PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Padraig Pearse (ranked 23393 p4p, 599 weight class) and Ethan Wright (ranked 5569 p4p, 498 weight class). Padraig Pearse has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Pearse
vs
Wright

200 cm
21
175 lbs
0 - 7 - 0

178 cm
20
178 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 0 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Padraig Pearse!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Ethan Wright!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Colin Fotheringham and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Wright scores with a takedown into Pearse's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Wright throws a big elbow that misses.
Wright wants to control from the top but Pearse keeps moving.
Pearse trying to control the position here.
Wright is working Pearse over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wright in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Pearse is trying to keep Wright in close.
Wright is in close to Pearse's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Pearse will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wright is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Pearse looking to control.
Wright won't allow Pearse to sweep him here.
Wright landing with the ground and pound.
Pearse has momentary wrist control but Wright slips an elbow through the middle.
Pearse is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Wright makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Wright preventing the sweep.
Pearse is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Wright can do anything to dispel that myth.
Wright controlling the position for now.
Wright tries to get to full guard but Pearse has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wright is controlling Pearse's trapped leg to prevent Pearse from advancing to side control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Wright manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Our spies down at at Tycoon Gym inform us that Wright has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Pearse looking to pass the guard.
Pearse wants to control from the top but Wright keeps moving.
Wright looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Pearse 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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Wright is on top in guard.

Wright must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wright works over Pearse with some ground and pound from guard.
Wright lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Wright scoring with some ground and pound.
Pearse working a defensive guard here.
Wright is in close to Pearse's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Pearse preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Wright trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Wright working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wright bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Pearse's guard.

Wright drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Pearse manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Wright has Pearse in his guard.

Pearse trying to control but Wright is working from the bottom.
Pearse being controlled here momentarily.
Pearse wants to pass the guard but Wright is keeping the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Wright seems keen to control Pearse's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ethan Wright dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Wright scores with a takedown into Pearse's guard.

Pearse is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Wright drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Pearse connects with a knee to the head.
Wright tries for a takedown but Pearse manages to get underhooks.
Pearse is trying to push Wright away but Wright has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Pearse tries for a takedown. No joy.
Wright struggles to land a body shot inside as Pearse controls his hands.
Wright wants a takedown.
Padraig Pearse has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ethan Wright.
Wright tries to throw a body punch but Pearse avoids it by throwing Wright back against the cage.
Pearse changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Wright fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Pearse is looking to clinch but Wright is avoiding it.

Pearse pushes Wright up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pearse prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pearse working Wright over with knees to the body.
Wright wants a takedown.
Wright is breathing heavily.
Wright drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Pearse landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Pearse escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pearse fails with an attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pearse looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Wright darts in looking for a takedown but Pearse gets double underhooks and turns Wright into the cage.
We've been told by Pearse's head coaches at Spartans Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Pearse changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Wright tries to avoid it but Pearse manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Wright to the ground. Wright escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Wright scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Pearse gets back to half guard.
Pearse preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pearse tries to get to full guard but Wright has control of the leg.
Pearse trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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. Wright connects with a nice short shot to Pearse's temple.

Wright is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Pearse sees it coming and defends easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pearse is looking for a sweep. Wright is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Pearse keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Wright misses with a head shot. Pearse uses the momentum to regain guard.
Pearse not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pearse wants to sweep but no luck.
Pearse controls Wright momentarily but Wright frees himself.
Wright wants to control from the top but Pearse keeps moving.
Pearse really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Wright working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Pearse tries to clinch but Wright is having none of it.
Pearse tries to clinch up but Wright circles away and keeps his distance.
Wright keeps the fight on the outside.
Pearse moves in looking to clinch but Wright pushes him off.
Pearse tries to clinch there but Wright circles away.

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.

Pearse drives through and clinches with Wright against the cage.
Wright can't find room to land a body shot as Pearse controls the action.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Pearse obliges.
Pearse landing knees to the body.
Wright can't get the takedown.
Pearse prevents a takedown attempt there.

Pearse breaks from the clinch.
Pearse tries to clinch up.

Pearse gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Pearse tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Wright trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Pearse is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Wright throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pearse works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Padraig Pearse dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Pearse doesn't manage to clinch there - Wright circles away.
Pearse wants to clinch.

Wright closes the distance and clinches.
Pearse tries for a takedown. No joy.

Wright has clasped his hands together around Pearse's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Pearse sneaks out the side door and pushes Wright away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Padraig Pearse is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Pearse closes the distance and clinches.
Pearse wants a takedown but no success here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wright is looking for a takedown.

Pearse breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ethan Wright seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wright shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Pearse defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wright shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Pearse as he jumps to the side.
Pearse is looking for a counter combo.
Padraig Pearse has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ethan Wright.
Pearse tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Wright manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Wright takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Pearse is looking to slow Wright down with leg kicks.

Pearse gets a clinch.
Pearse tries for a takedown. No joy.

Wright turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Pearse sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Pearse is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Wright trying to mount his opponent but Pearse defends it.
Wright not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Wright is looking to take a break and control but Pearse is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pearse makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Pearse.
Pearse looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Pearse is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Wright is looking to work some ground and pound but Pearse has wrist control.
Pearse looking for a sweep. Not yet Pearse, not yet.
Wright trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Pearse moves in looking to clinch but Wright pushes him off.
Pearse tries to clinch there but Wright circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pearse tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Wright counters with a shoot takedown. Pearse fights it but they end up in guard.
Wright throwing strikes from guard but Pearse blocks nicely.
Pearse can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Wright controls the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pearse looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wright is one step ahead there.
Pearse is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Wright is in close to Pearse's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Wright missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wright working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Pearse pulls Wright in to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Wright scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Pearse is trying to get back to half guard.
Pearse parries the strikes from Wright easily there. Wright is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Pearse to escape.
Wright working the ground and pound from side control.
Pearse takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Pearse on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Pearse regains half guard.
Wright working over Pearse with some ground and pound. Pearse looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wright lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Pearse is rocked!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ethan Wright.
I think Wright has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:29
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a majority draw!