PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Storm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Flare (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Storm's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, AC/DC - Thunderstruck. Flare has chosen Also Sprach Zarathustra as his entrance music. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Storm
vs
Flare

189 cm
22
183 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

173 cm
24
180 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Johnny Storm!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rick Flare!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, John Mangel and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Flare throws a right and a left that both miss.
Flare shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Storm defends it nicely.
Flare tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Storm swivels and escapes.
Flare throws a shot from downtown. Storm moves away and avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Flare shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Johnny Storm has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Flare.
Flare keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flare takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Flare misses with a two punch combination.
Flare will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A looping hook to the body misses from Storm. Flare does a little dance to reset his feet.
Flare defending well as Storm loads up on a big left hand.
Flare moves out of range as Storm strikes.
A jab from Storm does it's job there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Storm swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Flare fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Flare shoots in for a double leg but Storm sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Storm ducks under a wild hook from Flare.
Storm scores with a nice strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Storm. No joy for Flare on that attempt.
Johnny Storm is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Storm missing with a left hand there. Flare was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Flare fails with the takedown.
Flare looks for a takedown but Storm sprawls well.
Flare shoots in and drives through. Storm sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Storm takes a swing at Flare's ribcage but misses.
Storm scores with a decent looking hook.
Storm is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Flare shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Storm pinned against the cage. Storm gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Storm circles away from the clinch attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Flare shoots in for a double leg but Storm sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Storm throws a front kick aimed at Flare's knee but Flare avoids it well.
Storm is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Flare.
Rick Flare seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Flare fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Flare fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Storm. Flare does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flare misses with the combination.
Flare shoots in for a takedown but Storm shows good takedown defense.
Johnny Storm has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Flare.
Flare closes the distance and clinches up with Storm, looking for a takedown. Flare pushes Storm against the cage but Storm circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Flare misses with a takedown attempt - Storm sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Flare shoots in looking for a takedown. Storm tries to sprawl out of it but Flare keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Storm manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

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.
Storm dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Flare is breathing heavily.
Storm misses the jab.
Flare misses with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flare misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Flare avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Storm lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Storm lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Storm works the jab nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flare moves forwards but Storm connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Storm tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Flare was well out of range. Poor timing from Storm.
Nice sprawl there from Storm as Flare shoots in.
Storm throws a one two combo.
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!
Storm throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Flare lands a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Storm dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Flare shoots in for a takedown but Storm shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Flare is looking to clinch.
Flare shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Storm defends it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Storm throws a body punch but Flare moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flare looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Johnny Storm has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Flare.
Storm slips a jab from Flare.
A looping hook to the body misses from Storm. Flare does a little dance to reset his feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Storm looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

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.

Flare is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Storm's half guard.
Storm regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Flare.
Flare tries to free his leg and advance position but Storm is retaining full guard.

Storm has his feet on Flare's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Storm misses with a body shot.
Rick Flare has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flare tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Storm paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Storm chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Flare tries to score a power double leg takedown but Storm sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Flare somewhat.
Flare takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Flare steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Storm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Storm misses the target.
Storm stuffs the takedown.
Storm works Flare's body with a nice hook.
Flare fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Johnny Storm is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Flare checks a leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Storm showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Storm, 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Storm!