PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Michael Longhurst (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sid Singh (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.

Longhurst
vs
Singh

175 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Michael Longhurst!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Sid Singh!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Richard Clark and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Singh misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Longhurst gets the takedown into side control.
Longhurst wants to control but Singh is keeping him busy.
Longhurst controls the position from side control.
Longhurst lands a decent elbow from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Longhurst is looking to take a break and control but Singh is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Longhurst stands up and beckons Singh to his feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Longhurst looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Singh gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Longhurst counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Longhurst looking to pass the guard.
Longhurst wants to control from the top but Singh keeps moving.
Longhurst is looking to stand up but Singh won't let him.
Singh wants to sweep but no luck.
Longhurst looking to pass the guard.
Longhurst has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Singh is trying to control the position but Longhurst postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Longhurst trying to control the position from guard on top but Singh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Longhurst wants to stand but Singh is controlling his posture from full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Singh fails with the takedown

and Longhurst counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Michael Longhurst has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sid Singh.
Longhurst is breathing heavily.
Longhurst looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Singh throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Longhurst postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Singh is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Singh thows a huge punch but Longhurst dodges it nicely.
Singh blocks the strikes from Longhurst.
Singh takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
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. Singh connects with a nice short shot to Longhurst's temple.
Singh is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Singh is tying to control. Longhurst wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four 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.
Longhurst is trying to control but can't.
Singh lands with a punch from half guard.
Singh wants to get back to his feet.
Singh trying to control the pace.
Singh seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Longhurst does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Longhurst wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Longhurst dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Longhurst shoots for a double leg takedown but Singh sprawls well. He's pushed Longhurst's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Singh shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Singh showed some decent athleticism there.
Longhurst is looking for a sweep. Singh is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Singh trying to pass the guard but Longhurst defending well.
Singh content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Longhurst is trying to maintain the position but Singh is very close to passing his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Longhurst is trying to get back to full guard.
Singh slips a nice elbow through Longhurst's hands, connecting with Longhurst's forehead.
Longhurst wants to improve his position but Singh is controlling well.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Singh forces Longhurst back against the cage and clinches.

Singh has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Longhurst uses from the top position.
Longhurst trying to control the position from guard on top but Singh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Singh wants to sweep here but Longhurst controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Singh trying to control the position here.
Singh is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Longhurst is looking to stand up but Singh won't let him.
Singh keeping moving, preventing Longhurst from controlling successfully.
Michael Longhurst overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Longhurst stopping the sweep attempt from Singh.

Singh wriggles free and stands up.
Longhurst is looking to clinch but Singh is avoiding it.
Singh with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Longhurst clinches.
Longhurst wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

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.
A bit of stalling here from Singh.
Longhurst tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Singh smiles and moves away.

Singh gets a clinch.

Singh manages to pull guard.
Singh looking to control.
Longhurst wanted to stand there but Singh had control of the position.
Singh wants to stand and escape but Longhurst is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Longhurst trying to control the position from guard on top but Singh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sid Singh showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Longhurst's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Singh shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Longhurst counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Longhurst 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.
Singh will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Longhurst wants to control from the top but Singh keeps moving.
Singh is pulling down on Longhurst's head. It's preventing any offense from Longhurst, at least for the moment.
Longhurst not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Singh looking to control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Longhurst trying to control but Singh is working from the bottom.

Singh working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Longhurst doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Longhurst manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Longhurst shoots for a double leg takedown but Singh sprawls well. He's pushed Longhurst's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's two 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.
Singh shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Longhurst decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Singh's guard.

Singh working for submissions but it's allowed Longhurst to get to half guard.
Singh has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Longhurst is working away from the top position though.

Singh manages to escape and get back to his feet!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Singh.
Michael Longhurst has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sid Singh.
Singh misses with a takedown attempt

and Longhurst decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Singh's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Longhurst trying to control but Singh is working from the bottom.
Singh wants to sweep here but Longhurst controlling him for the moment.

Singh looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Singh is looking to sweep but instead, Longhurst has passed into half guard.
Singh is trying to maintain the position but Longhurst is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Singh wants to control the action here but instead Longhurst manages to pass to full mount!
Singh can't escape the position.
Singh tries to hold on but Longhurst postures up.
Singh is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Longhurst is staying active.
Singh is trying to reverse the position but instead Longhurst has taken his back - oops!
Longhurst wants to control but Singh manages to buck him off and is now in Longhurst's guard! Nice work there by Singh!

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Longhurst showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Longhurst 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 James Atkins scores the fight 29:28
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Longhurst!