PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gregory Helms (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Foster (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Foster's choice of entrance music: New Zealand All Blacks - Haka. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Helms
vs
Foster

178 cm
18
191 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

190 cm
18
210 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Gregory Helms!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ben Foster!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Winston Howard and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Foster fails to land with a series of punches.
Helms fails to land the takedown.
Foster avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Helms shoots in looking for a takedown. Foster tries to sprawl out of it but Helms keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Foster manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Foster misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Helms gets the takedown into side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Helms wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Foster, who protects the arm well.
Foster really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Helms. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Helms is putting a hurting on Foster here, landing some big shots from side control.
Helms working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Helms misses with the ground and pound.
Helms landing a few strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Foster takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The ground and pound from Helms seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Helms scoring with punches from side control.
Helms in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Foster can do anything to dispel that myth.
An elbow from Helms crashes against the mat.
Helms creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Foster sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Foster sneaks back into half guard.
Helms missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Helms scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helms thows a huge punch but Foster dodges it nicely.
Helms missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Helms has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Helms is working for a kimura here but Foster manages to reverse the position and he's now in Helms's guard.
Foster stopping the sweep attempt from Helms.
Helms controlling Foster's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Helms bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Foster's guard.
Helms won't allow Foster to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Helms is working Foster over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Helms wants to control from the top but Foster keeps moving.
Foster is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Foster looking to hit a scissor sweep but Helms is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gregory Helms dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Helms misses with a head kick.
A head kick by Helms misses
and Foster counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Foster lands a two punch combo.
Helms has his takedown stuffed
and Foster counters with a three punch combo that has Helms backing up. Helms nods at Foster to acknowledge the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Foster fails to land with a series of punches.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Helms here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Helms throws a predictable looking body shot
and Foster counters with a left and a right that stings Helms.
Nice sprawl there from Helms as Foster shoots in.
Helms moves in looking to clinch but Foster pushes him off.
Foster shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Helms defends it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Foster misses with a wild combination.
Helms shoots in but no luck this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Helms closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Foster to the mat! Foster manages to get full guard.
Helms postures up and lands a big shot to Foster's brow.
Helms trying to control the position from guard on top but Foster is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Helms distracts Foster with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Helms with a flurry of punches that miss.
Foster trying to control the position.
Helms thows a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Foster wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Helms throwing strikes from guard but Foster blocks nicely.
Foster wants to sweep but no luck.
Foster trying to control the position.
Foster lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Helms!
Helms might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Helms regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Gregory Helms will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Foster tries to bum rush Helms with a series of wild strikes but Helms uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Foster blocks a head kick by Helms.
Helms fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Helms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Foster fails to land with a series of punches.
Foster throws a nice looking combination but Helms bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Helms forces Foster back against the cage and clinches.
Helms keeps control of Foster as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Foster stops a takedown attempt from Helms.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gregory Helms. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Helms drops down looking for an ankle pick but Foster pulls his leg out and moves away.
Gregory Helms is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helms misses with a shot to the body
and Foster counters with a one-two to the body.
Helms throws a head kick but Foster moves out of range.
Foster misses with a two punch combination.

Helms instigates a clinch.
Helms prevents Foster from breaking the clinch.
Foster has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Foster is trying to break the clinch but Helms is controlling him.
Foster looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Helms just leaning against Foster, taking a breather.
Helms tries for a takedown. No joy.
Helms tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Helms keeps control of Foster as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Helms keeps control of Foster as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Helms keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Foster's efforts to push away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Foster wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Helms has him pressed against the cage.

Helms turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Helms manages to end up in side control.
Helms staying calm.
Ben Foster has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Gregory Helms showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Helms, 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gregory Helms!