PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between AJ Gardener (ranked 25347 p4p, 5048 weight class) and Reynard Frederick (ranked 520 p4p, 430 weight class). AJ Gardener has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Gardener
vs
Frederick

194 cm
20
147
1 - 3 - 0

171 cm
24
149
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, AJ Gardener!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Reynard Frederick!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Michael Johnstone and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Frederick tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gardener was well out of range. Poor timing from Frederick.
Gardener changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Frederick leaves Gardener with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Frederick tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Frederick scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Gardener takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Gardener drives through with a takedown into Frederick's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Frederick has control of Gardener's left arm, preventing Gardener from doing any damage.
Gardener won't allow Frederick to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Frederick is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Frederick missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardener is looking for a sweep. Frederick is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Frederick controlling the action here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
It looks like Frederick might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Frederick is pressing down on Gardener's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gardener is holding on for now.
Frederick scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Gardener on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Gardener tries to get out of the position.
Gardener is staying active underneath Frederick, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Frederick has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gardener trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!

Frederick looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Frederick working Gardener over with strikes here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gardener wants to hold on but Frederick pushes him away.
Gardener 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.
Frederick lands a couple of good shots and Gardener has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Frederick loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Gardener hold on?
What can Gardener do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Frederick is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Gardener. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Gardener really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Frederick has managed to slip his arm under Gardener's chin. This could be all over... yep, Gardener is tapping out! Submission win for Frederick.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Reynard Frederick!
Reynard Frederick seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.