PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wes Edwards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Radu Preda (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.

Edwards
vs
Preda

154 cm
18
214 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Wes Edwards!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Radu Preda!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Daniel Bishop and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Preda shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Edwards sprawls well. Edwards wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Preda gets slowly back to his feet.
Edwards fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Edwards shoots in for a double leg but Preda sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Preda.
Preda misses with a head kick.

Preda moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Preda keeps control of Edwards as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Edwards working hard to break the clinch.

Edwards breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Edwards misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Edwards. No joy for Preda on that attempt.
Wes Edwards has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Radu Preda.

Edwards drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Edwards stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Radu Preda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Preda shoots in looking for a takedown. Edwards tries to sprawl out of it but Preda keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Edwards manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Edwards seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Preda throws a head kick but Edwards moves out of range.
Preda fails with a takedown attempt.
Preda will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Edwards looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Edwards really is a fat lump.

Preda closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edwards misses with a punch on the inside.
Stalling in the clinch from Preda.
Preda blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Come on Edwards - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Edwards breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Preda misses with a kick to the body

and Edwards counters with a shoot takedown. Preda fights it but they end up in guard.

Preda scrambles and gets back to his feet.
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!
Nice takedown defense from Edwards. No joy for Preda on that attempt.
Preda looks winded!
Edwards throws a jab when Preda was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Edwards drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Edwards wants to lay and pray for a moment but Preda keeps working.
Preda tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Preda is letting Edwards control him for a moment.
Preda dodges the ground and pound from Edwards.

Edwards wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Preda, who protects the arm well.

Edwards decides to stand back up. Edwards steps back and let's Preda get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Edwards scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Edwards working over Preda with some ground and pound. Preda looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Preda controlling the position for now.
Edwards takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Preda keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Edwards sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Preda defending well though.
Preda is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Edwards thows a huge punch but Preda dodges it nicely.
Edwards trying to control the pace.

Edwards postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Preda to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Preda fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Edwards avoids it really well and circles away.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Preda throws a wild body kick that Edwards sees coming a mile off.

Preda clinches up against the cage.

Edwards pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Preda has closed the distance and engaged Edwards in a clinch.
Edwards prevents the takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Edwards breaks the clinch.
Preda shoots in and drives through. Edwards sprawls well.
Wes Edwards has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Radu Preda.
Edwards just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Preda moves into the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Edwards is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Preda can do to turn this around?
Edwards avoiding damage as Preda throws knees to the body.

Edwards's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Edwards drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Edwards stands up.

Edwards closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Preda is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Edwards scores with a couple of nice shots.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Preda is trying to control but can't.

Preda makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Preda is breathing heavily.

Preda moves into the clinch.
Preda jumps guard but Edwards turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Edwards breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Edwards misses with a series of wild punches.
Preda shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Edwards sprawls well. Edwards wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Preda gets slowly back to his feet.
Wes Edwards is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Edwards shoots for a double leg takedown but Preda sprawls well. He's pushed Edwards's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Edwards throws a combination that misses
and Preda counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Preda shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Edwards but Edwards pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Edwards closes the distance and clinches up with Preda, looking for a takedown. Edwards pushes Preda against the cage but Preda circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Preda looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Edwards throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Preda clinches up with Edwards and pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Edwards breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Preda tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Edwards defends well and Preda ends up having to push Edwards into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Preda throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Edwards stuffs the takedown.

Preda tries to sprawl but Edwards drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
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. Edwards connects with a nice short shot to Preda's temple.
Edwards scoring with strikes to the body and head.
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. Edwards connects with a nice short shot to Preda's temple.
Edwards thows a huge punch but Preda dodges it nicely.
Edwards scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Edwards sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Preda defending well though.

Edwards is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Wes Edwards will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Edwards swinging wildly here.
Preda dives in for a single leg takedown but Edwards sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

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

Edwards escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Preda is trying hard to land a takedown here. Edwards sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Preda tries for a takedown but Edwards sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Wes Edwards has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Radu Preda.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Edwards drives through with a takedown into Preda's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Edwards is working Preda over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Edwards might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Preda wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Edwards manages to pass to side control.
Edwards thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Preda takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edwards sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Preda defending well though.

Edwards seems to be looking for submissions.

Edwards escapes and gets back to his feet.
Edwards throws a sloppy head kick and Preda moves out of range easily.

Edwards gets tackled into the cage by Preda. Preda maintains the clinch.

Edwards breaks from the clinch.
Edwards fails to land the takedown.

Preda has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Edwards's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Preda has managed to clinch.
Preda tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Edwards avoids it.
Preda lands a right hand that snaps the head of Edwards backwards.

Edwards's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Preda throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Preda looks to land a body kick but Edwards moved away.
An attempted straight right counter from Edwards misses the target.

Preda clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Preda wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Edwards is trying to push Preda away but Preda has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Preda wants to break free but Edwards has control.

Preda's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Preda will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Edwards shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Preda is trying to defend but Edwards finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Edwards landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Edwards scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Preda is looking to improve his position.
Preda is not content to let Edwards control the position.

Edwards is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Preda has managed to free his arm - good work.
Preda is trying to control but can't.

Edwards seems to be looking for submissions.
Edwards trying to control from half guard but Preda is working away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Preda is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Edwards pulls his head out easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wes Edwards showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Edwards, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wes Edwards!