PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Cristobal Howe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Queeny Royal (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.

Howe
vs
Royal

215 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

224 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Cristobal Howe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Queeny Royal!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Andrew Berry and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Howe keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Royal just misses with a punch to the body.

Howe gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Howe drags the fight down to the ground.
Royal throws a big elbow that misses.
Royal wants to stand but Howe is controlling his posture from full guard.
Royal wants to control from the top but Howe keeps moving.
Howe is pulling down on Royal's head to control his posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howe's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Cristobal Howe.
Royal displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Howe.

Howe rushes Royal and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Howe just leaning against Royal, taking a breather.

Howe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Howe misses with a takedown
and Royal counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Howe is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Nice takedown defense from Royal. No joy for Howe on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cristobal Howe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Royal throws a left and a right that both miss

and Howe counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Howe.
Howe gets underhooks to prevent Royal's takedown attempt.
Royal wants a takedown but no success here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Howe manages to break the clinch.
Royal dives in and grabs Howe's left leg, looking for a takedown. Howe pushes down on Royal's head and hops out.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Howe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Howe gets a clinch.
Royal is trying to force a seperation but Howe has the dominant position.
Howe with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Royal wants to get back to striking at distance but Howe won't allow it.
Royal gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Howe.
Royal goes for a takedown in the clinch but Howe prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Royal misses with a knee to the head.
Howe is leaning against Royal and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Howe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Royal wants to clinch up but Howe keeps it at a distance.
Royal tries to clinch up but Howe circles away and keeps his distance.
Royal looks to clinch

and Howe moves into the clinch.

Howe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Howe rushes Royal and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Royal wants a takedown.
Howe keeps control of Royal as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Royal looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Howe breaks from the clinch.

Howe darts in and clinches Royal up against the cage.
Howe stops a takedown attempt from Royal.

Howe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Royal tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Howe paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Howe darts in looking for a takedown but Royal gets double underhooks and turns Howe into the cage.
Royal prevents the takedown attempt.

Howe drags the fight down to the ground.
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!
Royal wants to pass the guard but Howe is keeping the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Howe 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cristobal Howe dominated that 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.

Howe shoots in looking for a takedown but Royal manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Howe's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Royal tries to clinch there but Howe circles away.

Howe moves into the clinch.

Howe breaks from the clinch.

Howe rushes Royal and presses him up against the cage.
Howe has Royal pressed against the cage, preventing Royal from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Royal is trying to push Howe away but Howe has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Royal tries to circle away but Howe has him pinned against the cage.
Royal tries to pull guard but Howe holds him up against the cage and eventually Royal drops back down to his feet.
Royal trying to control the position but instead, Howe has worked for underhooks and has pushed Royal into the cage.
Royal is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Howe to keep the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howe drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Royal gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Royal is trying to pull guard but Howe turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Cristobal Howe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Queeny Royal.
Royal tries to pull guard but Howe won't allow it.

Howe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Howe really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Royal closes the distance and clinches.
Howe blocks an elbow strike.
Howe will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Royal up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howe has Royal pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Royal manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Howe controlling the action here for a moment.
Howe goes for a takedown attempt but Royal pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Queeny Royal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Royal throws a combination. Howe tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Royal blocks a head kick by Howe.
Royal fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Howe avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howe buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Royal dives in for a single leg takedown but Howe sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Royal is breathing heavily.
Howe is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Royal is defending well.
Howe keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Royal's efforts to push away.
Howe prevents a takedown attempt there.

Howe manages to pull guard.

Howe has his feet on Royal's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Howe lands a slapping body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Howe.
Royal circles away from the clinch attempt.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Howe.

Royal closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Howe is looking for a sweep.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Howe manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Royal trying to control here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Howe drops an elbow to the side of Royal's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Cristobal Howe will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Howe dives in and grabs Royal's left leg, looking for a takedown. Royal pushes down on Howe's head and hops out.
Howe shoots in but no luck this time.
Royal moves in looking to clinch but Howe pushes him off.
Howe looks for a takedown but Royal sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cristobal Howe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Howe defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Royal.
Royal wants to clinch up but Howe keeps it at a distance.
Royal tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Howe counters by clinching up.

Howe breaks from the clinch.
Howe shoots for a double leg takedown but Royal sprawls well. He's pushed Howe's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Royal scores with a spinning back kick!
Royal shoots in looking for a takedown but Howe manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Royal's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Royal throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Howe is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Royal fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Howe, pushing him back against the cage.
Oh Howe is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Royal pulls guard successfully.
Howe pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Royal is keeping the position for now.
Royal throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

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

Howe gets to his feet. Royal looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Howe.
Royal lands with a slapping head kick.
Nice shot lands for Royal.

Royal looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Howe!
Howe wants to get back to his feet but Royal is dominant here and he's now got Howe's back!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Royal controlling well, preventing Howe from escaping the position.

Royal has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Howe has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Howe grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Royal has the hooks in. Howe is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Royal is punishing Howe with some ground and pound.
Royal is controlling the position but Howe somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.
Howe tries to roll over but Royal keeps him under control.
Nice strikes from Royal there.
Royal controlling the action here.
Royal trying to control the action but Howe is working from the bottom.

Royal is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Howe doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Royal.
Royal tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Howe.
Royal is looking to take a break and control but Howe is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Royal is nestled in close to Howe, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Royal working Howe over with strikes.
Royal wants to stand up but Howe has a hold of him and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Howe wants to control but Royal is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howe is trying to control but Royal manages to pass to mount!
Howe is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Royal landing strikes, looking to finish!
Royal pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Howe really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Royal raining down shots from the mount!
Royal landing shots from mount.
Royal controlling from mount.
Royal lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Howe hang on?
Royal lands a heavy elbow.
The referee warns Howe that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Howe is in all sorts of trouble here.
Howe wants to hold on but Royal pushes him away.
Royal looking to finish Howe with some ground and pound. This is bad for Howe!
Howe is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Howe defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Royal.
Royal dominating with strikes here.
Howe in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Howe throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Royal cracks Howe with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Royal controlling the pace for now.
Royal connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

Royal is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Howe has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Howe wants to try and get back to his feet.
Howe tries to hold on but Royal postures up.

Royal is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Howe has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Royal is landing with some decent strikes but Howe is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Royal trying to control but Howe is having none of it.

Royal wants to finish this one by submission but Howe is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Royal.
Howe seems to have got his legs back now.
Howe is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howe throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Howe wants to hold on but Royal pushes him away.

Howe bucks up and throws Royal to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!
Royal scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Howe changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Royal tries to avoid it but Howe manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Royal to the ground. Royal escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Royal is defended easily by Howe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howe shoots in and drives through. Royal sprawls well.
Royal lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Royal stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Royal wants it to stay on the feet.
Howe fails with a takedown attempt.
Royal looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Howe is fending him off so far but Royal persists. Nope, Howe circles away and we're back to standing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Royal tries to clinch but Howe moves away

and Howe holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Howe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Queeny Royal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Howe 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 James Atkins scores the fight 29:28
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cristobal Howe!