PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joe Hales (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruce Buffer (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.

Hales
vs
Buffer

182 cm
25
194 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Joe Hales!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bruce Buffer!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, William Peck and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hales shoots in for a takedown but Buffer shows good takedown defense.
Hales pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Buffer slaps away a takedown attempt from Hales, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hales fails in his attempt to clinch.
Buffer throws a solid leg kick but Hales takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Buffer.
It looked like Hales was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Buffer tries a low kick but Hales avoids it.

Hales bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Buffer is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
Hales working away.

Hales wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Buffer, who protects the arm well.
Buffer regains half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Buffer desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Buffer gets full guard.
Buffer controlling Hales's posture.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hales accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hales trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Buffer is pulling down on Hales's head to control his posture.
Buffer is continuing to stall.
The adventures of Buffer the control monster continue. Boring.
Buffer bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hales's guard.

Buffer has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Hales is proving hard to escape from.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Buffer preventing the sweep.
Buffer wants to get up but he can't break Hales's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hales wants to stand but Buffer is controlling the position.
Buffer has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Hales is proving hard to escape from.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Hales manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Buffer wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hales has him pressed against the cage.

Buffer pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hales tries a head kick but it misses.
Hales blocks a low kick nicely.
Buffer is looking to score with low kicks.
Buffer tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Hales is able to avoid easily.
Hales lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Buffer tries to score with a low kick but Hales moves his leg out of the way.
Good work by Hales as he checks the leg kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Hales blocks the leg kick.
Buffer shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Hales checks the leg kick.
Bruce Buffer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buffer throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Hales checks a leg kick.

Buffer moves into the clinch.
Buffer is looking to control Hales's arms but Hales gets an underhook and turns him. Now Buffer has his back to the cage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Buffer blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hales crunches a lovely knee into Buffer's ribcage.
Buffer looks winded!
Hales is stalling here.
Buffer blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hales unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Hales's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hales tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Hales has managed to clinch.
Buffer wants to break free but Hales has control.
Hales scores a nice knee to the body.
Hales using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hales scores a nice knee to the body.
Hales landing knees to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Knees in the clinch landing for Hales.
Hales using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Buffer tries to break free but Hales pushes him back against the cage.
Hales scores with a knee to the head.

Hales drags the fight down to the ground.

Hales pushes Buffer off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Hales throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Buffer tries to keep at a distance but Hales has taken the fight into the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Knees in the clinch landing for Hales.
Hales lands a good knee to the midsection. Buffer won't want to take too many of those.
Hales lands a nice knee to the body.
Hales misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Buffer.
Hales tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Buffer avoids it.
Hales tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Buffer avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hales tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Buffer manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Buffer tries to clinch but Hales is having none of it.
Hales is looking to clinch.
Hales tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hales throws a head kick that misses.

Hales gets a clinch.
Buffer wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hales misses with a knee to the head.
Hales tries a knee to the head but Buffer blocks it.
Hales landing knees to the head.
Hales looking to slow down the pace here.
Buffer takes a knee right on the jaw!
Joe Hales has scored more points in the clinch so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Buffer breaks the clinch.
Buffer finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Buffer tries to clinch but Hales is having none of it.

Buffer gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Buffer is trying to push Hales away but Hales has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Buffer looking to slow down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Hales.
Buffer is breathing heavily.
Buffer is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Buffer breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hales misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Buffer misses with a low kick.
Hales throws a sloppy head kick and Buffer moves out of range easily.
Hales tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Buffer is looking to chop away at Hales's legs.
Hales seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Buffer wants to clinch.
Hales throws a counter high kick but Buffer was just alert enough to avoid it.
Bruce Buffer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hales fails in his attempt to clinch.
Buffer steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Hales.
Hales throws a head kick but Buffer moves out of range.
Buffer keeps the fight on the outside.
Buffer doesn't manage to clinch there - Hales circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Buffer tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Hales counters with a one-two to the body.
Joe Hales is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hales tries to close the distance and clinch up but Buffer swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Buffer keeps the fight on the outside.
Buffer throws a leg kick but Hales sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Hales throws a big counter combination but Buffer scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Buffer is looking to clinch but Hales is avoiding it.
Hales appears to be looking for a big counter.
Hales tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Buffer manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Buffer keeps the fight on the outside.
Buffer tries to clinch but Hales moves out of range.
Hales is looking for a counter combo.
Hales is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hales tries to clinch up.
Hales misses with a takedown attempt - Buffer sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Buffer fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hales lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Buffer tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hales swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Buffer moves into the clinch.
Buffer is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hales is keeping busy.
Buffer managing to block the knees to the body from Hales.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hales with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hales scores a nice knee to the body.
Hales with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Buffer looking to stall.
Hales with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hales letting Buffer take a breather here.
Hales missing with knees to the body.
Hales tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Buffer avoids it.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Buffer tries to circle away but Hales has him pinned against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hales as Buffer tries to tie him up.

