PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dusty WarHorse (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joao Pires (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pires has chosen Skrillex- Reptile as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

WarHorse
vs
Pires

193 cm
21
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dusty WarHorse!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joao Pires!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Bruno Hogan and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from WarHorse is defended easily by Pires.
Pires tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but WarHorse swivels and escapes.
Pires avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Pires takes a head kick and keeps coming.

It looks like Joao Pires has been cut.

Pires looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
WarHorse wants to get back to his feet.
Pires controlling the action here.
WarHorse is looking to control Pires's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can WarHorse avoid being mounted?
WarHorse is positioning himself well to prevent Pires advancing to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
WarHorse tries to get to full guard but Pires has control of the leg.
Pires passes to full mount!
Pires wants to take WarHorse's back here but WarHorse is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
WarHorse on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if WarHorse tries to get out of the position.
Pires avoids the attempt from WarHorse to control.

Pires gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
A combination from Pires does no damage.
Pires looks gassed!
WarHorse rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pires moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
WarHorse tries for a takedown but Pires sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

WarHorse gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
WarHorse really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
WarHorse manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

WarHorse manages to break the clinch.
WarHorse defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Pires.
Pires tries for a takedown but WarHorse circles away easily

and WarHorse counters with a nice double leg into side control. Pires won't be happy with that.
Dusty WarHorse has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joao Pires.
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!

WarHorse has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Pires shoots in looking for a takedown but WarHorse manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Pires's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

WarHorse closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - WarHorse lands in his opponent's guard.
WarHorse looking to pass the guard.
Pires is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
WarHorse throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
WarHorse trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
WarHorse postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
WarHorse has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Pires not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Pires keeping moving, preventing WarHorse from controlling successfully.
WarHorse's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Dusty WarHorse wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
WarHorse scores with a sloppy right hand. Pires should have avoided that one.
WarHorse displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pires.

WarHorse bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
WarHorse looks up at the clock and then as Pires takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, WarHorse smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
WarHorse is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

WarHorse has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dusty WarHorse dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joao Pires's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

WarHorse gets in close and instigates a clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, WarHorse throws an elbow but misses.
WarHorse prevents Pires from breaking the clinch.
WarHorse changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Pires fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Pires gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows WarHorse to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Pires has a closed guard, preventing WarHorse from standing up.
Pires is breathing heavily.
Pires keeping full guard, as WarHorse tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pires seems keen to control WarHorse's posture.
Pires is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
WarHorse looking to pass the guard.
WarHorse controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Dusty WarHorse just wasn't active enough.
Crunch! WarHorse slams his shin into Pires's torso.
WarHorse scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
WarHorse lands with a slapping head kick.
Pires fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Pires defends well against a solid takedown attempt from WarHorse.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pires gets tackled into the cage by WarHorse. WarHorse maintains the clinch.
WarHorse controlling the action here for a moment.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
WarHorse missing with knees to the body.
WarHorse tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dusty WarHorse. That's going to take a lot out of him.
WarHorse pressing his opponent against the cage.

WarHorse breaks from the clinch.
Dusty WarHorse seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pires dives in and grabs WarHorse's left leg, looking for a takedown. WarHorse pushes down on Pires's head and hops out.
Pires throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
WarHorse keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Pires displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from WarHorse.

Pires gets caught napping as WarHorse dives in and scores a takedown. Pires manages to retain guard.
Pires working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from WarHorse.
WarHorse wants to pass the guard but Pires is keeping the position.
Pires is trying to control the position but WarHorse postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
WarHorse stopping the sweep attempt from Pires.

Pires is working an open guard so WarHorse takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
WarHorse fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

WarHorse clinches.
WarHorse tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Pires avoids it.
This has been an exciting period of action!

WarHorse escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
WarHorse lands with a shot to the body.
WarHorse throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Pires's waist but Pires gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing WarHorse off to one side.
Nice sprawl there from WarHorse as Pires shoots in.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dusty WarHorse dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joao Pires's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

WarHorse changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pires tries to avoid it but WarHorse manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pires to the ground. Pires escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice uppercut there from WarHorse.
WarHorse throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Pires.

WarHorse shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Pires has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. WarHorse is working away from the top position though.
Pires keeping control of the position.
WarHorse takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pires trying to control here.
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. WarHorse connects with a nice short shot to Pires's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pires is looking to control WarHorse's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Pires avoid being mounted?

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Joao Pires.

Pires gets caught napping as WarHorse dives in and scores a takedown. Pires manages to retain guard.
Pires trying to control the position.
WarHorse throwing strikes from guard but Pires blocks nicely.
Pires trying to keep a closed guard but WarHorse is proving a slippery customer.
WarHorse pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pires is keeping the position for now.
Pires wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
WarHorse is fighting to break Pires's control of his arms but Pires is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
WarHorse will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Joao Pires was stalling too much, according to the referee.

WarHorse rushes Pires and presses him up against the cage.

WarHorse breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A left and a right from WarHorse both land. Nice combination.
WarHorse throws a right and a left that both miss.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pires shoots for a double leg takedown but WarHorse sprawls well. He's pushed Pires's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
WarHorse connects with a crisp jab.

WarHorse drives through with a takedown into guard.
Pires working a defensive guard here.
WarHorse wants to pass the guard but Pires is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pires is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
WarHorse won't allow Pires to get back to his feet.
Pires wants to sweep but no luck.

WarHorse got a little sloppy there for a moment and Pires has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, WarHorse has managed to get both his arms back between Pires's legs - danger averted.
WarHorse trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

WarHorse decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Pires, up you get!
WarHorse doesn't manage to clinch there - Pires circles away.
WarHorse stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and WarHorse wants it to stay on the feet.
A right-left combo lands from WarHorse.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
WarHorse shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
WarHorse keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Dusty WarHorse has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joao Pires.

Excellent takedown into side control there by WarHorse.
Pires is trying to control WarHorse's posture but WarHorse avoids it.
Pires defending against the ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pires on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Dusty WarHorse overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pires struggling a bit here.
Joao Pires has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dusty WarHorse is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
WarHorse is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Pires can do to turn this around?

And that's the end of the fight!
Dusty WarHorse showed his dominance in that final round.
Well WarHorse 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dusty WarHorse!