PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Len Daniels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Francesco Albertini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Daniels
vs
Albertini

193 cm
23
220 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

178 cm
21
200 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Len Daniels!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Francesco Albertini!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Chris Edwards and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Daniels fails with a takedown attempt.
Albertini moves in looking to clinch but Daniels pushes him off.
Daniels shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Albertini pinned against the cage. Albertini gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Daniels decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Albertini is trying to control but can't.
Daniels is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Daniels tries to pass the half guard into mount. Albertini knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Daniels is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Albertini doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Daniels.
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.
Daniels frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Daniels will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniels thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Albertini holds on to Daniels around his waist, trying desperately to prevent any attacks.

Daniels goes for an armbar but Albertini turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Albertini.
Albertini wants to stand but Daniels has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Albertini trying to control but Daniels is working from the bottom.
Albertini stands and throws Daniels's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Daniels is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Daniels is working hard here to advance position.
Albertini is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Daniels will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Daniels is trying to get back to half guard.
Daniels tries to contro but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Albertini manages to capitalize on a mistake by Daniels to take his back!
Albertini trying to control momentarily.
Albertini controlling the position well here. Daniels rolled but Albertini kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Albertini is hanging on to Daniels's back as he tries to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daniels manages to reverse the position and now he's in Albertini's guard. Nice work there by Daniels.
Daniels stopping the sweep attempt from Albertini.
Daniels stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Albertini swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Daniels trying to move into half guard but instead Albertini has managed to sweep!
Albertini wants to stand but Daniels has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Daniels working for a triangle but Albertini defends it easily.
Daniels is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Daniels is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Albertini wants to control from the top but Daniels keeps moving.
Albertini tries to free his leg and advance position but Daniels is retaining full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Albertini trying to control the position from guard on top but Daniels is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Daniels looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Len Daniels will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Albertini closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Albertini tries to land a knee to the head but Daniels blocks with his arms.
Albertini tries to land a knee to the head but Daniels blocks with his arms.
Albertini lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Albertini should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Daniels tries for a takedown but Albertini manages to get underhooks.
Albertini missing with knees to the body.
Daniels is trying to stall.
Albertini misses with a knee strike.
Albertini misses with a knee strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Albertini.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Daniels pulls guard effortlessly.
Daniels bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Albertini's guard.
Albertini is breathing heavily.

Daniels drops back, looking for a kneebar! Albertini looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Albertini looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Albertini!
Daniels tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Albertini is looking to take a break and control but Daniels is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Albertini tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Daniels tries to bench press Albertini off him but Albertini keeps the position.

Albertini tries for a kimura but Daniels is defending well.
Daniels is looking to reverse the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Daniels closes this distance looking for a takedown but Albertini circles away.

Daniels shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Albertini's guard.
Daniels stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Albertini swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Albertini controls Daniels momentarily but Daniels frees himself.
Albertini keeping moving, preventing Daniels from controlling successfully.
Albertini is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Daniels advances to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daniels is tying to control. Albertini wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Albertini avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Daniels.
Albertini works his way to full guard. Good work.
Daniels trying to control but Albertini is working from the bottom.
Daniels stopping the sweep attempt from Albertini.
Daniels postures up in Albertini's guard and throws a big left but Albertini blocks it.
Albertini working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Daniels.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Albertini tries to close the distance and clinch but Daniels swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Albertini scores with a jab to the head.
Daniels shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Len Daniels. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Albertini throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
No luck for Daniels with that takedown attempt.
Daniels looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Albertini is fending him off so far but Daniels persists. Nope, Albertini circles away and we're back to standing.
Daniels throws a series of punches but Albertini moves out of range.
Albertini throws an overhand right that lands on Daniels's shoulder, as Daniels tries to avoid the shot.
Albertini tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Albertini wants to clinch up but Daniels keeps it at a distance.
Daniels swats away the attempt to clinch by Albertini.
Daniels is looking to clinch but Albertini is avoiding it.
Len Daniels is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Albertini wants to clinch.
Albertini connects with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Francesco Albertini will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Daniels darts in and clinches Albertini up against the ropes.
Daniels is looking to control Albertini's arms but Albertini gets an underhook and turns him. Now Daniels has his back to the ropes.
Albertini scores with a nice hook to the head.
Daniels takes a knee right on the jaw!

Albertini breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Daniels is looking to clinch but Albertini is avoiding it.
Albertini stuffs the takedown attempt from Daniels. Daniels gets slowly back to his feet.
Albertini avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Daniels on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Albertini gets caught flat footed, as Daniels shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Albertini 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.
Albertini trying to control the position.
Daniels trying to control but Albertini is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Albertini bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Daniels's guard.
Albertini advances to half guard.
Daniels wants to improve his position but Albertini is controlling well.
Albertini is keen to just control but Daniels is a slippery customer.

Daniels looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Albertini sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Daniels is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Daniels punching from the bottom.
Daniels tries to get to full guard but Albertini has control of the leg.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Daniels on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Albertini thuds a left hand into Daniels's body.
Albertini fails with an attempt to clinch.
Daniels drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Albertini tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Daniels paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Albertini ducks under a wild hook from Daniels.
Daniels looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Albertini is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daniels needs to keep his hands up - Albertini had a free shot at his head there.

Daniels scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Albertini regains half guard.

Daniels is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Daniels is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Albertini is just riding it out for now. Daniels eventually gives up the hold.

Daniels is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Albertini doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Daniels.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Albertini wants to get back to full guard.
Daniels passes to side control.
Albertini gets back to half guard.
Daniels trying to mount his opponent but Albertini defends it.
Daniels passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Albertini!

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Len Daniels.
I think Daniels has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Len Daniels!