PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Devin Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Trade (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Devin Couture has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Couture
vs
Trade

187 cm
32
186 lbs
12 - 21 - 0

182 cm
26
190 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Sparta Fightware

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Devin Couture!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jack Trade!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Trade fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Couture shoots and misses

and Trade counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Trade.
Couture wants to stand up but Trade is controlling him.
Couture keeping moving, preventing Trade from controlling successfully.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Trade's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Trade throws a big right hand that misses.

Couture had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Trade defends it easily.

Couture is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Trade is aware though and is defending well.
Couture is trying to keep Trade in close.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Couture bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Trade's guard.
Couture scoring with some ground and pound.
Couture 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.
Trade is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture controls from within his opponent's guard.

Trade has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Couture can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Trade looking to hit a scissor sweep but Couture is one step ahead there.
Trade controls Couture momentarily but Couture frees himself.
Couture controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Couture throws a strike but Trade rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Trade wants to control from the top but Couture keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Couture is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Trade defends well.
Trade must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Couture working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Trade doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Trade manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Couture wants to sweep here but Trade controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Trade postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Couture utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Trade won't allow Couture to sweep him here.
Trade throwing strikes but missing.

Couture has his foot on Trade's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Trade works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Trade trying to control but Couture is working from the bottom.
Trade in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Trade landing some decent shots from guard.
Trade wants to get up but he can't break Couture's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Trade wants to control from the top but Couture keeps moving.
Trade is looking to work some ground and pound but Couture has wrist control.
Trade is looking to stand up but Couture won't let him.
Couture trying to control the position here.
Trade trying to control the position from guard on top but Couture is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Jack Trade wasn't active enough on the ground.
Trade lands with a straight right. Couture didn't see that one coming.
Couture tries for a takedown but Trade circles away easily

and Trade counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Trade.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Couture has a closed guard, preventing Trade from standing up.

Trade got a little sloppy there for a moment and Couture has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Trade has managed to get both his arms back between Couture's legs - danger averted.
Trade scoring with some ground and pound.

Couture scrambles and gets back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Danga de danga de dang - Trade scores with a four punch combination!
Trade is looking to slow Couture down with leg kicks.
Trade fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Trade dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Couture shoots and misses

and Trade counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Couture!
The ground and pound from Trade seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Couture on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Couture tries to get out of the position.
Couture is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Trade off and has taken his back!
Trade trying to control the position but Couture manages to sink in the hooks.

Trade fending off the submission attempt from Couture.
Couture connects with a big shot to the side of Trade's head.
Couture keeps control of the position as Trade tries to break free.
Trade is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Couture slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
You can see the frustration on Trade's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Trade trying to control the hands but Couture won't let him.
Couture controlling well, preventing Trade from escaping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture avoiding Trade 's attempts to control his hands.
Couture is working the ground and pound. Can Trade escape?
Jack Trade has got the better of the ground game so far.
Trade trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Good control from Couture.
Couture is landing with strikes. Trade can't take much more of this.
Trade rolls, trying to escape but Couture keeps control of the position.
Trade trying to control but not successfully.
Couture is hanging on to Trade's back as he tries to escape.
Couture scores with punches from the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Couture has the hooks in. Trade is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
I would not like to be Trade right now.
I really don't envy Trade right now.
Couture trying to control.

Couture is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Couture scores with punches to the body.
Couture really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Trade.
Couture lands strikes to the head.
Couture 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.
Couture is landing with strikes from the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Couture looking to break Trade's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Trade remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Couture will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Couture lands punches and elbows.
Couture biding his time, looking for the opening.
Couture is landing with strikes from the back.
Couture trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Couture throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Trade!
Trade trying to control but not successfully.
Couture is hanging on to Trade's back as he tries to escape.

Couture is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Trade knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Trade for a finish.
Couture scores with strikes from the back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Couture is hanging on to Trade's back as he tries to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trade trying to control the hands but Couture breaks the grip.
Trade wants to escape the position.
Couture is trying to stick to Trade's back but Trade is turning into Couture. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Couture's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Trade.

Couture wriggles free and stands up.
Couture on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

Couture closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Trade quickly recovers to half guard.
Trade is trying to get back to full guard.
Trade is breathing heavily.
Trade trying to control here.
Trade is staying active underneath Couture, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Trade trying to control but Couture postures up.
Couture prevents Trade from improving his position.

Couture looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Devin Couture dominated that second round.
That's time! Couture's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Trade slaps away a takedown attempt from Couture, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Trade lands a jab to the nose.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Couture shoots and misses

and Trade counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Trade.
Trade in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Trade loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Trade gets to his feet - Couture follows without any prompting.
Trade stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Devin Couture. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Trade gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Couture drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Couture jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Trade is trying to keep Couture in close.
Couture is looking to work some ground and pound but Trade has wrist control.
Couture throws a strike but Trade rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Couture pushes Trade off and gets back to his feet.
Couture has his takedown stuffed

and Trade counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Trade tries to stand and escape but Couture is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trade wants to take a breather but Couture is having none of it.
Trade stops Couture from getting back to his feet.
Trade wants to control but Couture is keeping him busy.
Trade scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Couture is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Trade wants to work for an arm triangle but Couture is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Couture is staying active underneath Trade, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Couture gets back to full guard.
Couture working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Trade.
Trade is in close to Couture's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Couture is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Trade is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Couture pushes Trade off and scrambles back to his feet.
Couture on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Jack Trade is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Trade connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Couture has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Trade.
Trade lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A slapping leg kick lands for Trade.
Couture with a poor takedown

and Trade decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Couture's guard.
Trade chips away with some ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Trade trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Trade seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Trade wants to control from the top but Couture keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trade in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Trade postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Trade throws a strike but Couture rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Trade trying to keep a closed guard but Couture is proving a slippery customer.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Trade preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Trade is trying to keep Couture in close.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Trade comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Trade 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Trade!