PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aspen Springfield (ranked 2866 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Penn (ranked 3345 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Penn's choice of entrance music: Everything in its right place. James Penn has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Springfield
vs
Penn

184 cm
28
185 lbs
15 - 8 - 2

181 cm
35
185 lbs
18 - 12 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Aspen Springfield!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, James Penn!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Patrick Alders and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Penn has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Springfield.
No joy there for Springfield, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Good leg kick by Penn there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Penn moves out of range of the body kick.
Springfield lands a slapping body shot.
Springfield fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Penn has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Springfield scores with a takedown into Penn's guard.
Springfield works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Penn pushes Springfield off looking to stand but Springfield dives back in and keeps control.
Penn is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Springfield trying to pass the guard but Penn defending well.

Penn makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Springfield misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Penn.
Penn appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Penn lands a slapping body shot.
Springfield misses with a body shot.
Penn changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Springfield is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Penn.
A nice leg kick lands there from Springfield.
Springfield lands with a cross.
Springfield tries to land a leg kick but Penn saw it coming and moves away.
Springfield misses with a kick to the body

and Penn counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Penn.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Springfield tries a body shot but Penn blocks it.

Springfield pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Springfield throws a leg kick that is checked

and Penn counters with a takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Penn decides to stand back up. Penn steps back and let's Springfield get back to his feet.
Springfield throws a leg kick that is checked
and Penn counters with a stiff right hand.
A clash of legs there as Springfield blocks the low kick.
Springfield pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Penn tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Springfield scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Springfield throws a wild body kick that Penn sees coming a mile off.
Penn tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Springfield ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Penn moves away.
A leg kick checked by Springfield.
Springfield throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Penn's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Penn shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Penn showed some decent athleticism there.
Springfield trying to control but Penn postures up.
Springfield is looking to get back to full guard here but Penn has managed to pass to side control instead.

Penn stands up and beckons Springfield to his feet.
Springfield moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Both fighters circling a little - Springfield finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Penn uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Springfield.
Penn is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Springfield scores with a hook.
Springfield thows a left - swing and a miss!
Penn is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Springfield lands a front kick.
Springfield checks a leg kick.
Springfield throws a body kick that misses

and Penn counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Springfield has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Penn has passed into side control.
Springfield manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Springfield stops Penn from getting back to his feet.
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 Aspen Springfield will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Springfield connects with a high kick.
Springfield checks a leg kick.
A good leg kick by Springfield.
Penn misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Springfield is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Springfield tries a head kick but it misses.
Penn is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A leg kick checked by Penn.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Penn! But no joy.
Penn attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Penn avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Springfield throws a head kick but Penn moves out of range.
Penn is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Springfield misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Springfield shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Penn as he jumps to the side.
Penn tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Aspen Springfield is winning the standup battle so far.
Penn takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Springfield pivots, looking for a leg kick but Penn is out of range and Springfield settles back down.
Penn appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Springfield scores with a jab.
Springfield shoots in for a takedown but Penn shows good takedown defense.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Springfield.
Penn tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Crunch! Springfield slams his shin into Penn's torso.

Penn manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Springfield on his heels. He'll look to pass Springfield's guard now, I'm sure.

Penn stands and steps away. Springfield gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penn uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Springfield has time to react.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Springfield.
Penn checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Penn changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Penn motions for Springfield to come forward. Penn throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Penn throws a right and a left that both miss.
Springfield tried to counter with a leg kick but Penn avoided it.
Springfield connects with a solid leg kick.
Aspen Springfield seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Springfield throws a front kick aimed at Penn's knee but Penn avoids it well.
Penn connects with a solid leg kick.
Penn throws a front kick aimed at Springfield's knee but Springfield avoids it well.
Good shot there by Springfield.
A leg kick checked by Springfield.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Springfield uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Penn has time to react.
Springfield scores with a leg kick.
Springfield fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Penn looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Penn shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Springfield fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Penn chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Springfield can pounce on him.
Penn keeps the fight on the outside.
Penn is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Springfield misses with a body punch

and Penn counters by moving into the clinch.
Springfield is trying to break the clinch but Penn is controlling him.

Springfield breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Springfield misses with a leg kick.
Penn is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Springfield checks a leg kick.
Penn blocks a low kick nicely.
And Penn tries to counter it with a takedown but Springfield pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Springfield slips a jab from Penn.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Springfield lands with a shot to the body.
Springfield is looking to wear down Penn with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Springfield buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Penn tries a low kick but Springfield avoids it.
Springfield throws a leg kick
and Penn counters with a stiff right hand.
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!
Springfield doesn't manage to clinch there - Penn circles away.
Penn feints the counter takedown.
Springfield throws a solid leg kick but Penn takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Springfield.
Penn goes for a double leg but Springfield avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Springfield continues to drive forward.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aspen Springfield dominated that second round.
That's time! Springfield's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Penn works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Springfield fakes the leg kick and cracks Penn in the body.
Springfield throws a leg kick but Penn moved away.
And Penn tries to counter it with a takedown but Springfield pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Penn throws the left hand but Springfield avoids the punch easily.
Springfield throws a leg kick that is checked

and Penn counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Springfield is trying to control the position but Penn postures up.
Penn won't allow Springfield to sweep him here.

Penn stands up from guard. Let's bang!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Springfield lands the left hand.
Springfield tries to land a body kick
and Penn counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Springfield misses with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Springfield throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Penn has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Springfield finds it's way round the side to connect with Penn's head.
Penn's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Springfield fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Penn sprawls well initially but Springfield persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Penn looks like he's trying to stand up.
Springfield trying to control the action but Penn is working from the bottom.
Springfield wants to pass to mount but Penn is defending the position.
Springfield thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Penn's head.
Penn is trying to stand back up but Springfield is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Springfield seems to be working for a kimura but Penn defends the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Penn wants to get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
James Penn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Springfield displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Penn throws out the jab.
Springfield looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Springfield throws a wild body kick that Penn sees coming a mile off.
Springfield throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Springfield closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Penn makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Springfield looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Penn with the counter takedown but Springfield avoids it easily.
Penn doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Springfield fails with a takedown attempt.
It looks like Springfield has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Springfield defending well as Penn loads up on a big left hand.
Penn fails to land with a series of punches.
Penn throws a right and a left that Springfield avoids nicely.
Springfield fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Penn has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Penn crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Springfield - the referee stops the clock and Penn gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Springfield. Penn manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Springfield throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Springfield rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Penn moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Penn tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Penn tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Springfield misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Springfield throws a body kick that misses
and Penn counters with a nice low kick that buckles Springfield's knee momentarily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Springfield tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Penn manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Penn lands the left hand.
Springfield loads up on a big right hand but Penn slips the punch.
Some bone on bone action there as Springfield checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to James Penn.
I think Springfield 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:29
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!