PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zack Skyshriek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlos Strikes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Skyshriek's entrance music is Moonlight Sonata. A fine choice. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Skyshriek
vs
Strikes

178 cm
29
162 lbs
18 - 10 - 2

186 cm
32
180 lbs
25 - 24 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite 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 18 - 10 - 2, fighting out of London, Zack Skyshriek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 24 - 1, fighting out of London, Carlos Strikes!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Colin Fotheringham and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Skyshriek shoots in and gets a takedown into Strikes's guard.
Skyshriek content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Skyshriek chips away with some ground and pound.
Skyshriek in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Strikes is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Strikes looking for a guillotine here but Skyshriek defends easily.
Skyshriek chips away with some ground and pound.
Strikes keeping moving, preventing Skyshriek from controlling successfully.
Skyshriek loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Strikes is trying to control the position but Skyshriek postures up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Skyshriek accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Skyshriek working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Strikes's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Strikes had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Skyshriek defends it easily.
Strikes working a defensive guard here.
Skyshriek landing with the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Skyshriek trying to control but Strikes is working from the bottom.
Skyshriek throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Strikes works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Skyshriek landing some decent shots from guard.
Skyshriek works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Skyshriek slips a nice elbow through Strikes's hands, connecting with Strikes's forehead.
Skyshriek tries to pass to full mount but Strikes defends it.
Strikes really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Skyshriek. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Strikes is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skyshriek missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Skyshriek looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Strikes with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Skyshriek landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Skyshriek trying to pass the guard but Strikes defending well.
Strikes wants to control but Skyshriek is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Strikes wants to improve his position but Skyshriek is controlling well.
Strikes avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Skyshriek.
Strikes is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Skyshriek trying to control from half guard but Strikes is working away.
Skyshriek working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strikes taking some punishment here, with Skyshriek in his half guard.
Skyshriek missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Skyshriek wants to control but Strikes is keeping him busy.
Skyshriek thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Strikes's head.
Strikes blocking the ground and pound attempt from Skyshriek.
Skyshriek not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Skyshriek throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Skyshriek is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Skyshriek scoring with strikes but Strikes is staying in there.
Skyshriek putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Skyshriek landing strikes, looking to finish!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Skyshriek raining down shots from the mount!
BOOM! Skyshriek connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Skyshriek landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strikes is working to get back to half guard.
Skyshriek scoring with strikes but Strikes is staying in there.
Strikes is looking to get to half guard.
Skyshriek lands a couple of good shots and Strikes has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Skyshriek struggling to keep hold of the position.
Strikes covers up after that shot from Skyshriek.

Skyshriek is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Skyshriek is not going to allow Strikes to sit and survive in this position.
Skyshriek 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.
Skyshriek doesn't have the hooks in and Strikes manages to turn into his guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Skyshriek is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Strikes defends well.
Strikes wants to control from the top but Skyshriek keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zack Skyshriek dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Skyshriek.
Skyshriek trying to control the action but Strikes is working from the bottom.
Skyshriek working the ground and pound.
Skyshriek scores with a couple of short elbows.
Skyshriek postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Skyshriek lands a few punches from side control.
Skyshriek lands a nice forearm strike.
Strikes stops Skyshriek from passing to mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Skyshriek cracks Strikes with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Strikes pushes Skyshriek away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Skyshriek gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Strikes bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strikes takes a kick to the side of the head.
Strikes moves to clinch but Skyshriek breaks away
and Skyshriek counters with a nice uppercut.
Sloppy strikes from Strikes. Those never looked like landing.
Skyshriek ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Skyshriek moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Skyshriek. That's going to slow Strikes down.
Strikes tries to clinch up but Skyshriek circles away and keeps his distance.
A head kick from Skyshriek lands but Strikes takes it in his stride.
Strikes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice shot lands for Skyshriek.
Strikes is looking to clinch.
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!
Skyshriek clobbers Strikes with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Strikes misses with a body kick.
Skyshriek circles away from the clinch attempt.
Strikes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skyshriek throws a nice head kick!
Strikes avoids the head kick by Skyshriek.
Strikes tries to clinch there but Skyshriek circles away.
Skyshriek lands a jab to the nose.
Strikes takes one to the chin there.
Skyshriek is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Strikes can do to turn this around?
Strikes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Skyshriek swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Skyshriek fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Skyshriek circles away from the clinch attempt.
Skyshriek pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Carlos Strikes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Skyshriek thuds his right hand into Strikes's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Strikes throws a low kick, looking for Skyshriek's leg but Skyshriek calmly moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Strikes.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Strikes lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Skyshriek has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Skyshriek and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Strikes looks to score with a jab to the body but Skyshriek is just out of range.
Carlos Strikes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Skyshriek misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skyshriek lands with a cross.
Skyshriek lands with a thumping leg kick.

