PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jay Cartwright (ranked 2401 p4p, 1731 weight class) and Joey Horatius (ranked 152 p4p, 102 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cartwright
vs
Horatius

178 cm
29
143
11 - 4 - 0

164 cm
26
135
12 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Very strong

Olympic wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jay Cartwright!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joey Horatius!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Roger Salmon and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Horatius has taken the fight to the clinch.
Cartwright has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Horatius is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Cartwright can't get the takedown.

Horatius is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Cartwright can't fight it off and eventually Horatius manages to take the fight to the floor. Cartwright looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Cartwright is looking for a triangle but Horatius pushes his legs off easily.

Cartwright has his foot on Horatius's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Horatius works his way back into a safe position though.
Horatius landing with the ground and pound.
Cartwright has momentary wrist control but Horatius slips an elbow through the middle.

Cartwright working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Horatius doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Horatius manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Horatius lands a couple of digs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cartwright looking for subs off his back but Horatius has passed one foot through into half guard.
Horatius working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cartwright on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Cartwright is looking for a sweep. Horatius is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Cartwright is working hard here to advance position.
Horatius drops an elbow to the side of Cartwright's head.
Horatius prevents Cartwright from improving his position.
Horatius looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Cartwright with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Cartwright is looking for a sweep. Horatius is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Cartwright is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Horatius scores with a couple of nice shots.
Horatius landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Cartwright is rocked!
Horatius is nestled in close to Cartwright, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Oh Cartwright is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Cartwright looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Cartwright wants to improve his position but Horatius is controlling well.
Cartwright seems to have got his legs back now.
Nice strikes from Horatius there.
Cartwright wants to improve his position but Horatius is controlling well.
Cartwright is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Horatius's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Horatius's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Horatius manages to stand up with Cartwright still on his back. Eventually Cartwright drops to his feet and we're back in the standing position.

Horatius closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Cartwright quickly recovers to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cartwright taking some punishment here, with Horatius in his half guard.
Horatius looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Cartwright with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Horatius landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Cartwright gets full guard.
Horatius postures up and lands a big shot to Cartwright's brow.
Horatius controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Cartwright working for a triangle but Horatius defends it easily.

Cartwright escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Horatius gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Cartwright is breathing heavily.
Horatius works over Cartwright with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horatius is in close to Cartwright's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Horatius's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Horatius scoring with punches to the head and body.
Horatius lands a couple of digs.

Cartwright looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Horatius distracts Cartwright with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Horatius must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Horatius postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Cartwright keeping moving, preventing Horatius from controlling successfully.
Horatius working some strikes from top position.

Cartwright working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Horatius has passed into half guard!

Cartwright is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Horatius pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Horatius scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Horatius connects with a nice short shot to Cartwright's temple.
Cartwright tries to roll over but Horatius keeps him under control.
Horatius scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horatius looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Horatius lands strikes from half guard.
Horatius lands a massive shot from half guard that has rocked Cartwright! More strikes land and this one is all over! Horatius jumps to his feet and is applauded loudly by the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:31 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Joey Horatius!
Joey Horatius very nearly forgot to thank Conviction amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.