PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Austin Worner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Floyd Howard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Worner
vs
Howard

170 cm
30
146 lbs
19 - 20 - 0

150 cm
30
130 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

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 19 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Austin Worner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Floyd Howard!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Worner keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Worner with a lazy takedown attempt

and Howard counters with a takedown into side control.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Howard taking a breather here.

Howard decides to stand back up.
Worner shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Howard counters with a shoot takedown. Worner fights it but they end up in guard.
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!
Howard engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Floyd Howard.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Worner enables Howard to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Worner manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Howard engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Floyd Howard was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Worner with a lazy takedown attempt
and Howard counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Austin Worner. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Howard drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Howard wants to stand but Worner has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Howard pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Worner is keeping the position for now.
Howard 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.
Howard must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Floyd Howard was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Worner tries for a takedown but Howard circles away easily

and Howard counters with a shoot takedown. Worner fights it but they end up in guard.

Howard decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Worner tries to keep at a distance but Howard has taken the fight into the clinch.

Howard escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Howard shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Worner napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Worner prevents Howard from moving into mount.
Howard working the strikes but Worner uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howard perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Howard wants to free his trapped foot but Worner is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Well, if Howard is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Floyd Howard.
Howard throws a series of punches but Worner moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Worner misses with a takedown

and Howard counters with a single leg into guard. Worner didn't expect that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Floyd Howard dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Worner with a lazy takedown attempt

and Howard counters by clinching up.

Howard breaks from the clinch.
Worner misses with a takedown
and Howard counters with a stiff right hand.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Howard.
Howard slows the pace down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Worner is trying to control Howard's posture but Howard avoids it.
Howard is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Worner's shoulder. That is not cool.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Floyd Howard wasn't active enough on the ground.

Worner gets caught napping as Howard dives in and scores a takedown. Worner manages to retain guard.
Howard is looking to advance position but Worner has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howard is looking to improve his position but Worner isn't that keen on the idea.

Worner goes for an armbar but Howard turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Howard.
Howard sitting in guard here, content to control.

Worner is working an open guard so Howard takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Howard drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Worner working a defensive guard here.
Howard sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Floyd Howard was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Worner with a lazy takedown attempt

and Howard counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Austin Worner. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Howard wants the takedown. Worner is fighting it off but Howard persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Worner's guard against the cage.
Howard is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Howard looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Worner not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Howard controls from within his opponent's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Austin Worner just wasn't active enough.
Worner doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Howard counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Worner's guard now.
Worner will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Howard is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Floyd Howard hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Worner misses with a takedown attempt

and Howard counters with a nice double leg into side control. Worner won't be happy with that.

Howard decides to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Floyd Howard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Howard shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Howard showed some decent athleticism there.
Howard missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Worner trying to control here.
Howard 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.

Howard is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Worner has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Worner regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Howard.
Howard has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Howard stands up from Worner's guard - Howard perhaps looking for a knockout.

Howard shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howard tries to pass to full mount but Worner defends it.
Howard trying to control the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Floyd Howard was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Worner moves out of range as Howard strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Worner with a poor takedown

and Howard counters with a takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Howard just content to control the position.
Howard landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Howard landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Howard 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howard lands a nice forearm strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Worner is trying to control Howard's posture but Howard avoids it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

And that's the end of the fight!
Floyd Howard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Howard 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 26:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 26:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Floyd Howard!