PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Devon Bairstow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Damian Al Ghul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Bairstow
vs
Al Ghul

180 cm
19
153 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

175 cm
19
153 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

SPARTAN FIGHTWARE

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Devon Bairstow!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Damian Al Ghul!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Colin Fotheringham and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bairstow shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Bairstow is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Bairstow avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Al Ghul had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Bairstow is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Al Ghul Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Bairstow's back instead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bairstow tries to escape the position.

Al Ghul is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Bairstow defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Bairstow preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Al Ghul.

Al Ghul seems to be going for a rear naked choke. He has an arm under Bairstow's chin but Bairstow turns very nicely into Al Ghul's guard. Good BJJ skills being displayed there by Bairstow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Ghul looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bairstow is one step ahead there.
Al Ghul being controlled here, momentarily.
Bairstow passes into half guard.
Al Ghul wants to get back to full guard but Bairstow has mounted him!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Al Ghul keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Bairstow tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Al Ghul tries to reverse the position but Bairstow maintains control.
Bairstow takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Al Ghul keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Bairstow takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Ghul is trying desperately to improve position.
Bairstow tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Al Ghul is looking to get to half guard.
Bairstow takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Bairstow looking to control but Al Ghul is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Al Ghul really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four 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.
Bairstow controlling from mount.
Al Ghul is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Al Ghul is squirming around, avoiding Bairstow's attempts to control the action.
Al Ghul tries to reverse the position but Bairstow maintains control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Al Ghul sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Bairstow prevents Al Ghul from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Devon Bairstow dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bairstow throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bairstow stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

It looks like Damian Al Ghul has been cut.
Al Ghul misses with a head kick.
Bairstow with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Bairstow looks to land a combination but Al Ghul avoids it well.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Bairstow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A lull in the action here as Bairstow stalls from top position.

Bairstow has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Al Ghul is breathing heavily.
Bairstow lands an overhand right.
A combination from Bairstow does no damage.

Bairstow gets a clinch.

Bairstow lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Al Ghul wants to sweep but Bairstow has passed to side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bairstow decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Al Ghul misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bairstow fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Al Ghul looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Bairstow scores with a jab.
Nice combo by Bairstow! Oh, that's hurt him - Al Ghul falls to the canvas and Bairstow follows him into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Al Ghul looks to move to half guard but instead Bairstow has passed into mount! Damn!
Bairstow tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Al Ghul keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Bairstow controlling the position easily from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Ghul keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Al Ghul is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Bairstow tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Bairstow has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Al Ghul is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bairstow content just to control the position here.
Al Ghul is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Bairstow sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

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.
Al Ghul is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Bairstow sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Al Ghul is wriggling around trying to escape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Devon Bairstow dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Damian Al Ghul's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Al Ghul drops his hands momentarily and Bairstow takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Al Ghul circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bairstow connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Al Ghul throws a head kick but Bairstow moves out of range.
Devon Bairstow is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Bairstow scores a takedown into full mount!
Al Ghul really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Bairstow controlling from mount.
Devon Bairstow overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Al Ghul tries to reverse the position but Bairstow maintains control.
Al Ghul takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bairstow controlling the pace for now.
Al Ghul is desperately trying to improve his position but Bairstow has a good base and remains in mount.

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.
Bairstow controlling from mount.
Al Ghul is desperately trying to improve his position but Bairstow has a good base and remains in mount.
Bairstow controlling from mount.
Al Ghul really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Bairstow controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Devon Bairstow just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
A nice inside leg kick there by Bairstow. That's going to slow Al Ghul down.
Nice combo by Bairstow! Oh, that's hurt him - Al Ghul falls to the canvas and Bairstow follows him into side control.
Al Ghul is looking to reverse the position.
Al Ghul looking for a sweep but Bairstow has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Al Ghul is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bairstow controlling from the full mount.
Bairstow's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Al Ghul tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bairstow controlling from mount.
Bairstow prevents Al Ghul from getting the reversal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Devon Bairstow clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Damian Al Ghul's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Al Ghul closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bairstow circles away.
Al Ghul throws a head kick but Bairstow moves out of range.

Bairstow closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Bairstow lands in his opponent's guard.
Bairstow controlling from the top position.

