PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gregorio Russell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Woodrow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paul Woodrow has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Gregorio Russell's chin.

Russell
vs
Woodrow

216 cm
18
278 lbs
0 - 6 - 0

190 cm
18
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gregorio Russell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Paul Woodrow!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Alan Glass and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Woodrow manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Russell on his heels. He'll look to pass Russell's guard now, I'm sure.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Woodrow trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Russell will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Woodrow trying to control the position from guard on top but Russell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Woodrow stopping the sweep attempt from Russell.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Woodrow controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
It looks like Woodrow might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Woodrow must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Paul Woodrow hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Woodrow fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Russell sprawls well initially but Woodrow persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Woodrow decides to return to a standing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Woodrow feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Russell manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Woodrow manages to get himself to full guard.
Woodrow wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Russell trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Woodrow lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Woodrow with a flurry of punches that miss.
Woodrow stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Russell swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Russell is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Woodrow stays in close to Russell's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Russell working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Woodrow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Paul Woodrow wasn't active enough on the ground.
Woodrow moves to clinch but Russell breaks away

and Russell counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Russell.
Russell fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Woodrow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Woodrow has Russell pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Woodrow pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Russell tumbling to the mat - Woodrow dives into Russell's guard.
Woodrow trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Russell looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Woodrow wants to get up but he can't break Russell's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Russell tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Woodrow throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Russell works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Woodrow 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.
Woodrow 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Paul Woodrow was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Woodrow.
Russell is letting Woodrow control him for a moment.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Woodrow stands up and we're back to a striking position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Woodrow throws a head kick that misses

and Russell counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Russell jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Woodrow walks away with a smile on his face. Russell gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Woodrow wants to clinch up but Russell keeps it at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Woodrow dominated that round.
That's time! Russell's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Woodrow shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Russell napping and manages to drive through into side control!
You can see the frustration on Russell's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Russell gets back to half guard.
Woodrow trying to advance position but Russell counters by regaining guard.
Russell controls Woodrow momentarily but Woodrow frees himself.
Woodrow is stalling in the full guard.
Russell is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Woodrow wants to control but Russell is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Woodrow manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Russell keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Woodrow turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Russell sneaks back into half guard.
Russell trying to control but Woodrow postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Woodrow throwing shots but Russell is blocking nicely.
Woodrow with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Woodrow trying to control from half guard but Russell is working away.
Russell wants to control but Woodrow is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Russell looks like he's trying to stand up.
This has been an exciting period of action!

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Woodrow misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Woodrow tries to clinch there but Russell circles away.
Russell slips a jab and a cross from Woodrow.
Woodrow is breathing heavily.

Woodrow is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Russell's half guard.

Woodrow decides to stand up.

Woodrow drives through with a takedown into guard.
Russell trying to control the position.
Woodrow trying to control but Russell is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Woodrow is controlling him.
Russell trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Woodrow trying to control but Russell is working from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Paul Woodrow was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Woodrow tries to clinch but Russell is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Woodrow drives through with a takedown into Russell's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Woodrow showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Woodrow feints and as Russell raises his hands in defense, Woodrow changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Russell looking to control.
Russell looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Russell is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Russell is trying to control. Woodrow wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Woodrow wants to get back to full guard.
Russell wants to take a breather but Woodrow is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Gregorio Russell wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Woodrow moves in looking to clinch but Russell pushes him off.
Russell throws a combination. Woodrow tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Woodrow throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Russell tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Woodrow is in Russell's guard.
Woodrow takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Woodrow postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Woodrow passes into half guard.
Woodrow content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Woodrow. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Woodrow wants to lay and pray for a moment but Russell keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Woodrow is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Russell trying to control from the bottom.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Woodrow is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Russell manages to get to full guard.
Russell tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Paul Woodrow.
Russell throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Woodrow.

Woodrow closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Russell to the mat! Russell manages to get full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Russell is on top in guard.
Woodrow thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Woodrow throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Woodrow has control of Russell's left arm, preventing Russell from doing any damage.
Russell trying to control the position from guard on top but Woodrow is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Woodrow trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Woodrow keeping moving, preventing Russell from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Gregorio Russell just wasn't active enough.
Woodrow tries to clinch but Russell is having none of it.

Woodrow shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Russell napping and manages to drive through into side control!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Woodrow tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Woodrow has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Woodrow trying to control the action but Russell is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Woodrow comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Woodrow winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Woodrow!