PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Efren Bird (ranked 24659 p4p, 0 weight class) and Quintus Rex (ranked 4868 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Bird
vs
Rex

171 cm
19
278 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

195 cm
22
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Efren Bird!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Quintus Rex!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Konstantin Menshow and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rex drives through with a takedown into Bird's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Bird is looking to stand up but Rex isn't so interested in that idea.
Bird keeping full guard, as Rex tries to pass.

Rex stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Rex lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Efren Bird has been cut.

Rex drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Bird might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rex is looking to stand up but Bird won't let him.
Rex must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Bird trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Bird 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.

Bird working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rex doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rex manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Bird looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rex accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rex loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rex controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bird working a defensive guard but Rex manages to pass into side control anyway.
Bird tries to buck Rex off but Rex is having none of it.
Rex avoids the strikes from the bottom by Bird.

Rex tries for a kimura but Bird is defending well.
Bird tries to bench press Rex off him but Rex keeps the position.
Rex trying to control the action but Bird is working from the bottom.
Bird bucks up and tries to throw Rex off but instead Rex has got his back!
Bird is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Rex has the hooks in. Bird is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Bird is trying to get back to his feet but Rex has full control of the position and if anything, Bird has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rex is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Bird is defending well though. Rex let's go of the attempt for now.
Bird is trying to stand back up.
Rex gets his hands free as Bird looks to control.
Bird really is a fat lump.
Bird is in bad spot here.
Rex missing with strikes from the back.
Bird tries to roll but Rex sticks to his back.
Bird covering up well and avoiding damage.
Rex keeps control of the position easily here as Bird tries to buck him off.
Bird rolls, trying to escape but Rex keeps control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird staying busy and making it hard for Rex to control.
Bird tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Rex throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Bird tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Bird is working hard here to advance position.
Bird manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Rex stands up out of the half guard.

Rex bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Rex looks winded!
Bird sneaks back into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Bird manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Bird controls Rex momentarily but Rex frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rex trying to control but Bird is working from the bottom.
Bird has Rex pulled in close to control his posture.
Rex controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Rex won't allow Bird to sweep him here.
Bird is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rex trying to control the position from guard on top but Bird is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bird is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Bird trying to keep a closed guard but Rex is proving a slippery customer.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Quintus Rex seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rex.
Bird wants to get back to his feet but Rex is dominant here and he's now got Bird's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Quintus Rex dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Efren Bird's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bird fails to land the takedown.
Rex lands with a kick to the temple. Bird shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Rex shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Bird landing strikes from the bottom.
Rex throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bird wants to get back to his feet.
Rex prevents Bird from improving his position.
Bird throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird tries to kick Rex off in order to stand up. Rex Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Bird is trying to get back to half guard.
Quintus Rex has got the better of the ground game so far.

Rex tries for a kimura but Bird is defending well.

Rex decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Rex drives through with a takedown into Bird's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Rex with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rex throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rex trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bird wants to stand but Rex is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rex wants to control from the top but Bird keeps moving.
Rex in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rex wants to stand but Bird has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Rex wants to pass the guard but Bird is keeping the position.
Rex is breathing heavily.
Bird trying to keep a closed guard but Rex is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Rex dives in and scores a takedown into Bird's guard.
Bird throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Rex is looking to stand up but Bird won't let him.
Bird throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rex trying to control the position from guard on top but Bird is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rex controlling from the top position.
Bird throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Bird has his foot on Rex's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rex works his way back into a safe position though.
Bird wants to improve his position but instead Rex has moved into half guard.
Bird throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Bird trying to control but Rex postures up.
Rex thows a huge punch but Bird dodges it nicely.
Bird is positioning himself well to prevent Rex advancing to mount.
Rex is keen to just control but Bird is a slippery customer.

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.
Bird gets back to full guard.
Rex postures up.
Bird looking for a sweep. Not yet Bird, not yet.
Rex looking to pass the guard.
Bird wants to stand but Rex is controlling the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bird is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rex sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A slapping body kick lands there for Rex.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rex clinches up with Bird and pushes him back against the cage.

Rex jumps into guard, dragging Bird to the mat.

Bird drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bird jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Quintus Rex showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Efren Bird's cut.
That's time! Bird's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Rex closes the distance and pushes Bird back into the cage.
Rex avoiding damage as Bird throws knees to the body.

Rex has clasped his hands together around Bird's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Bird is trying to improve his position.
Bird can't do much from the bottom here.
Rex misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rex working away.
Bird is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Rex is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Bird knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Bird is taking a breather. Rex says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Bird trying to control from half guard but Rex is working away.
Bird wants to stand up but Rex has a hold of him and won't allow it.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Rex. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Rex missing with punches from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rex punching from the bottom.
Bird tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Rex.
Rex wants to control but Bird is keeping busy.
Bird is trying to control. Rex wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Rex looking for submissions off his back.
Rex takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rex is looking to control Bird's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rex avoid being mounted?
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Bird tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Rex gets a takedown into half guard.

Bird has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Rex is on him like a limpet, forcing Bird back against the cage.

Rex works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rex engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Bird is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bird manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rex manages to get himself to full 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!
Bird trying to control the position from guard on top but Rex is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rex working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bird.

And that's the end of the fight!
Efren Bird showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rex 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Quintus Rex!