PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Matthew Davis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Welsh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Davis has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Matthew Davis has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Davis
vs
Welsh

155 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

181 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matthew Davis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chris Welsh !
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, David Schapiro and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Davis steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Welsh . That one must have hurt.

Welsh fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Davis sprawls well initially but Welsh persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Welsh thows a huge punch but Davis dodges it nicely.
Davis looks like he's trying to stand up.
Welsh not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Welsh looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Davis with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Welsh is tying to control. Davis wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Davis is looking to escape.
Davis is breathing heavily.
Davis won't allow Welsh to pass to mount.
Davis pushes Welsh off looking to stand but Welsh dives back in and keeps control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Welsh shoots in for a takedown but Davis shows good takedown defense.

Welsh closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Welsh lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Welsh trying to control but Davis is working from the bottom.
Welsh in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Davis wants to get back to his feet but Welsh is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Welsh trying to control the position from guard on top but Davis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Davis wants to stand but Welsh is controlling the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Welsh changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Davis tries to avoid it but Welsh manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Davis to the ground. Davis escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Davis swats away the attempt to clinch by Welsh .
Davis showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Welsh .
Welsh lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Welsh tries to clinch there but Davis circles away.
Davis blocks a head kick by Welsh .

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.
Welsh lands a head kick!

Welsh feints and as Davis raises his hands in defense, Welsh changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Davis is looking to stand up but Welsh isn't so interested in that idea.
Davis keeping full guard, as Welsh tries to pass.
Welsh with a nice head shot there.
Welsh really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Davis. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Welsh cracks Davis with a solid left hand.

Davis is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Welsh drops down looking for an ankle pick but Davis pulls his leg out and moves away.
Matthew Davis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Welsh .
Welsh throws a head kick that half lands.
Welsh with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Davis clinches but Welsh breaks the clinch
and Welsh counters with a head kick. That will keep Davis thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Welsh pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Welsh shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Davis as he jumps to the side.
Davis tries to close the distance and clinch up but Welsh swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Davis takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Crunch! Welsh slams his shin into Davis's torso.
Welsh throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Welsh shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Welsh showed some decent athleticism there.
Welsh landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Davis has one foot on Welsh 's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Davis fails in his attempt to clinch.
Chris Welsh seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Welsh throws a head kick that misses.
Davis misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Welsh throws a lazy head kick
and Davis counters with a head kick. That will keep Welsh thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Welsh misses with a leg kick

and Davis holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Davis prevents the takedown attempt.
Welsh has Davis pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Davis manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Davis unloads a knee to the mid-section. Welsh lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Welsh tries to score a body lock takedown but Davis shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Davis prevents Welsh from breaking the clinch.
Welsh avoiding damage as Davis throws knees to the body.
Welsh tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Welsh has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Davis avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Welsh is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Davis pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Welsh on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Davis stops a takedown attempt from Welsh .
Welsh is trying to break the clinch but Davis has him pressed against the cage.
Welsh tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Davis just stands there and leans against the cage.
Davis looking to slow down the pace here.
Welsh drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Welsh drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Davis gets the underhooks and prevents it.
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!
Davis throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Welsh blocks it with crossed arms.
Davis stalling in the clinch but Welsh improves position.

Welsh has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Davis uses from the top position.
Welsh is trying to control the position but Davis postures up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Welsh wants to get back to his feet but Davis is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Davis tries to stand but Welsh is controlling from the bottom.
Welsh looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Welsh dominated that round.
That's time! Davis's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Welsh shoots in for a takedown but Davis shows good takedown defense.
Welsh scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
No luck for Welsh with that takedown attempt.
Davis clinches but Welsh breaks the clinch

and Welsh counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Welsh lands strikes from half guard.
Still in half guard, Welsh seems content to control.
Davis wants to get back to his feet.
Welsh wants to pass the guard but Davis is defending well.
Welsh sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Davis defending well though.
Welsh is breathing heavily.
Welsh stops Davis from getting back to his feet.
Welsh sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Davis defending well though.