Skyshriek pushes Strikes up against the cage in a clinch.

Strikes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Skyshriek cracks the inside of Strikes's front leg.
Skyshriek throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Strikes throws a right and a left that both miss.
Skyshriek keeps the fight on the outside.
Strikes wants to clinch.
Zack Skyshriek is winning the standup battle so far.
Strikes takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Strikes moves to clinch but Skyshriek breaks away
and Skyshriek counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Skyshriek lands with a shot to the body.
Skyshriek lands a really nice looking cross but Strikes seems unphased.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Skyshriek moves into range and connects with a jab.
Strikes tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Skyshriek manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Strikes fails in his attempt to clinch.

Skyshriek feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Skyshriek wants to control from the top but Strikes keeps moving.
Skyshriek with a nice head shot there.
Strikes manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Skyshriek manages to get himself to full guard.
Skyshriek manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Skyshriek unloading with bombs!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zack Skyshriek dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Skyshriek misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Strikes.
Strikes tries to close the distance and clinch but Skyshriek swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Strikes tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Skyshriek manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Strikes misses with a hook. Skyshriek ducked under it nicely.
Skyshriek throws a nice inside leg kick.
Strikes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Skyshriek paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Skyshriek scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Skyshriek fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Strikes manages to avoid it.
Skyshriek fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Strikes.
Strikes takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Strikes tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Skyshriek manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Skyshriek darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Strikes throws a hook but Skyshriek avoids it easily.
Strikes moves to clinch but Skyshriek breaks away

and Skyshriek counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Strikes's guard now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Skyshriek loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Skyshriek throwing strikes from guard but Strikes blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skyshriek scoring with punches to the head and body.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Skyshriek here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Skyshriek tries to free his leg and advance position but Strikes is retaining full guard.
Skyshriek trying to control but Strikes is working from the bottom.
Strikes is trying to keep Skyshriek in close.
Skyshriek missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Skyshriek postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Skyshriek is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Skyshriek postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Skyshriek trying to control the position from guard on top but Strikes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zack Skyshriek is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skyshriek looking to pass the guard.
Skyshriek slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Skyshriek is staying tight to Strikes's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Skyshriek wants to control but Strikes is keeping him busy.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Skyshriek throws an elbow but Strikes slips to the side and avoids it well.
Strikes is not content to let Skyshriek control the position.
Strikes is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Skyshriek has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skyshriek remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Strikes takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Strikes is trying to control Skyshriek's posture but Skyshriek avoids it.
Carlos Strikes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Skyshriek connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Strikes some visible discomfort.
Strikes trying to remain calm as Skyshriek controls from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skyshriek working the ground and pound.
Skyshriek working the ground and pound.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Strikes is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
A lull in the action here as Skyshriek stalls from top position.
Strikes taking a bit of punishment here - Skyshriek scoring with strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Skyshriek controls the position.
Skyshriek cracks Strikes with a big right hand but Strikes just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Strikes tries to improve position but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zack Skyshriek showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Skyshriek 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zack Skyshriek!
Zack Skyshriek decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.