PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Simon Tam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerry Butler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Tam
vs
Butler

178 cm
21
195 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

182 cm
24
191 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Battle Bars Inc.

MMA Pro Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Simon Tam!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Gerry Butler!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, William Gold and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tam takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A right-left combo lands from Butler.
Butler throws a right and a left that both miss.
Tam with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Butler to score with a decent uppercut.
Butler looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Butler scores with a body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tam closes this distance looking for a takedown but Butler circles away.

Tam looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Tam prevents Butler from improving his position.
Butler striking from half guard on the bottom.
Butler is trying to maintain the position but Tam is very close to passing his half guard.

Tam is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Butler has managed to free his arm - good work.
Butler is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butler is looking to control Tam's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Butler avoid being mounted?
Tam trying to pass the guard but Butler defending well.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Butler fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Tam takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Tam drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Butler wants to get back to his feet but Tam drags him back down.

Tam is trying to get an arm triangle but Butler is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Butler is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
You can see the frustration on Butler's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Butler tries to improve position but can't.

Tam looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Butler is trying to get back to half guard.

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

Tam working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tam works to advance to full mount. Butler defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Butler tries to lock up and control but Tam gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Tam looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Tam working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Tam is breathing heavily.
Butler tries to hold on but Tam postures up.

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.

Tam stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Butler throws a quick inside leg kick.
Butler throws a nice outside leg kick.
Tam throws a low kick but it's checked well by Butler.
Butler thumps Tam with a low kick.
Butler scores with a crisp jab that stopped Tam in his tracks.
Butler throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tam.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tam fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gerry Butler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Butler misses with a series of wild punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerry Butler dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Butler scores with a one two! Tam had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Tam shoots for a double leg takedown but Butler sprawls well. He's pushed Tam's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Butler lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Butler.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tam looks for a takedown but Butler sprawls well.
Butler misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Butler moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Butler closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tam closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Butler lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Tam backs up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butler lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tam at a distance.
Tam takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Butler lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Butler goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Butler displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Butler tests Tam's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Gerry Butler seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tam chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Butler can pounce on him.
Tam takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A left and a right from Butler both land. Nice combination.
Gerry Butler is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Butler throws a head kick that half lands.
Tam avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tam walks into a stiff left hand from Butler.
Tam showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Butler.
Tam fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simon Tam. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tam has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Butler looks to land a combination but Tam avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butler throws a one two combo.
Tam closes this distance looking for a takedown but Butler circles away.
Butler scoring well with a low kick there.
Tam looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Butler is fending him off so far but Tam persists. Nope, Butler circles away and we're back to standing.
Tam walks into a straight right hand from Butler.
Tam looks for a takedown but Butler sprawls well.
Butler throws a combination. Tam tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
A cross from Butler lands.
A right-left combo lands from Butler.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Butler wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Butler throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tam.
Tam shoots in and drives through. Butler sprawls well.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tam looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Butler throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Butler throws a one two combo.
Tam looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Butler tries a head kick but it misses.
Tam on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerry Butler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Butler punishes Tam's body with a nice straight punch.
Tam on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Butler looks to land a combination. Tam sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Butler scores with a jab. Tam acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Butler looks to land a combination. Tam sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Butler thuds his right hand into Tam's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Butler throws a right and a left that both miss.
Butler tries to bum rush Tam with a series of wild strikes but Tam uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tam throws a leg kick that is checked
and Butler counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Butler takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tam slips a jab and a cross from Butler.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tam changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Butler looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Tam thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Tam goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Butler has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Tam but great work by Butler.
Tam tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Butler wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Butler tries for a kimura but Tam is defending well.
Tam is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Butler's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Tam gets full guard.
Tam keeping moving, preventing Butler from controlling successfully.

Tam is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tam 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.
Butler working some strikes from top position.

Tam has his foot on Butler's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Butler works his way back into a safe position though.
Butler's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Butler connects with a couple of short punches.
Butler has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Tam is proving hard to escape from.

Tam has his foot on Butler's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Butler works his way back into a safe position though.
Butler showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Butler trying to control but Tam is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tam looking for a guillotine here but Butler defends easily.

Tam working for a triangle but Butler defends it easily.
Tam tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tam keeping moving, preventing Butler from controlling successfully.
Butler throwing strikes from guard but Tam blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Tam escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Butler gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Butler slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Butler wants to control from the top but Tam keeps moving.

Tam working for a triangle but Butler defends it easily.
Tam wants to sweep here but Butler controlling him for the moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Tam looking for a guillotine here but Butler defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Gerry Butler just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

Butler lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Butler lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Tam changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Butler looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
You can see the frustration on Butler's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Tam is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Butler is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Butler striking from the bottom but nothing landed.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tam working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Butler is trying to get back to half guard.
Tam tries to advance to mount but can't.
Butler is trying to get back to half guard.
Tam working away.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Butler stuffs the takedown.
Tam fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tam fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simon Tam. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Butler throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Butler plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Butler has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Butler misses with a jab, cross combination.
Butler lands with a right hand.
Tam moves forwards but Butler connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Butler throws a leg kick which misses Tam's front leg but catches the back leg as Tam tries to avoid it.
Simon Tam is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Butler misses with a double jab.
Tam throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Butler's waist but Butler gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tam off to one side.
Butler scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tam doesn't seem bothered though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tam throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Butler's waist but Butler gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tam off to one side.
Butler lands with a right hand.
Tam takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Butler lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tam at a distance.
Tam fails with the takedown.
Tam gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Butler.
Butler scoring well with a low kick there.
Tam fails in his attempt to clinch.
A lazy left from Butler finds it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Butler throws a one two combo.
Tam has his takedown stuffed
and Butler cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Butler throws a right and a left that Tam avoids nicely.
Butler lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tam at a distance.
Butler scores with a three punch combo!
Tam misses with a takedown
and Butler counters with a left and a right that stings Tam.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Butler looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerry Butler dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Butler moves out of range of the body kick from Tam.
Butler cracks Tam with a good jab.
Butler looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Butler throws a series of punches but Tam avoids them all with ease.
Tam fails with the takedown.
Tam shoots in for a double leg but Butler sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Butler lands a jab to the head.
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.

Tam drives through with a takedown into guard.
Tam stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Butler swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simon Tam overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tam is working hard here to advance position.
Butler punching from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Butler throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Butler stuffs the takedown attempt from Tam. Tam gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simon Tam. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Butler lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Tam doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Tam tries for a takedown but Butler circles away easily
enabling Butler to counter with a crisp jab.
Tam slips a jab and a cross from Butler.
Butler circles away from the clinch attempt.
Butler lands a two punch combo.
Tam with a poor takedown
and Butler counters with a right hand to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butler scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Butler scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Nice sprawl there from Butler as Tam shoots in.
Butler scores with a nice body kick.
Tam walks into a jab.
Butler scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Tam shoots in for a takedown but Butler shows good takedown defense.
Butler scores with a body shot.
Butler thuds his right hand into Tam's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Butler works over Tam's head and body with a nice combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Butler lands a nice shot to the body.
Tam takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Tam shoots in for a double leg but Butler sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Butler throws a shot to the body.
Butler throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Butler tries to bum rush Tam with a series of wild strikes but Tam uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tam looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Butler chopping away at his opponent's legs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gerry Butler comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Butler winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight for Gerry Butler!
Judge William Gold scores the fight for Gerry Butler!
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight for Gerry Butler!

Gerry Butler wins by unanimous decision!
Gerry Butler is the new middleweight champion!