PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Shane Falco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Russel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Falco
vs
Russel

175 cm
37
157 lbs
30 - 13 - 0

170 cm
27
152 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
KO power

TWGC Champion
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Steel Penn's All 160
HGH Nutrients Q160-Q158

Fight Night Nutrition

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 30 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Shane Falco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ben Russel!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Saam Ante and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Russel misses with a hook
and Falco counters with a thumping low kick.
Falco defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Russel.

Russel shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Russel controlling from the top position.
Falco on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Falco tries to get out of the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Russel accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Russel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Falco keeping moving, preventing Russel from controlling successfully.
Falco managing to control the position.
Falco is trying to control the position but Russel postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Shane Falco wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Russel shoots and misses
and Falco counters with a flying knee. Nice.

Russel feints and as Falco raises his hands in defense, Russel changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Russel prevents Falco from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Russel is looking to work some ground and pound but Falco has wrist control.
Russel throwing strikes but missing.
Russel throwing strikes but missing.
Falco keeping moving, preventing Russel from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russel is looking to work some ground and pound but Falco has wrist control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Russel trying to control but Falco is working from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Falco holds on and takes a little breather.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Russel misses with a hook
and Falco counters with a slapping leg kick.
Russel fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Falco avoids it really well and circles away.
Shane Falco has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Russel.
Russel shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Falco as he avoids it easily.
Russel misses with an uppercut. Falco saw that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russel misses with a hook

and Falco counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Russel tries to roll over but Falco keeps him under control.
Russel wants to get back to full guard but Falco has mounted him!
Falco tries to control but Russel wriggling away.
Falco knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Russel on the ground.
Russel bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Falco trying to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Russel scoring with some ground and pound.
Russel pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Falco is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Russel with a flurry of punches that miss.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Russel accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Russel throwing strikes from guard but Falco blocks nicely.
Russel pushes down on Falco's leg and manages to get into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ben Russel will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Falco misses with a looping right.
Russel tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Falco was well out of range. Poor timing from Russel.
Russel connects with a crisp jab.

Falco gets caught flat footed, as Russel shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Russel keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Falco's head.
Russel throwing strikes but missing.
Russel throws an elbow that misses. Falco uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Russel's guard. Nice move by Falco!
Falco pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Russel is keeping the position for now.
Russel 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Falco tries to stand but Russel is controlling from the bottom.
Falco won't allow Russel to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russel striking from the bottom here.
Russel bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Falco's guard.
Russel is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Russel is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Falco avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Russel is working Falco over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Russel controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Russel wants to pass the guard but Falco is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Falco can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Russel controls the pace.
Russel is in close to Falco's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Russel postures up in Falco's guard and throws a big left but Falco blocks it.
Russel throwing strikes from guard but Falco blocks nicely.
Russel has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Russel working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Falco wants to stand but Russel is controlling the position.
Falco keeping moving, preventing Russel from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russel sitting in guard here, content to control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Russel passes into half guard.
Falco is trying to stand.
Falco regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Russel.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Russel throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Russel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Falco's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Russel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Russel rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Falco counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Russel!
Falco wants to stand but Russel has his arm trapped.
Russel tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Falco wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Falco tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Russel tries to buck Falco off but Falco is having none of it.
Russel is not content to let Falco control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Falco wants to stand but Russel is controlling his arm.
Russel is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Falco's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Falco seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Russel does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Russel tries to get to full guard but Falco has control of the leg.
Russel is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russel missing with punches from the bottom.
Russel keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Russel manages to get to full guard.
Russel trying to keep a closed guard but Falco is proving a slippery customer.
Russel wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Russel is on top in guard.
Russel chips away with some ground and pound.
Russel throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Falco works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Russel pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Falco is keeping the position for now.
Russel cracks Falco with a solid left hand.
Falco 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.
Russel stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Falco swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russel throwing strikes but missing.
Falco avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shane Falco has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Russel postures up and lands a big shot to Falco's brow.
Russel tries to free his leg and advance position but Falco is retaining full guard.
Ben Russel is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Russel landing with the ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Russel keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Falco's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ben Russel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Russel 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Russel!
Ben Russel managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Fight Night Nutrition, into his post fight interview.