PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Michael Hall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bob Houser (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hall
vs
Houser

172 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
24
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good in bed

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Intelligent

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 Tokyo, Michael Hall!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bob Houser!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Houser closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Houser lands in his opponent's guard.
Houser trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Houser sitting in guard here, content to control.
Houser tries to free his leg and advance position but Hall is retaining full guard.
Hall wants to sweep here but Houser controlling him for the moment.
Houser is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

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

Houser has closed the distance and engaged Hall in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hall tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Hall has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Houser uses from the top position.
Houser controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Houser preventing the sweep.
Houser passes Hall's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Still in half guard, Houser seems content to control.
Houser throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Houser wants to pass to mount but Hall is defending the position.
Houser not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Houser is looking for a kimura here.
Houser trying to control the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bob Houser was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Hall avoids the head kick by Houser.

Hall closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Houser to the mat! Houser manages to get full guard.
Hall won't allow Houser to sweep him here.

Houser working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Hall has passed into half guard!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hall is thwarting Houser's attempts to control the position.
Houser slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Houser wants to sweep here but Hall controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Houser dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hall doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Houser counters by moving into the clinch.

Houser has Hall pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Houser pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Hall tumbling to the mat - Houser dives into Hall's guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Houser postures up.

Houser got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hall has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Houser has managed to get both his arms back between Hall's legs - danger averted.
Houser is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Houser stands and throws Hall's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Houser in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Houser is looking to take a break and control but Hall is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Houser happy to just control the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hall is not content to let Houser control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bob Houser was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Hall misses with a takedown attempt
and Houser counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hall thinking.

Houser closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Hall quickly recovers to half guard.

Houser is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Hall has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Houser is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hall trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Houser manages to pass to mount!
A nice elbow there by Houser.
Houser is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Hall can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Houser controlling the position easily from mount.

Houser has control of Hall's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Hall regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Houser lands a big shot there that rocks Hall but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Houser stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Hall with a lazy takedown attempt

and Houser counters with a nice double leg into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Houser showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Hall misses with a takedown attempt

and Houser counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Houser performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Houser is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hall has managed to free his arm - good work.
Houser with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Houser frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Houser controlling the position easily from mount.
Houser punishing his opponent with strikes.
Bob Houser has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hall slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hall is looking for a sweep. Houser is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Houser tries to stand and escape but Hall is controlling the position.
Houser throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hall wants to improve his position but Houser is controlling well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Houser looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Houser trying to mount his opponent but Hall defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bob Houser has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Hall tries to clinch
enabling Houser to counter with a crisp jab.
Hall has his takedown stuffed

and Houser counters with a shoot takedown. Hall fights it but they end up in guard.
Houser scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Houser keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hall's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Houser won't allow Hall to sweep him here.
Houser throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hall works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hall can't keep his opponent in guard - Houser advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Houser content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Houser's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Bob Houser has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Houser misses with a body shot

and Hall counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Michael Hall has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bob Houser is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Houser wants to get back to his feet but Hall is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bob Houser comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Houser 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bob Houser!
A very excited looking Bob Houser made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.