PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between World Destroyer (ranked 6295 p4p, 3470 weight class) and Cudi Williams (ranked 476 p4p, 336 weight class). Williams has chosen Kid Cudi - Flight At First Sight as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Destroyer
vs
Williams

173 cm
23
145
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
150
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, World Destroyer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Cudi Williams!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Alec Ball and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Williams keeps the fight on the outside.
Williams scores with a head kick. Destroyer tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Destroyer swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Destroyer showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Williams.
Destroyer tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Williams paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Williams lands with a kick to the temple. Destroyer shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Destroyer moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Cudi Williams has been cut.

Destroyer closes the distance and pushes Williams back into the cage.
I was talking to Destroyer's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Destroyer is trying to maintain a safe position but Williams gets an underhook and turns Destroyer into the cage.
Destroyer lands a hook that snaps the head of Williams backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Destroyer displaying some good clinch control by pressing Williams up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Destroyer fails to pull guard.
A bit of stalling here from Destroyer.
Williams is pushing Destroyer up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Destroyer ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Destroyer no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Williams trying to control the position from guard on top but Destroyer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Williams stopping the sweep attempt from Destroyer.
Williams wanted to stand there but Destroyer had control of the position.
Williams must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Destroyer working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Destroyer is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Williams is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Destroyer 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.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Williams slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Destroyer is looking to control Williams's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Destroyer avoid being mounted?

Williams stands up out of the half guard.
Williams avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Destroyer fails with an attempt to clinch.
Despite the aggression on Williams's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Williams avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Destroyer wants to clinch up but Williams keeps it at a distance.
Destroyer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Destroyer forces Williams back against the cage and clinches.
Destroyer fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Destroyer tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Williams just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for World Destroyer. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williams misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Destroyer.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A nice right hand lands inside from Destroyer.

Williams has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Destroyer uses from the top position.
Destroyer looking to sit in guard and control but Williams gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Williams is stalling in the full guard.
Williams stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Destroyer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Destroyer looking for a sweep. Not yet Destroyer, not yet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cudi Williams dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Cudi Williams's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Destroyer misses with a double jab

and Williams counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Williams showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Destroyer manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Williams manages to get himself to full guard.

Williams throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Williams keeping moving, preventing Destroyer from controlling successfully.
Williams has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Williams is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Destroyer wants to control from the top but Williams keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Williams working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Destroyer.

Williams working for a triangle but Destroyer defends it easily.
Destroyer wants to control from the top but Williams keeps moving.
Destroyer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Williams is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Williams escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Destroyer gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Destroyer trying to control but Williams is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Williams tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Some wild striking there from Destroyer.
Destroyer tries to clinch but Williams is having none of it.
World Destroyer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Williams takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Destroyer misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Destroyer tries to close the distance and clinch but Williams swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Williams is looking for the big counter here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Destroyer.
Destroyer will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A nice side step and Williams releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Destroyer moves to clinch but Williams breaks away

and Williams counters with a single leg into guard. Destroyer didn't expect that.
Destroyer keeping full guard, as Williams tries to pass.
Williams stays in close to Destroyer's body and controls the position.
Destroyer lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Destroyer throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Destroyer is fighting to break Williams's control of his arms but Williams is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Cudi Williams has got the better of the ground game so far.
Destroyer throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Williams works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Destroyer stays in close to Williams's body and controls the position.
Williams keeping moving, preventing Destroyer from controlling successfully.
Williams trying to control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Destroyer is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that World Destroyer will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Cudi Williams's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Williams throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
No joy there for Destroyer, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Destroyer misses with a hook

and Williams counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Williams.
Destroyer tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Destroyer controls Williams momentarily but Williams frees himself.
Williams is looking to stand up but Destroyer won't let him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Williams looking to sit in guard and control but Destroyer gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Williams keeping moving, preventing Destroyer from controlling successfully.
Destroyer controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Destroyer wants to control from the top but Williams keeps moving.
Destroyer is really struggling to control Williams but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Williams is pulling down on Destroyer's head. It's preventing any offense from Destroyer, at least for the moment.
Destroyer missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Williams not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Destroyer is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
It seemed like Williams was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Destroyer dives in and grabs Williams's left leg, looking for a takedown. Williams pushes down on Destroyer's head and hops out.
Destroyer moves to clinch but Williams breaks away
and Williams counters with a stiff right hand.
Williams throws a sloppy head kick and Destroyer moves out of range easily.
Williams avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Destroyer tries to clinch
and Williams counters with a series of strikes. Destroyer will be more careful next time no doubt.
Destroyer tries to clinch up
and Williams counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Destroyer tries to clinch but Williams moves out of range.
World Destroyer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick from Williams lands but Destroyer takes it in his stride.
Williams throws a head kick that Destroyer semi-blocks.
Destroyer tries to clinch there but Williams circles away.
Destroyer fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Williams avoids it really well and circles away.
Destroyer tries to clinch there but Williams circles away.
Destroyer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Williams tries to counter with a clinch but Destroyer shakes him off and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williams keeps the fight on the outside.
Williams shapes to counter with a head kick.
Destroyer misses with a two punch combination.

Williams feints and as Destroyer raises his hands in defense, Williams changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Williams postures up.
Williams won't allow Destroyer to sweep him here.
Williams controlling from the top position.
Destroyer 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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Williams controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cudi Williams comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Williams has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 William Peck scores the fight 28:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cudi Williams!
Cudi Williams decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.