PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Abram Watkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chuck Targo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Abram Watkins has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Watkins
vs
Targo

213 cm
18
150 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

160 cm
19
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Abram Watkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chuck Targo!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Jorge Garcia and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Targo drives through and clinches with Watkins against the cage.
Targo lands a body shot.

Targo breaks from the clinch.

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

Targo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Watkins tries to score a power double leg takedown but Targo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Watkins somewhat.

Targo gets a clinch.
Watkins really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Targo dodges an elbow strike from Watkins.
Targo is trying to break free.

Targo jumps into guard, dragging Watkins to the mat.
Watkins throws a big elbow that misses.
Watkins throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Targo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Watkins drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Targo dives on top into guard.
Watkins wants to improve his position but instead Targo has moved into half guard.
Watkins makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Watkins.
Targo throwing strikes but missing.
Watkins will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Watkins has a closed guard, preventing Targo from standing up.
Watkins looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Targo tries to free his leg and advance position but Watkins is retaining full guard.
Targo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watkins lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Targo!
Watkins lands a big elbow.
Watkins looking to control but Targo is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Targo wants to control but Watkins is having none of it.

Watkins swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Targo is now in Watkins's guard. A big mistake from Watkins there, giving up the dominant position!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Watkins keeping moving, preventing Targo from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Watkins is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Targo can't break the clinch.
Targo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Watkins has had enough of the clinch but Targo keeps him there for the moment.
Watkins blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Targo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Targo forces Watkins back against the cage and clinches.

Targo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Watkins misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watkins keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Targo.
A head kick from Targo lands but Watkins takes it in his stride.

Watkins is rocked!

It looks like Abram Watkins has been cut.
Targo throws a left and a right that both miss

and Watkins counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Watkins.
Targo is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Targo has Watkins pressed against the cage.
Targo is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Targo is trying to break free.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Targo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chuck Targo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Abram Watkins's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Watkins closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Targo did well to prevent Watkins getting side control.

Watkins seems to be working for a kimura but Targo defends the submission attempt.
Watkins not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Targo is trying to get back to full guard.
Watkins thows a huge punch but Targo dodges it nicely.
We've been informed that Targo has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Watkins is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Targo defends it well.

Watkins 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Watkins connects with a nice short shot to Targo's temple.
Watkins prevents Targo from standing back up.
Watkins throwing shots but Targo is blocking nicely.
Targo regains full guard. Nicely done.
Targo working a defensive guard here.
Targo is breathing heavily.
Watkins lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watkins throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Targo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Watkins working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Watkins accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Watkins scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Watkins gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Targo throws a wild body kick that Watkins sees coming a mile off.
Targo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Targo wants it to stay on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Targo. No joy for Watkins on that attempt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Targo lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Watkins misses with a takedown

and Targo counters by moving into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abram Watkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Targo just leaning against Watkins, taking a breather.
Targo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Watkins tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

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

Watkins gets tackled into the cage by Targo. Targo maintains the clinch.
Watkins tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Watkins.

Targo manages to break the clinch.
Targo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Targo forces Watkins back against the cage and clinches.

Targo breaks from the clinch.
Targo throws a right hand that Watkins ducks under and follows up with a left that Watkins also avoids with ease.

Watkins looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Targo!
Watkins 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.

Watkins looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Targo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Watkins. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Targo tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Watkins easily slips into full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abram Watkins dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Abram Watkins's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Targo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Watkins, pushing him back against the cage.
Targo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Watkins walks away with a smile on his face. Targo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Watkins misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Watkins slips a jab and a cross from Targo.

Watkins scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Watkins in side control, working for a kimura. He's got hold of an arm and he's torquing it... Targo is tapping! That's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Abram Watkins!