PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Brett Helmreich (ranked 5063 p4p, 0 weight class) and Connor Somerset (ranked 5004 p4p, 0 weight class). Connor Somerset is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Helmreich
vs
Somerset

225 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

200 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Brett Helmreich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Connor Somerset!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Colin Fray and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Helmreich drives through with a takedown into guard.
Helmreich will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Somerset can't keep his opponent in guard - Helmreich advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Helmreich is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Somerset doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Helmreich.

Helmreich is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Somerset doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Helmreich.
Somerset has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Helmreich is working away from the top position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Helmreich seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Somerset has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Helmreich is working away from the top position though.
Somerset keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Somerset kicks off Helmreich and gets to his feet.
Somerset throws a poor cross that misses

and Helmreich counters with a nice double leg into guard.

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

Somerset got a little sloppy there for a moment and Helmreich has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Somerset has managed to get both his arms back between Helmreich's legs - danger averted.
Helmreich keeping moving, preventing Somerset from controlling successfully.
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.

Helmreich isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Somerset stacks Helmreich on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Somerset!
Somerset lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Helmreich down.

Somerset tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Helmreich really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Somerset tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Somerset has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helmreich can't do much from the bottom here.
Somerset is looking to take a break and control but Helmreich is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Somerset advances to mount.
Somerset avoids the attempt from Helmreich to control.

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.
Helmreich slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Somerset works his way into side control.
Helmreich tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.

Somerset is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Helmreich to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Helmreich shrugs it off.
Helmreich tries to hold on but Somerset pushes him away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Helmreich reaches up to try and control the position but Somerset seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Helmreich rolls and tries to escape and now Somerset has his back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Somerset has a takedown stuffed.
Somerset misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Somerset has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Helmreich is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Somerset's half guard.

Somerset kicks off Helmreich and gets to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Helmreich shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Helmreich was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

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

Helmreich swings around for an armbar but Somerset sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Helmreich's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helmreich is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Somerset works over Helmreich with some ground and pound from guard.
Somerset wants to control from the top but Helmreich keeps moving.
Helmreich can't keep his opponent in guard - Somerset advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Connor Somerset has got the better of the ground game so far.
Somerset controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Helmreich is not content to let Somerset control the position.
Somerset has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Helmreich works to full guard.

Helmreich working for submissions but it's allowed Somerset to get to half guard.

Helmreich is defending against the submission attempts here by Somerset.
Somerset is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helmreich is staying active underneath Somerset, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Helmreich trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Helmreich is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Helmreich is squirming around, avoiding Somerset's attempts to control the action.
Somerset manages to capitalize on a mistake by Helmreich to take his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Somerset is looking for the choke from the back position but Helmreich is controlling his hands well.
You can see the frustration on Helmreich's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Will Somerset go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Somerset is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Helmreich is really stuck here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Somerset is looking to control Helmreich but Helmreich is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Somerset avoiding Helmreich 's attempts to control his hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor Somerset showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Helmreich stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Helmreich wants it to stay on the feet.

Helmreich is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Somerset's half guard.
Helmreich scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Helmreich takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Somerset is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Helmreich's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Helmreich's back!
Helmreich tries to escape the position.
Helmreich wants to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Helmreich tries to escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helmreich is working hard here to advance position.
Helmreich is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Helmreich is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Somerset gets his way!
Somerset takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Somerset has the hooks in. Helmreich is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Helmreich looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Somerset working for the choke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helmreich wants to control his opponent's hands but Somerset gets his hands free.
Helmreich turns into Somerset and is now in his guard.

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

Somerset stands up and waves to Helmreich to follow him.

Helmreich shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Somerset wants to stand but Helmreich is controlling the position.

Helmreich drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Somerset dives on top into guard.

Helmreich is looking to sweep but instead, Somerset has passed into half guard.
Somerset wants to stand up but Helmreich is controlling the position.
Helmreich is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Somerset slips a nice elbow through Helmreich's hands, connecting with Helmreich's forehead.

Helmreich actively working from the bottom here.
Somerset works his foot free and advances to mount.
Helmreich reaches up to try and control the position but Somerset seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Helmreich rolls and tries to escape and now Somerset has his back!

And that's the end of the fight!
Connor Somerset comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Somerset 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Connor Somerset!