PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Beckett Bellwether (ranked 1164 p4p, 148 weight class) and Milktoast Diddlybottom (ranked 1029 p4p, 130 weight class). Bellwether comes into the arena with John Lennon - Give Peace A Chance blaring out of the sound system. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Bellwether
vs
Diddlybottom

180 cm
30
275 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

213 cm
27
276 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Beckett Bellwether!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Milktoast Diddlybottom!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, John Kavanagh and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bellwether is trying hard to land a takedown here. Diddlybottom sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Diddlybottom shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Bellwether has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Diddlybottom is looking to work some ground and pound but Bellwether has wrist control.
Diddlybottom postures up.
Diddlybottom trying to control but Bellwether is working from the bottom.
Bellwether not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Diddlybottom with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bellwether is trying to control the position but Diddlybottom postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diddlybottom trying to control the position from guard on top but Bellwether is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bellwether is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bellwether throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Bellwether can't keep his opponent in guard - Diddlybottom advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Diddlybottom looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Bellwether trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Diddlybottom manages to pass to mount!
Bellwether holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Diddlybottom tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Bellwether sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Diddlybottom prevents Bellwether from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.

Diddlybottom is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Bellwether doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Diddlybottom.
Diddlybottom missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bellwether blocking the ground and pound attempt from Diddlybottom.
Bellwether works his way to full guard. Good work.
Bellwether working a defensive guard but Diddlybottom manages to pass into side control anyway.
Diddlybottom sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Bellwether is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Bellwether is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bellwether regains half guard.
Diddlybottom looks to land a strike but Bellwether avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

Diddlybottom drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Diddlybottom jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Bellwether working a defensive guard here.
Diddlybottom throwing strikes from guard but Bellwether blocks nicely.
Diddlybottom with a nice head shot there.
Bellwether not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Diddlybottom trying to control but Bellwether is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bellwether had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Diddlybottom defends it easily.
Diddlybottom trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Bellwether throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Diddlybottom postures up in Bellwether's guard and throws a big left but Bellwether blocks it.
Bellwether utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bellwether working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Diddlybottom.
Bellwether looking to control.

Bellwether throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Bellwether controls Diddlybottom momentarily but Diddlybottom frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Milktoast Diddlybottom dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bellwether clinches with his opponent.
Bellwether lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Diddlybottom.
Bellwether trying to stall but Diddlybottom improves his position.

Diddlybottom turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Check out the look on Diddlybottom's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Bellwether is looking for a sweep.
An elbow from Diddlybottom crashes against the mat.
Bellwether gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Bellwether blocking the ground and pound attempt from Diddlybottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diddlybottom throws a strike but Bellwether avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Bellwether is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bellwether managing to control the position.
Bellwether keeping moving, preventing Diddlybottom from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diddlybottom controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Bellwether is trying to keep Diddlybottom in close.
Diddlybottom looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Diddlybottom passes into half guard.
Bellwether wants to improve his position but Diddlybottom is controlling well.
Milktoast Diddlybottom has got the better of the ground game so far.

Diddlybottom is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Diddlybottom seems to be looking for submissions.
Bellwether tries to roll over but Diddlybottom keeps him under control.
Bellwether moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Bellwether controls Diddlybottom momentarily but Diddlybottom frees himself.

Diddlybottom is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Bellwether trying to keep a closed guard but Diddlybottom is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diddlybottom is pushing down on Bellwether's leg trying to pass to half guard. Bellwether is fighting to maintain full guard but Diddlybottom has managed to sneak the leg through.
Diddlybottom is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Diddlybottom is working for a submission of some sort.

Diddlybottom seems to be working for a kimura but Bellwether defends the submission attempt.
Bellwether trying to control here.
Diddlybottom prevents Bellwether from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Diddlybottom throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Bellwether is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Bellwether is working hard here to advance position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Diddlybottom is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Bellwether doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Diddlybottom.

Diddlybottom is working for a submission of some sort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Milktoast Diddlybottom 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. This is the final round!

Bellwether wants to clinch up but Diddlybottom keeps it at a distance.
Bellwether throws out a powerful jab.

It looks like Milktoast Diddlybottom has been cut.
Diddlybottom throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bellwether takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Diddlybottom lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Diddlybottom connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Diddlybottom lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Bellwether is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bellwether tries to close the distance and clinch up but Diddlybottom swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Diddlybottom throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Diddlybottom has Bellwether up against the cage in a clinch.
Diddlybottom misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diddlybottom misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bellwether blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Diddlybottom scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Diddlybottom misses with the head strike.
Bellwether pushes Diddlybottom back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Diddlybottom tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bellwether's elbow.
Diddlybottom throws a head punch that misses.
Diddlybottom throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bellwethers head.
Diddlybottom scores with a shot to the side of Bellwether's head.
Diddlybottom lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Diddlybottom swings wildly with an uppercut but Bellwether uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bellwether lands a left hand that snaps the head of Diddlybottom backwards.
Bellwether takes a shot to the head.
Bellwether misses with an elbow over the top.
Diddlybottom has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Diddlybottom blocks an uppercut.
Diddlybottom blocks a body shot from Bellwether.
Bellwether misses with some punches.
Beckett Bellwether has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bellwether blocks an uppercut.
A right handed body shot lands from Bellwether.
Diddlybottom throws a punch but it's blocked by Bellwether.
Bellwether makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Bellwether doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Diddlybottom misses with an elbow strike.
Bellwether misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Diddlybottom tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Bellwether manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Bellwether is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Diddlybottom trying to control but Bellwether is working from the bottom.
Bellwether might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Diddlybottom looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Bellwether is trying to keep Diddlybottom in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diddlybottom is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Diddlybottom got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bellwether has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Diddlybottom has managed to get both his arms back between Bellwether's legs - danger averted.
Milktoast Diddlybottom is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bellwether working a defensive guard here.

Bellwether working for a triangle but Diddlybottom defends it easily.
Bellwether throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Bellwether trying to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Diddlybottom with a nice cross.
A punch lands to the side of Bellwether 's head but he takes it in his stride.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Diddlybottom checks a leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Diddlybottom.
A lazy left from Diddlybottom finds it's target.
Diddlybottom slips a jab from Bellwether.
Diddlybottom circles away from the clinch attempt.

Bellwether pushes Diddlybottom up against the cage in a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Milktoast Diddlybottom comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Diddlybottom 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 John Roberts scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Milktoast Diddlybottom!
Milktoast Diddlybottom decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
Beckett Bellwether was interviewed post fight and said 'The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart.'.