Hales breaks from the clinch.
Hales tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hales fails in his attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hales looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hales sets himself, and Buffer steps forward looking for the clinch! Hales avoids it this time.
Buffer throws a low kick but Hales moves out of range easily.
Hales keeps the fight on the outside.
Buffer doesn't manage to clinch there - Hales circles away.

Buffer closes the distance and clinches.
Buffer taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Hales looking to throw knees to the head but Buffer is blocking nicely.
Buffer is stalling here.
Buffer stalling in the clinch.
Hales crunches a lovely knee into Buffer's ribcage.
Hales with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Buffer in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Hales utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hales is struggling to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Hales dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Hales shoots in for a double leg but Buffer sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hales checks a leg kick.
Hales throws a head kick that misses.
Hales tries to clinch but Buffer is having none of it.
Buffer misses with a low kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hales is defended easily by Buffer.
Buffer wants to counter the offense by Hales and move into the clinch position.
Some bone on bone action there as Hales checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Buffer attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Buffer has Hales up against the cage in a clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Buffer manages to break the clinch.
Buffer misses with a low kick.
Buffer blocks a head kick by Hales.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hales misses with a head kick.
Hales wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hales tries a head kick but it misses.
Buffer moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hales tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Buffer paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hales tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Buffer throws a low kick, looking for Hales's leg but Hales calmly moves out of range.
Buffer throws a front kick aimed at Hales's knee but Hales avoids it well.
Hales tries to clinch but Buffer is having none of it.
Buffer blocks a head kick by Hales.
Buffer tries to work over Hales's front leg with a kick but Hales checks it.
Buffer is looking to chop away at Hales's legs.
Buffer will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Buffer throws a leg kick but Hales sees it coming and moves out of range.
Hales tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Buffer manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hales is looking to clinch but Buffer is avoiding it.
Hales tries to close the distance and clinch up but Buffer swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Buffer keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Hales. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Buffer has closed the distance and engaged Hales in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Buffer is trying to maintain a safe position but Hales gets an underhook and turns Buffer into the cage.
Hales lands a knee to the body.
Hales is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Buffer is defending well for now.
Buffer looking to slow down the pace here.
Buffer manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Buffer tries to circle away but Hales has him pinned against the cage.
Buffer wants to stall.
Hales tries to land knees in the clinch but Buffer avoids the damage to the body.
Hales unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Buffer is trying to push Hales away but Hales has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Hales tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Buffer avoids it.
Hales is looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buffer wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hales is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Buffer is defending well for now.
Buffer stalling in the clinch.
Hales with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Buffer wants to stall.
Joe Hales is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Buffer has Hales pressed against the cage.
Hales tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Buffer avoids it.
Buffer is trying to stall.
Buffer taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Bruce Buffer.
Buffer finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Buffer tries to land a leg kick but Hales saw it coming and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hales checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Hales avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Buffer will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Hales is looking to clinch but Buffer is avoiding it.
Hales throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Hales tries to clinch but Buffer moves out of range.
Bruce Buffer seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Buffer swats away the attempt to clinch by Hales.
Buffer tries to clinch up but Hales circles away and keeps his distance.
Hales shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Buffer sprawls well. Buffer wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hales gets slowly back to his feet.
Buffer throws a leg kick but Hales sees it coming and moves out of range.
Hales lands a head kick. Buffer smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hales has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Buffer.
Hales throws a right and a left that Buffer avoids nicely.
Buffer throws a leg kick which misses Hales's front leg but catches the back leg as Hales tries to avoid it.
Bruce Buffer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hales throws a sloppy head kick and Buffer moves out of range easily.
Hales tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bruce Buffer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hales 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight for Joe Hales!
Judge William Peck scores the fight for Joe Hales!
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight for Joe Hales!

Joe Hales wins by unanimous decision!