PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sheev Palpatine (ranked 1274 p4p, 1464 weight class) and Abraham Durden (ranked 157 p4p, 183 weight class). Palpatine comes to the cage accompanied by I am the Senate. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Palpatine
vs
Durden

176 cm
34
160
12 - 10 - 2

180 cm
30
158
12 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Distinct Label

Sydney Fight Gear (London Rebirth)
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sheev Palpatine!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Abraham Durden!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Steven Brown and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Palpatine throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Palpatine on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Durden. Durden obviously looking to wear him down.
Durden throws a leg kick
and Palpatine counters with a straight right hand.
Palpatine throws the left hand but Durden avoids the punch easily.
Durden with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Palpatine takes a swing at Durden's ribcage but misses.
Durden appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
A low kick from Palpatine is predictable there
and Durden counters with a stiff right hand.
Palpatine tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Durden was well out of range. Poor timing from Palpatine.
A slapping leg kick lands for Durden.
Palpatine attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Palpatine misses the shot to the body.
Durden throws an overhand right that lands on Palpatine's shoulder, as Palpatine tries to avoid the shot.
Palpatine has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Durden connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Durden thuds his right hand into Palpatine's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Abraham Durden seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Palpatine ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Palpatine is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Durden moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Palpatine connects with a jab.
Palpatine lands a right hook to the body.
Palpatine throws a hook to the side of Durden's head but Durden sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Palpatine ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Palpatine appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durden tries to move into range but Palpatine moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Palpatine walks into a stiff left hand from Durden.
Palpatine checks the leg kick nicely there.
Palpatine connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Palpatine's corner calls for a 1-2. Palpatine obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Palpatine takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Durden uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Palpatine.
Palpatine throws a body punch but Durden moves out of range.
Palpatine pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Durden misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Palpatine.
Palpatine misses the jab.
Durden ducks under a wild hook from Palpatine.
Jab from Palpatine.
Durden scores with a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Palpatine takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Durden scores with a kick to the body.
Palpatine connects with a solid leg kick.
Durden scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Durden cracks Palpatine with a right hand to the side of the head.
Palpatine throws a body shot but no joy.
Durden lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Durden.
Palpatine jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A slow jab from Palpatine misses its intended target.
Durden works the jab nicely.
Palpatine takes a swing at Durden's ribcage but misses.
Durden moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Durden throws a hook to the side of Palpatine's head but Palpatine sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Durden has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
A telegraphed right hand from Palpatine misses the target.
A low kick lands for Durden.
Palpatine jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Durden jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Durden misses with a body kick.
Durden lands a head shot.
Durden takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Durden throws a wild body kick that Palpatine sees coming a mile off.
Palpatine doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palpatine moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Palpatine. Durden does a little dance to reset his feet.
Durden flicks out a counter leg kick but Palpatine steps away.
Durden lands a head shot.
Palpatine misses with an uppercut. Durden saw that one coming.
Palpatine slips under a jab.
Durden chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Durden throws a chopping leg kick but Palpatine manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Durden is looking to slow Palpatine down with leg kicks.
Durden drops his hands momentarily and Palpatine takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Palpatine ducks under a wild hook from Durden.
Palpatine lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A nice inside leg kick there by Durden. That's going to slow Palpatine down.
Palpatine is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Nice jab there from Durden.
Durden misses with a low kick.
Palpatine appears to be looking for a big counter.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Good work by Palpatine as he checks the leg kick.
Palpatine misses with a kick to the body.
Durden throws a low kick but it's checked well by Palpatine.
Durden throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palpatine walks into a jab.
Palpatine throws a low kick but it's checked well by Durden.
Palpatine slips under a jab from Durden.
Durden closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Durden scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Durden listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Palpatine throws a body shot but no joy.
Durden let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Palpatine.
Durden throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Palpatine sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Palpatine throws a push kick but Durden slaps the foot to one side.
Palpatine looks to score with a jab to the body but Durden is just out of range.
Durden lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Durden lands with a thumping leg kick.
Durden lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Palpatine looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Palpatine buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Palpatine turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Palpatine bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abraham Durden dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Durden connects with a crisp jab.
Palpatine keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Palpatine swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Palpatine throws a hook but Durden blocks it.
Palpatine misses with a body kick.
Palpatine throws out a loose jab but Durden uses good head movement to avoid it.
Palpatine uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Durden.
Durden avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Durden tried to score with a low kick but Palpatine checks it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Durden.
Palpatine misses with an uppercut.
Palpatine takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Durden displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Palpatine throws out the jab.
Durden connects with an inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Durden fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Palpatine.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Palpatine might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Good leg kick by Durden.
Palpatine lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Durden circles away quickly and effectively.
Palpatine chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Durden can pounce on him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Palpatine takes a swing at Durden's ribcage but misses.
Palpatine swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Durden steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Durden misses.
Palpatine throws a hook but Durden avoids it easily.
Palpatine uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Durden.
Durden moves out of range of the body kick.
Palpatine is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Durden.
Durden scores with the left hand. Palpatine knows he should have avoided that one.
Palpatine is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Durden bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Palpatine's head backwards.
Durden stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Palpatine moves out of range as Durden throws a body kick.
Durden lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Palpatine misses with a body kick.
Durden blocks a leg kick.
Durden looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Palpatine blocks a low kick nicely.
Durden tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Durden lands a nice looking body kick.
Palpatine lands with a kick to the ribs.
Durden dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Durden slips under a jab.
Durden swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Palpatine swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Palpatine tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Durden staying out of range there.
