PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nathaniel Hancock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Bird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Hancock
vs
Bird

164 cm
24
279 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

173 cm
22
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Hates pizza

Decent wrestler
Brawler
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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nathaniel Hancock!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, James Bird!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bird shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Bird was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Bird swings around for an armbar but Hancock sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Bird's guard.
Hancock throwing strikes from guard but Bird blocks nicely.
Bird seems keen to control Hancock's posture.
Bird is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Hancock stands and steps away. Bird gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Hancock looks to score with a jab to the body but Bird is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bird closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Hancock could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Hancock throws a series of punches but Bird moves out of range.

Hancock clinches up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
With the fighters up against the cage, Bird throws an elbow but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hancock is looking to take this one to the mat.
Hancock prevents a body shot from Bird.
Hancock drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Bird pulls guard effortlessly.
Hancock preventing the sweep.
Hancock stops Bird from standing up.
Hancock loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bird seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bird 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.
Hancock trying to stand up but can't free himself from Bird's guard.
Hancock postures up in Bird's guard and throws a big left but Bird blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hancock is looking to work some ground and pound but Bird has wrist control.
Bird avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bird looking for a sweep. Not yet Bird, not yet.
Bird is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
James Bird seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hancock fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hancock lands with a good body shot.
Hancock shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bird sprawls well. Bird wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hancock gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nathaniel Hancock. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hancock is looking to clinch.
Hancock tries to clinch but Bird is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bird shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hancock's guard.
Hancock trying to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bird won't allow Hancock to sweep him here.

Hancock working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bird doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bird manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Bird wants to control from the top but Hancock keeps moving.
Bird in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bird postures up in Hancock's guard and throws a big left but Hancock blocks it.
Bird trying to control the position from guard on top but Hancock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Bird moves in looking to clinch but Hancock pushes him off.

Bird shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bird showed some decent athleticism there.

Hancock looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hancock is looking to improve his position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Nathaniel Hancock will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hancock misses with the combination.

Bird shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bird showed some decent athleticism there.
Bird performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Bird is trying to control. Hancock wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hancock trying to control here.
Hancock wants to control the action here but instead Bird manages to pass to full mount!
Hancock tries to lock up and control but Bird gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Hancock manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Hancock looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Bird trying to mount his opponent but Hancock defends it.
James Bird has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hancock looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Bird wants to control but Hancock is keeping him busy.
Bird might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Hancock haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Hancock regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hancock keeping moving, preventing Bird from controlling successfully.
Bird works over Hancock with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hancock has Bird pulled in close to control his posture.
Hancock trying to keep a closed guard but Bird is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Bird fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hancock misses with a few strikes there.
Bird misses with the combination.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Bird enables Hancock to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Bird manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Bird preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Bird can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hancock preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hancock is standing up over Bird. Bird looks to escape but Hancock dives into side control.
Bird tries to control but Hancock manages to take his back.
Bird is really stuck here.
Even with his hooks in, Hancock manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Bird rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Bird is breathing heavily.
Bird tries to get to full guard but Hancock has control of the leg.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hancock drops an elbow to the side of Bird's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bird keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
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 Nathaniel Hancock will probably get the nod.
That's time! Hancock's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hancock walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Bird checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Bird blocks a leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hancock, right into the meat.
Hancock throws a left and a right that both miss

and Bird counters with a shoot takedown. Hancock fights it but they end up in guard.

Hancock pushes a forearm under Bird's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Bird is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:40 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Nathaniel Hancock!