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Watt pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Watt has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of orton's face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Watt 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.

Watt moves into the clinch successfully.
Watt looking for a takedown.
Watt goes for a takedown attempt but orton pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
orton throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Watt's waist but Watt gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing orton off to one side.

Watt clinches up with orton and pushes him back against the cage.
orton prevents a takedown attempt there.
randy orton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Watt.
orton prevents a takedown attempt there.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Watt. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
orton stops a takedown attempt from Watt.

orton breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Watt closes the distance and clinches.

Watt wants the takedown. orton is fighting it off but Watt persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in orton's guard against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Watt prevents orton from getting back to his feet.
orton utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Watt postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watt throws a strike but orton rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
orton wants to stand but Watt is controlling his posture from full guard.
Watt trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
orton stands up out of Watt's guard for a moment - Watt manages to land a nice upkick.
orton wants to stand but Watt has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Watt scores with a couple of body punches from the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Watt can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Watt striking off his back but it's not causing orton any problems.
Watt trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Watt throwing short punches from the bottom.
orton has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Watt is proving hard to escape from.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Watt is on top in guard.
Watt throws and elbow that misses. orton uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Watt's guard. Nice move by orton!
orton wanted to stand there but Watt had control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watt throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
Watt trying to strike off his back.
orton is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
Watt keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.
Watt throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Watt tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Watt trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Watt will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

orton stands up from guard. Let's bang!
orton looks for a takedown but Watt sprawls well.
No luck with that takedown attempt from orton.

Watt has orton up against the cage in a clinch.

Watt is trying to trip orton. He has hold of a leg but orton is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Watt persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Watt in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watt in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Watt accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Watt has gone for a leg lock! orton slips out almost immediately though and dives into Watt's guard.
Watt is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
orton tries to kick Watt off but Watt keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Watt seems to be working for a kimura but orton defends the submission attempt.
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. Watt connects with a nice short shot to orton's temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Watt showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Watt gets a clinch.
Watt is trying to drag orton to the mat but orton just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Watt changes levels and goes for a takedown here. orton fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Horrible takedown by orton or perhaps it was just good defense by Watt which made him look bad.
orton fails to land the takedown.

Watt rushes orton and presses him up against the cage.

Watt has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but orton regains guard immediately.
Watt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Watt postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
James Watt has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Watt is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watt works over orton with some ground and pound from guard.
Watt postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Watt drops back, looking for a kneebar! orton looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. orton looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from orton!

orton stands up and beckons Watt to his feet.

Watt moves into the clinch successfully.

Watt lands a takedown into guard.

Watt has gone for a leg lock! orton slips out almost immediately though and dives into Watt's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watt lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for orton!
orton is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

Watt goes for an armbar but he's not got it… orton turns into him and now he's in Watt's guard.

orton stands up from guard. Let's bang!
orton closes the distance and clinches up with Watt, looking for a takedown. orton pushes Watt against the cage but Watt circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for randy orton. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Watt moves into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Watt goes for a takedown attempt but orton pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watt leaves orton with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Watt moves into the clinch successfully.
Watt changes levels and goes for a takedown here. orton fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Watt has orton up against the cage in a clinch.

Watt turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Watt goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, orton rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Watt's guard! Nice work there by orton!

orton stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Watt slaps away a takedown attempt from orton, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Watt clinches with his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Watt lands a takedown into guard.
orton preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Watt throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
orton preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Watt drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and orton dives on top into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Watt is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
orton wants to stand but Watt is controlling his posture from full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

orton decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Watt rushes orton and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Watt really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

orton tries to score a power double leg takedown but Watt sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten orton somewhat.
orton shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Watt sprawls well. Watt wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. orton gets slowly back to his feet.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Watt has orton pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. orton manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
orton prevents a takedown attempt there.
Watt goes for a takedown attempt but orton pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
randy orton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Watt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from orton.

Watt closes the distance and pushes orton back into the cage.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
orton is pressed up against the cage. Watt has hold of a leg and is looking to drag orton down to the mat. orton avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Watt fails in his attempt to clinch.
Watt wants to clinch up but orton keeps it at a distance.
orton tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Watt swivels and escapes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Watt gets a clinch.
Watt gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from orton.

Watt is trying to trip orton. He has hold of a leg but orton is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Watt persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
orton is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Watt is controlling him.
Watt throws a big right hand that misses.
Watt working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
orton wants to stand and escape but Watt is having none of it.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Watt's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Watt works over orton with some ground and pound from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Watt drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and orton dives on top into guard.
Watt thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
orton trying to stand up but can't free himself from Watt's guard.
Watt scores with a couple of body punches from the bottom.

Watt is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. orton is aware though and is defending well.

Watt is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

orton gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
orton fails with a takedown attempt.
James Watt is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
orton misses with a takedown attempt - Watt sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
orton fails to land the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Watt clinches up with orton and pushes him back against the cage.
Watt prevents orton from breaking the clinch.
Watt looking for a takedown.
Watt wants a takedown but no success here.
Watt has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. orton avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Watt has hold of one of orton's legs. orton is fighting the takedown attempt but Watt gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
orton is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Watt postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Watt throwing strikes but missing.
Watt throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as orton works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
orton preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Watt in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Watt accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Watt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Watt is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! orton is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! orton has escaped and now he's on top!
orton won't allow Watt to sweep him here.
orton wants to stand but Watt has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Watt dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

orton closes the distance and clinches up with Watt, looking for a takedown. orton pushes Watt against the cage but Watt circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Watt fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with orton, pushing him back against the cage.

Watt has dropped down and is working for a takedown. orton is trying to keep an underhook but Watt manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Watt wants to pass to mount but orton is defending the position.
Watt looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks orton with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Watt thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Watt throwing shots but orton is blocking nicely.
Watt thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watt thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Watt thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing orton to regain full guard.
Watt postures up in orton's guard and throws a big left but orton blocks it.
Watt working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
orton working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Watt.
Watt loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Watt throws and elbow that misses. orton uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Watt's guard. Nice move by orton!
Watt looking to hit a scissor sweep but orton is one step ahead there.

orton stands and steps away. Watt gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
orton closes the distance and clinches up with Watt, looking for a takedown. orton pushes Watt against the cage but Watt circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Watt has closed the distance and engaged orton in a clinch.

Watt has clasped his hands together around orton's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Watt throws a strike aimed at the side of orton's head but orton avoids it well.

Watt wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by orton, who protects the arm well.

Watt goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, orton rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Watt's guard! Nice work there by orton!
Watt punching from the bottom.
orton wanted to stand there but Watt had control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Watt is on top in guard.
Watt in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Watt throws and elbow that misses. orton uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Watt's guard. Nice move by orton!
Watt will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Watt has a closed guard, preventing orton from standing up.
Watt throws a nice elbow from the bottom.
orton tries to stand but Watt is controlling from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Watt thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Watt tries to strike from the bottom.

orton decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Nice sprawl there from Watt as orton shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for randy orton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
orton shoots in for a takedown but Watt shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
orton changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Watt tries to avoid it but orton manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Watt to the ground. Watt escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Watt gets a clinch.

orton is fighting off a takedown attempt but Watt is just too persistent for him and manages to trip orton to the mat. orton regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Watt postures up in orton's guard and throws a big left but orton blocks it.
Watt postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Watt working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
randy orton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Watt has gone for a leg lock! orton slips out almost immediately though and dives into Watt's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Watt comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Watt has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight for James Watt!
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight for James Watt!
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight for James Watt!

James Watt wins by unanimous decision!
James Watt is the new heavyweight champion!