Al Ghul isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Bairstow stacks Al Ghul on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Bairstow!

Bairstow decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Devon Bairstow seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Al Ghul tries to clinch up but Bairstow circles away and keeps his distance.
Al Ghul is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Al Ghul has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bairstow's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Bairstow duly obliges.

That has opened up Damian Al Ghul's cut even more.
Bairstow moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Bairstow jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Bairstow throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Al Ghul on the side of the head.
Bairstow fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Al Ghul shoots in looking for a takedown. Bairstow tries to sprawl out of it but Al Ghul keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bairstow manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Bairstow gets the takedown into side control.

Bairstow stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Bairstow is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Al Ghul can do to turn this around?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Al Ghul is looking to clinch but Bairstow is avoiding it.
Al Ghul gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Al Ghul throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bairstow scores with a nice right hand.
Bairstow tests Al Ghul's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Al Ghul has a takedown stuffed.
Devon Bairstow has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Damian Al Ghul.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bairstow feints and then cracks Al Ghul's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Al Ghul down.
Al Ghul takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Bairstow darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Al Ghul is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Bairstow pulls his head out easily.
Al Ghul wants to get back to full guard.

Al Ghul looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Al Ghul is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bairstow content to control rather than advance.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A nice combination there by Bairstow.

Al Ghul gets caught flat footed, as Bairstow shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Bairstow gets to his feet - Al Ghul follows without any prompting.

Bairstow takes the fight into the clinch.
Bairstow presses Al Ghul against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Ghul jumps guard but Bairstow stands there with Al Ghul around his waist. Al Ghul gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Bairstow breaks the clinch.
Bairstow misses with a takedown attempt - Al Ghul sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Bairstow avoids the head kick by Al Ghul.
Bairstow closes the distance looking to clinch

and Al Ghul counters with a nice double leg into side control. Bairstow won't be happy with that.
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!
Al Ghul prevents Bairstow from escaping the position.
Al Ghul tries to move into full mount but can't pass Bairstow's legs.

Al Ghul tries for a kimura but Bairstow is defending well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bairstow tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Devon Bairstow had his way with Damian Al Ghul in that round.
The cut man is working on Damian Al Ghul's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Bairstow lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Al Ghul at a distance.
Al Ghul misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Al Ghul throws a sloppy head kick and Bairstow moves out of range easily.
Al Ghul misses with a takedown
and Bairstow counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Bairstow lands with a straight right. Al Ghul didn't see that one coming.
Al Ghul shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bairstow but Bairstow pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Al Ghul takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Bairstow scores with a hook.

Al Ghul gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Bairstow slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Al Ghul escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bairstow gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Al Ghul escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bairstow gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Bairstow slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Al Ghul has an active guard here but Bairstow has managed to pass into half guard.
Bairstow looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bairstow prevents Al Ghul from improving his position.

Bairstow gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Al Ghul throws a head kick but Bairstow moves out of range.
Bairstow tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Al Ghul paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Devon Bairstow is winning the standup battle so far.
Al Ghul takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Al Ghul tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bairstow throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Bairstow.
Al Ghul is the more experienced fighter here and he's going to need to draw on some of that experience if he's going to pull this one out the bag.
Bairstow throws a head kick that misses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Bairstow rushes Al Ghul and presses him up against the cage.
Bairstow controlling the action here for a moment.

Al Ghul ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Al Ghul no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Ghul wants to sweep here but Bairstow controlling him for the moment.
Bairstow trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Al Ghul has his foot on Bairstow's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bairstow works his way back into a safe position though.
Bairstow controlling from the top position.

Al Ghul is looking for a triangle here but Bairstow uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Al Ghul is trying to improve his position.
A lull in the action here as Bairstow stalls from top position.
Devon Bairstow is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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.
Al Ghul tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Bairstow wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Bairstow stands up.
Al Ghul tries a head kick but it misses.
Bairstow lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Bairstow shoots in and bounces Al Ghul off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Bairstow stands up from guard. Let's bang!

And that's the end of the fight!
Devon Bairstow showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bairstow has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight for Devon Bairstow!
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight for Devon Bairstow!
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight for Devon Bairstow!

Devon Bairstow wins by unanimous decision!
Devon Bairstow retains his featherweight title!