PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Al Ferguson (ranked 25147 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eamon Mullen (ranked 5989 p4p, 0 weight class). Al Ferguson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Ferguson
vs
Mullen

197 cm
22
193 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

180 cm
25
187 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Al Ferguson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Eamon Mullen!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Chris Edwards and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ferguson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ferguson tries to break free but Mullen pushes him back against the cage.
Ferguson is working Mullen over against the cage.
Ferguson takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Al Ferguson has been cut.

Mullen breaks the clinch.

Ferguson forces Mullen back against the cage and clinches.

Mullen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mullen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mullen shoots in for a double leg but Ferguson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Eamon Mullen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice jab there from Mullen.

Mullen fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ferguson, pushing him back against the cage.
Ferguson tries to pull guard but Mullen won't allow it.
Ferguson is trying to pull guard but Mullen turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Mullen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ferguson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Mullen closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ferguson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mullen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mullen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Mullen shoots in looking for a takedown. Ferguson tries to sprawl out of it but Mullen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ferguson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Al Ferguson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eamon Mullen.
Mullen swats away the attempt to clinch by Ferguson.

Mullen moves into the clinch successfully.

Mullen jumps into guard, dragging Ferguson to the mat.
Ferguson throwing strikes but missing.

Ferguson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mullen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ferguson throwing strikes from guard but Mullen blocks nicely.

Ferguson has gone for a leg lock! Mullen slips out almost immediately though and dives into Ferguson's guard.

Mullen stops Ferguson from standing up.
Ferguson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ferguson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Mullen is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mullen postures up.
Mullen showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Mullen has gone for a leg lock! Ferguson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Mullen's guard.

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.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ferguson gets to his feet - Mullen follows without any prompting.
Ferguson tries to clinch up.

Mullen darts in and clinches Ferguson up against the cage.

Mullen gets control of Ferguson's arms and successfully pulls guard. Mullen will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Ferguson wants to stand and escape but instead Mullen has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Mullen throws a big right hand that misses.

Mullen postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Ferguson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Mullen, into his guard.

Mullen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eamon Mullen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Al Ferguson's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Mullen moves into the clinch.
Mullen content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Mullen stalls.
Mullen continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Ferguson jumps guard but Mullen stands there with Ferguson around his waist. Ferguson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ferguson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Mullen gets underhooks to prevent Ferguson's takedown attempt.
Mullen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ferguson jumps guard but Mullen turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Al Ferguson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Mullen gets control of Ferguson's arms and successfully pulls guard. Mullen will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Mullen wants to sweep here but Ferguson controlling him for the moment.
Ferguson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ferguson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Mullen, up you get!
Ferguson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mullen throws a head kick but Ferguson moves out of range.
Ferguson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Mullen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mullen misses with a body kick.

Mullen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ferguson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Ferguson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mullen is defending well for now.
Ferguson letting Mullen take a breather here.

Mullen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Mullen gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Ferguson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Ferguson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ferguson works over Mullen with some ground and pound from guard.
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!
Ferguson wants to control from the top but Mullen keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ferguson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Ferguson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mullen is adopting a defensive guard.

Mullen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mullen keeping moving, preventing Ferguson from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Mullen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ferguson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Eamon Mullen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mullen wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Ferguson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Ferguson postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Mullen is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Ferguson, into his guard.

Ferguson is working an open guard so Mullen takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ferguson closes the distance and clinches.
A hook to the body from Mullen.

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

Mullen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ferguson jumps guard but Mullen stands there with Ferguson around his waist. Ferguson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Ferguson is fighting off a takedown attempt but Mullen is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Ferguson to the mat. Ferguson regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Ferguson wants to get back to his feet but Mullen passes into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Mullen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eamon Mullen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Al Ferguson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Ferguson is looking to clinch but Mullen is avoiding it.
Mullen throws a head kick but Ferguson moves out of range.
Mullen swats away the attempt to clinch by Ferguson.
Mullen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ferguson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Mullen closes the distance and pushes Ferguson back into the cage.

Mullen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ferguson stuffs the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ferguson moves in looking to clinch but Mullen pushes him off.
Ferguson tries to close the distance and clinch but Mullen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mullen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Al Ferguson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eamon Mullen.
Ferguson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mullen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Eamon Mullen seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mullen is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Mullen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mullen tries to counter with a clinch but Ferguson shakes him off and moves away.
Ferguson slips a jab and a cross from Mullen.
Mullen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ferguson tries to clinch there but Mullen circles away.
Mullen tries for a takedown but Ferguson circles away easily
and Ferguson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ferguson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ferguson appears to be looking for a big counter.
Mullen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ferguson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mullen scores with a head kick. Ferguson tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson tries to close the distance and clinch but Mullen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Mullen closes the distance and pushes Ferguson back into the cage.

Mullen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Ferguson closes the distance and clinches.
Ferguson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mullen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ferguson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ferguson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ferguson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mullen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ferguson tries to pull guard but Mullen holds him up against the cage and eventually Ferguson drops back down to his feet.
Ferguson looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ferguson successfully pulls guard.
Mullen preventing the sweep.
Mullen engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Mullen throwing strikes but missing.
Ferguson looking to control.
Ferguson wants to stand and escape but Mullen is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Mullen 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.
Mullen passes Ferguson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Mullen stops Ferguson from getting back to his feet.
Mullen trying to control the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Mullen keeps the fight on the outside.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ferguson moves in looking to clinch but Mullen pushes him off.
Ferguson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ferguson wants it to stay on the feet.
Ferguson is looking for a counter combo.
Al Ferguson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Eamon Mullen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ferguson throws the kick towards the body but Mullen avoids it.
Ferguson sets himself, and Mullen steps forward looking for the clinch! Ferguson avoids it this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eamon Mullen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mullen 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eamon Mullen!