Durden was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Palpatine slips under a jab from Durden.
Abraham Durden seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Durden missing with a left hand there. Palpatine was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Palpatine throws a front kick that sends Durden stumbling back into the cage.
The fighters circle momentarily. Palpatine darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Durden moves out of range as Palpatine throws a body kick.
Palpatine throws a body shot but no joy.
A big right from Durden misses.
Durden throws a leg kick but Palpatine sees it coming and checks it nicely.
An attempted straight right counter from Palpatine misses the target.
Palpatine tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Palpatine looks for the body kick but Durden saw that one coming.
Durden looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A nice leg kick lands there from Durden.
Durden misses the shot to the body.
Palpatine walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Palpatine.
Palpatine swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A nice leg kick from Palpatine, right into the meat of the thigh.
Durden fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Palpatine ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A leg kick checked by Durden.
Palpatine is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Durden.
Durden throws out a counter right but Palpatine avoids it with no problem.
Palpatine looks for the body kick but Durden saw that one coming.
Durden keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Durden. That's going to slow Palpatine down.
Palpatine throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A combination from Palpatine does no damage.
Durden connects with a single shot there.
Durden throws a nice outside leg kick.
Palpatine tries to move into range but Durden moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A nice inside leg kick there by Durden. That's going to slow Palpatine down.
Palpatine 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 cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Durden throws a quick inside leg kick.
Durden uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Palpatine.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palpatine waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Durden.
Good leg kick by Durden.
Durden throws an overhand right that lands on Palpatine's shoulder, as Palpatine tries to avoid the shot.
Durden has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Palpatine looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Palpatine lands a slapping body shot.
Palpatine looks to land a left hand but Durden moved out of range nicely.
Durden throws a hook but Palpatine avoids it easily.
Palpatine jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Durden pushes Palpatine away with a front kick.
Durden scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Durden scoring well with a low kick there.
Durden throws a low kick, looking for Palpatine's leg but Palpatine calmly moves out of range.
Palpatine has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Durden.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Durden uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Palpatine.
Durden takes one to the side of the head.
Durden pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Durden throws a good cross that connects.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abraham Durden showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Palpatine has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Durden.
Palpatine looks to score with a jab to the body but Durden is just out of range.
Durden paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Durden takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Durden keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Durden with a jab.
Durden pivots, looking for a leg kick but Palpatine is out of range and Durden settles back down.
Durden moves into range and connects with a jab.
Palpatine keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Durden misses with a low kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Durden. That's going to slow Palpatine down.
Palpatine looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Durden now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Durden defending well as Palpatine loads up on a big left hand.
Palpatine blocks a jab.
Palpatine seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Durden slips under a jab.
Durden waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Palpatine.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Palpatine lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Durden has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Durden and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Palpatine pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durden connects with a leg kick.
Durden misses with a low kick as Palpatine jumps back.
Palpatine throws the left hand but Durden avoids the punch easily.
It seemed like Durden was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Durden wants to land a leg kick but Palpatine is out of range.
Palpatine delivers a nice body kick.
Palpatine looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A looping hook to the body misses from Palpatine. Durden does a little dance to reset his feet.
Palpatine throws a body kick that misses.
Durden with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Palpatine throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Durden.
Durden thuds his right hand into Palpatine's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Durden comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Durden scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Palpatine moves away from the strike by Durden.
Palpatine tries to land a front kick but Durden steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Durden feints a counter leg kick.
Durden walks into a jab.
Sheev Palpatine has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Durden misses with an uppercut. Palpatine saw that one coming.
Durden thumps Palpatine with a low kick.
Palpatine cracks Durden with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Durden misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Palpatine.
Durden throws a leg kick which misses Palpatine's front leg but catches the back leg as Palpatine tries to avoid it.
Durden throws out a loose jab but Palpatine uses good head movement to avoid it.
Palpatine misses with a leg kick.
Palpatine is looking to chop away at Durden's legs.
Palpatine lands a jab to Durden's midsection.
That kick from Durden tenderised Palpatine's leg. Palpatine is trying to keep his angry face on.
An inside leg kick lands from Durden.
Palpatine defending well as Durden loads up on a big left hand.
Durden connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nice body kick from Durden.
Palpatine throws a body kick that misses.
It seemed like Durden was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Durden turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Palpatine - that will leave a mark!
Palpatine looks to land a body kick but Durden moved away.
Palpatine throws a low kick, looking for Durden's leg but Durden calmly moves out of range.
A jab from Durden does it's job there.
Palpatine attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Durden lands a really nice looking cross but Palpatine seems unphased.
Palpatine misses the shot to the body.
Palpatine has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Durden.
Durden with a nice calf kick.
Durden checks a low kick from Palpatine.
Durden throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Durden moves out of range of the body kick.
Palpatine looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Palpatine lands with a kick to the ribs.
Palpatine misses with a double jab
and Durden counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Palpatine misses with a body shot.
Palpatine backing away here, and Durden unleashes a leg kick that just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palpatine takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Durden lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Palpatine just misses with a punch to the body.
Durden connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Durden cracks a nice hook into Palpatine's ribs.
A left and a right from Palpatine both land. Nice combination.
Palpatine needs to keep his hands up - Durden had a free shot at his head there.
Durden connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Palpatine crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Durden - the referee stops the clock and Palpatine gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Durden. Palpatine manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Durden throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Palpatine stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Palpatine moves out of range of the strikes.
Durden pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Durden avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Durden turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Palpatine has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Durden finds it's way round the side to connect with Palpatine's head.
Abraham Durden is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Durden moves out of range of the strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abraham Durden comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Durden 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abraham Durden!
The defeated Sheev Palpatine had this to say: 'Unlimited POOOWWWAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!'.