PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Eastmond (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Flare (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Eastmond's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Nelly - here comes the boom. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Eastmond
vs
Flare

190 cm
21
174 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

173 cm
20
180 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid 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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ryan Eastmond!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rick Flare!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Winston Howard and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Flare shoots for a takedown but Eastmond saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Eastmond shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Flare decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Eastmond's guard.
Flare trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Flare postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Eastmond is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Flare, into his guard.
Flare wants to sweep here but Eastmond controlling him for the moment.
Flare wants to stand and escape but Eastmond is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eastmond stopping the sweep attempt from Flare.

Flare has his foot on Eastmond's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Eastmond works his way back into a safe position though.
Flare throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Eastmond trying to control but Flare is working from the bottom.
Flare is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

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.
Flare manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Flare not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Flare is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Eastmond is just riding it out for now. Flare eventually gives up the hold.
Eastmond is positioning himself well to prevent Flare advancing to mount.
Eastmond wants to improve his position but Flare is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eastmond trying to control here.
Eastmond avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Flare.
Flare is keen to just control but Eastmond is a slippery customer.

Flare is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Flare gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Flare looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Eastmond wants to control from the top but Flare keeps moving.

Flare has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Eastmond is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Flare.
Flare is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rick Flare will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Eastmond looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Flare is trying to hold Eastmond in close to prevent damage but Eastmond has managed to pass into half guard.
Flare wants to improve his position but Eastmond is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Flare actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Flare looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Flare actively working from the bottom here.
Flare is breathing heavily.
Flare is trying to get back to full guard.
Eastmond slows the pace down in half guard.

That's two 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.

Flare is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Eastmond pulls his head out easily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Eastmond shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Flare's guard.

Flare looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Eastmond has picked Flare up and slammed him! Flare can't keep hold of the triangle and Eastmond manages to pass to side control!
Eastmond in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Eastmond'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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flare tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Eastmond wants to lay and pray for a moment but Flare keeps working.
Flare tries to bench press Eastmond off him but Eastmond keeps the position.
Eastmond wants to lay and pray for a moment but Flare keeps working.
Flare is pushing Eastmond's head away, looking to escape. Eastmond manages to hold on to the position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Flare wants to control but Eastmond postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Flare shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Eastmond counters with a single leg into guard. Flare didn't expect that.
Eastmond pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Flare is keeping the position for now.
Flare wants to sweep here but Eastmond controlling him for the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Eastmond avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Eastmond dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Flare with a lazy takedown attempt

and Eastmond counters with a takedown into side control.
Flare throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Flare tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Eastmond taking a break here but Flare is having none of it and regains half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Eastmond in particular looking to stall.
Flare takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flare wants to control but Eastmond is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Eastmond prevents Flare from improving his position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Flare with a poor takedown
and Eastmond cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Flare closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Eastmond to the mat! Eastmond manages to get full guard.
Flare throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Flare drops back, looking for a kneebar! Eastmond looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Eastmond looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Eastmond!
Eastmond controlling the position.
Flare is trying to control Eastmond's posture but Eastmond avoids it.
Flare regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eastmond is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Flare wants to get back to his feet.
Eastmond wants to take a breather but Flare is having none of it.

Flare looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Eastmond seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

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.
Eastmond is looking to take a break and control but Flare is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Eastmond will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Flare is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Flare wants to get back to full guard but Eastmond has passed into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryan Eastmond showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Eastmond 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 29:28
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan Eastmond!