PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Loren Castillo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tirion Foredragon (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.

Castillo
vs
Foredragon

199 cm
24
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

168 cm
25
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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, Loren Castillo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Tirion Foredragon!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, James Ackerman and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Foredragon closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Castillo's guard.
Foredragon wants to pass the guard but Castillo is keeping the position.
Foredragon is stalling in the full guard.

Foredragon stands and steps away. Castillo gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Foredragon misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Foredragon swats away the attempt to clinch by Castillo.
Despite the aggression on Foredragon's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Foredragon looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Foredragon drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Castillo manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Foredragon has Castillo in his guard.

Foredragon is looking to stand up but Castillo isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castillo showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Castillo trying to control but Foredragon is working from the bottom.
Foredragon is controlling Castillo's posture.
Castillo really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Castillo trying to control the position from guard on top but Foredragon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Foredragon 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.
Castillo will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Foredragon wants to stand up but Castillo is controlling him.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Castillo throwing strikes but missing.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Foredragon drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Castillo wants to stand and escape but Foredragon is having none of it.
Foredragon looking to sit in guard and control but Castillo gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Castillo throws a big elbow that misses.
Castillo slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Foredragon pulls Castillo in to control the position.
Castillo stopping the sweep attempt from Foredragon.
Foredragon working a defensive guard but Castillo manages to pass into side control anyway.
Castillo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Foredragon keeps working.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Foredragon is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Castillo's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tirion Foredragon dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Castillo is working an open guard so Foredragon takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Foredragon bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Castillo is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Foredragon has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Castillo tries to sprawl but Foredragon drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Castillo is not content to let Foredragon control the position.
Foredragon is pressing down on Castillo's thigh, looking to free his foot. Castillo is holding on for now.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Foredragon is controlling the pace.
Foredragon seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castillo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Foredragon scores with a takedown into Castillo's guard.
Castillo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Foredragon is looking to escape.
Foredragon is staying active underneath Castillo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Foredragon throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Castillo controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Foredragon pushes Castillo off looking to stand but Castillo dives back in and keeps control.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Foredragon wants to control but Castillo is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Castillo takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Foredragon wants to control but Castillo is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Foredragon wants to control but Castillo passes into side.
Foredragon manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tirion Foredragon showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Foredragon dives in and scores a takedown into Castillo's guard.
Foredragon is looking to stand up but Castillo won't let him.
Foredragon trying to control the position from guard on top but Castillo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Foredragon postures up.

Foredragon gets to his feet. Castillo looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Castillo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Foredragon sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Castillo somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Foredragon.

Foredragon goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Castillo has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Foredragon but great work by Castillo.
Foredragon is trying to improve his position.
Foredragon looks to move to half guard but instead Castillo has passed into mount! Damn!
Castillo tries to control but Foredragon wriggling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Foredragon really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Castillo avoids the attempt from Foredragon to control.

Castillo stands up from mount. Strange move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castillo shoots in looking for a takedown but Foredragon manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Castillo's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Castillo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Foredragon sprawls well. Foredragon wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Castillo gets slowly back to his feet.
Castillo sets himself, and Foredragon steps forward looking for the clinch! Castillo avoids it this time.
Tirion Foredragon is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Loren Castillo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Foredragon closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Castillo's guard.
Foredragon is looking to stand up but Castillo won't let him.
Foredragon trying to control but Castillo is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Foredragon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Castillo is keeping the position for now.
Foredragon passes Castillo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Foredragon takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Foredragon shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Castillo is trying to defend but Foredragon finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tirion Foredragon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Foredragon 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tirion Foredragon!
An out of breath Tirion Foredragon thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.