PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Neville Champman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and BJ Penn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Champman
vs
Penn

178 cm
21
161 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

175 cm
24
163 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Hellbent, Inc.

Tesla Apparel
NATURAL BEAST

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Neville Champman!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, BJ Penn!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Sam Margolis and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Penn throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Champman's waist but Champman gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Penn off to one side.
Penn closes this distance looking for a takedown but Champman circles away.
Penn shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Champman as he jumps to the side.
Neville Champman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of BJ Penn.

Champman scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Champman staying calm.
Penn tries to get back to half guard but can't.
A lull in the action here as Champman stalls from top position.
Champman wants to control but Penn is keeping him busy.
Penn is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Champman working away.
Penn manages to get back to half guard.
Champman is looking to take a break and control but Penn is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Penn is looking to improve his position.
Champman wants to take a breather but Penn is having none of it.

Penn actively working from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

Penn drives through with a takedown into guard.
Penn looking to pass the guard.
Champman controls Penn momentarily but Penn frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penn preventing the sweep.
Penn postures up.
Penn passes Champman's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Penn seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Champman does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Champman scores with a jab. Penn acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Penn keeps the fight on the outside.

Champman shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Champman was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Penn is trying desperately to improve position.
Champman controlling from the full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn is working to get back to half guard.
Champman wants to control the pace but Penn is squirming around nicely.
Penn is looking to get to half guard.
Champman controlling the pace for now.
Penn working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Champman with the ground and pound from mount.
Champman controlling the pace for now.
Penn tries to hold on but Champman postures up.
Penn is working to get back to half guard.
Champman is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Penn can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Champman wants to control the pace but Penn is squirming around nicely.
Champman knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Penn on the ground.
Penn is trying desperately to improve position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Neville Champman dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Champman tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Penn paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Penn fails with the takedown
and Champman counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Penn doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Champman holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Champman tries to score a body lock takedown but Penn shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Champman goes for a takedown attempt but Penn pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
BJ Penn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Champman misses with a looping left.

Champman gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Penn preventing the sweep.

Penn drops back looking for a leg! Champman is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Champman manages to kick Penn off! Penn jumps back into Champman's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Champman trying to keep a closed guard but Penn is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn wants to control from the top but Champman keeps moving.
Champman is trying to keep Penn in close.

Penn drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Penn jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Penn slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Penn trying to control the position but Champman is working away.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penn tries to roll over but Champman keeps him under control.
Penn is looking to control Champman's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Penn avoid being mounted?

Penn looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Penn is trying to control but can't.
Champman passes the guard and advances to mount!
Penn keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Champman breaks from Penn's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn working to try and regain half guard.
Penn wants to hold on but Champman pushes him away.
Penn regains half guard.

Penn actively working from the bottom here.
Champman seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Penn does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Penn actively working from the bottom here.
Champman is trying to control the action in half guard but Penn is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Champman looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Penn makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Penn.

Penn throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Champman avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Penn is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
BJ Penn has got the better of the ground game so far.

Penn has his foot on Champman's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Champman works his way back into a safe position though.
Champman sitting in guard here, content to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but BJ Penn will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Penn throws a head kick that misses.
Penn gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Champman makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Penn really felt that one!
Penn gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

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

Champman breaks from the clinch.
Penn fails with the takedown

and Champman counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Neville Champman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of BJ Penn.

Champman wants the takedown. Penn is fighting it off but Champman persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Penn's guard against the cage.

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

Penn has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Champman can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Champman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Penn swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Penn escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Champman gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Penn can't keep his opponent in guard - Champman advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Penn tries to roll over but Champman keeps him under control.
Champman moves nicely into side control.
Penn is trying to improve his position.

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.
Champman controlling the position.
Penn is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Penn looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Champman looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Penn looking for submissions off his back.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn is looking to improve his position.

Penn looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Champman is keen to just control but Penn is a slippery customer.
Penn moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Penn keeping moving, preventing Champman from controlling successfully.
Penn controls Champman momentarily but Champman frees himself.
Champman trying to control the position from guard on top but Penn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.

Penn pushes a forearm under Champman's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Champman is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:24 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). BJ Penn!
BJ Penn is the new lightweight champion!