Davis kicks off Welsh and gets to his feet.
Davis throws a sloppy head kick and Welsh moves out of range easily.
Welsh lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Welsh .
Welsh blocks a head kick by Davis.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Welsh throws a sloppy head kick
and Davis counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Matthew Davis is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Davis throws a head kick that misses
and Welsh counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Davis is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Welsh looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Welsh trying to pass the guard but Davis defending well.
Welsh lands with a punch from half guard.
Well, if Welsh is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Welsh trying to control the action but Davis is working from the bottom.
Welsh might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Davis kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Welsh scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Welsh looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Davis with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Davis is trying to stand up here but Welsh is controlling him well.
Welsh seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
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. Welsh connects with a nice short shot to Davis's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Welsh is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Welsh tries to pass the half guard into mount. Davis knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Welsh trying to control the pace.
Welsh tries to pass the half guard into mount. Davis knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Welsh wants to get back to his feet.
Welsh lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Welsh wants to pass to mount but Davis is defending the position.
Welsh scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Davis pushes Welsh off looking to stand but Welsh dives back in and keeps control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Welsh lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Davis backs up against the cage.
Welsh swinging wilding here.
Welsh tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Davis swivels and escapes.
Matthew Davis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Welsh .
Davis tries to close the distance and clinch up but Welsh swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Welsh closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Welsh lands in his opponent's guard.
Welsh trying to control but Davis is working from the bottom.

Davis pushes Welsh off and scrambles back to his feet.
Matthew Davis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Davis is looking to clinch but Welsh is avoiding it.
Welsh checks the leg kick.
Davis keeps the fight on the outside.
Welsh shoots for a double leg takedown but Davis sprawls well. He's pushed Welsh 's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Welsh with a jab.
Davis is looking to land body kicks.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Welsh .

Welsh stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Welsh throws a combination. Davis tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Welsh looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Davis!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Welsh looking to secure an arm triangle but Davis defends it well.
Davis is trying to stand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Welsh dominating with strikes here.
Welsh working the ground and pound effectively.

Davis bucks Welsh off and manages to get back to his feet!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Welsh 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! This is the final round!

Welsh throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Welsh looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Welsh scores with a three punch combo!

Davis closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Welsh tries to pull guard but Davis won't allow it.
Welsh drops down looking for an ankle pick but Davis pulls his leg out and moves away.
Davis throws a head kick that misses
and Welsh counters with a head kick.
A head kick by Welsh misses

and Davis counters by moving into the clinch.
Welsh tries to pull guard but Davis won't allow it.
Matthew Davis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Welsh .
Davis gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Welsh .
Davis misses with a knee strike.
Welsh has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Davis is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Welsh jumps guard but Davis stands there with Welsh around his waist. Welsh gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Davis misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Welsh .
Welsh is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Davis lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Welsh gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Davis tries to kick Welsh off but Welsh keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Davis is not content to let Welsh control the position.
Welsh lands strikes from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Davis wants to get back to his feet.
Welsh is looking to take a break and control but Davis is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Davis kicks off Welsh and gets to his feet.
A head kick by Davis misses
and Welsh counters with a three punch combo that has Davis backing up. Davis nods at Welsh to acknowledge the strikes.
Welsh lands a nice leg kick that just misses Davis's sensitive parts.
Davis tries to clinch

and Welsh decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Davis's guard.
Welsh looking to pass the guard.

Davis wriggles free and stands up.
Welsh tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Davis wants to clinch.
Welsh throws a head kick but Davis moves out of range.
No luck for Welsh with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Welsh avoids the head kick by Davis.
Welsh moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Welsh drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Welsh cracks Davis with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Welsh works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Davis is not content to let Welsh control the position.
Welsh works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Welsh landing a few strikes.
Welsh scores with punches from side control.
You can see the frustration on Davis's face as Welsh controls the position.

Welsh decides to stand back up. Welsh steps back and let's Davis get back to his feet.
Welsh throws the kick towards the body but Davis avoids it.
Welsh punishes Davis's body with a nice straight punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Welsh fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Davis closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Davis prevents the takedown attempt.
Davis tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Davis landing knees to the head.
Davis with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Davis keeps control of Welsh as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Davis is trying to maintain a safe position but Welsh gets an underhook and turns Davis into the cage.
Welsh managing to block the knees to the body from Davis.
Welsh is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Davis throws a knee to the head but misses.
Welsh can't break the clinch.
Welsh is trying to break the clinch but Davis has him pressed against the cage.
Welsh wants a takedown.
Welsh wants a takedown.
Welsh wants to break the clinch but can't.
Welsh goes for a takedown in the clinch but Davis prevents it.
Welsh wants to break the clinch but can't.
Davis prevents a takedown attempt there.
Davis is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Welsh is keeping busy.
Davis tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Welsh can't get the takedown.
Davis unloads a knee to the mid-section. Welsh lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Welsh tries for a takedown. No joy.
Davis unloads a knee to the mid-section. Welsh lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Welsh has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Davis regains guard immediately.
Welsh sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Welsh stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Davis swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Welsh landing some decent shots from guard.
Welsh makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Welsh is working Davis over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Welsh must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Welsh loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Welsh not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Welsh postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Matthew Davis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Welsh is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Welsh is looking to stand up but Davis won't let him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris Welsh comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Welsh winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 John Roberts scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Welsh !