PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Devon Black (ranked 1229 p4p, 1953 weight class) and Ben Passel (ranked 129 p4p, 197 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Black
vs
Passel

179 cm
24
162
8 - 6 - 0

177 cm
23
162
3 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

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NARCOS

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 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Devon Black!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ben Passel!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Elvis Blanc and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Black shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Passel as he avoids it easily.
Passel throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Black tries to counter with a takedown but Passel is quick to defend against it.
No luck for Passel with that takedown attempt.
Black just misses with a punch to the body.
Black shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Passel counters with a stiff right hand.
Black looks for a takedown but Passel sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Devon Black. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Passel drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Black looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black misses with a wild body shot.
Horrible takedown attempt by Black or perhaps it was just good defense by Passel, which made it look bad.

Passel gets caught napping as Black dives in and scores a takedown. Passel manages to retain guard.
Passel looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Passel is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Black trying to control but Passel is working from the bottom.
Black stopping the sweep attempt from Passel.
Black stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Passel swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Passel wants to sweep but no luck.
Black stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Passel swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Black trying to control but Passel is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Black blocks a jab.
Black fails with the takedown.
Black pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Passel is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black throws a poor cross that misses
and Passel counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Black scores with a jab. Passel acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Black throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Black misses with a few strikes there.
Passel connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Black momentarily.
A swing and a miss from Black.

Black closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Passel did well to prevent Black getting side control.

Passel looking for submissions off his back.
Passel felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Black working the head and body with strikes.
Black trying to control the action but Passel is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Passel won't allow Black to pass to mount.
Black working over Passel with some ground and pound. Passel looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Black prevents Passel from improving his position.

Passel is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Black pulls his head out easily.
Passel makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Passel.
Black postures up.
Black with a flurry of punches that miss.
Black postures up in Passel's guard and throws a big left but Passel blocks it.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Passel pulls Black in close to prevent any damage.

Passel is looking for a triangle but Black pushes his legs off easily.
Passel wants to sweep but no luck.
Black wants to pass the guard but Passel is keeping the position.
Black trying to control the position from guard on top but Passel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Black misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Black's corner calls for a 1-2. Black obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Black misses the target.
The fighters circling - Passel throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Black shoots in looking for a takedown. Passel tries to sprawl out of it but Black keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Passel manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Black swings widly with a right hand

and Passel counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Black!
Passel trying to control the position but Black is working away.
Black wants to control but Passel postures up.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Passel working the strikes but Black uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Black manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Black has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Passel stands and throws Black's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Passel cracks Black with a big elbow.
You can see the frustration on Black's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Black is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Passel creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Black sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Black tries to buck Passel off but Passel is having none of it.
Black is not content to let Passel control the position.
Passel working away.
Black is looking to regain half guard here but Passel keeps moving and retains side control.
Black is not content to let Passel control the position.
Black tries to buck Passel off but Passel is having none of it.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Passel connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Black some visible discomfort.
Passel wants to lay and pray for a moment but Black keeps working.
Passel works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Passel landing a few strikes.
Passel landing strikes.

Passel swings around for an armbar but Black sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Passel's guard.
Black wants to pass the guard but Passel is keeping the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Passel wants to sweep here but Black controlling him for the moment.

Passel throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ben Passel will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Passel cracks Black with a right hand to the side of the head.
Devon Black seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Passel ducks under a wild hook from Black.
Black fails with the takedown.
Black ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Passel moves away.
Passel fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Black lands with a nice body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black throws the left hand but Passel avoids the punch easily.
Black has a takedown stuffed.
Ben Passel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Passel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Black.
Passel looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Passel lands an overhand right.

Black bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Passel misses with a strike from the bottom.
Black scoring with punches and elbows.
Passel struggling a bit here.
Passel is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Passel dodges the ground and pound from Black.
Passel parries the strikes from Black easily there. Black is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Passel to escape.
Passel gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Passel trying to hold on to Black's head to control him but Black postures up.
Black working over Passel with some ground and pound. Passel looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Passel moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Passel has an active guard here but Black has managed to pass into half guard.
Passel is not content to let Black control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Passel wants to control but Black is keeping busy.
Black tries to pass the half guard into mount. Passel knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Passel makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Passel.
Black won't allow Passel to sweep him here.
Black engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Black is working Passel over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's four 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.
Black is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Passel not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Black not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Passel looking to hit a scissor sweep but Black is one step ahead there.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Passel throws a hook to the side of Black's head but Black sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Black tries to sprawl but Passel drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Passel not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Passel is looking to take a break and control but Black is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Passel wants to work for an arm triangle but Black is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Devon Black overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Black wants to improve his position but Passel is controlling well.
Passel lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Black actively working from the bottom here.
Passel is stalling here. Black is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Passel seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Black has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Black trying to control the position but Passel is working away.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Black tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Black is looking to take a break and control but Passel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Black avoids the strikes from the bottom by Passel.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Black working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Passel gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Black wants to pass to mount but Passel is defending the position.
Passel is looking to control Black's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Passel avoid being mounted?
Passel trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Black manages to pass to mount!
Passel sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Passel is defending against the submission attempts here by Black.
Black trying to control the action but Passel is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Passel wants to control but Black is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Passel is looking for a sweep. Black is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Black is working for a submission of some sort.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Black looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Passel is looking for a sweep. Black is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Passel taking some punishment here, with Black in his half guard.
Passel is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Black scores with a couple of nice shots.
Passel gets back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Passel 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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Devon Black dominated that second round.
That's time! Black's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Black throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
And Passel tries to counter it with a takedown but Black pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Horrible takedown attempt by Black or perhaps it was just good defense by Passel, which made it look bad.
Passel on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Black swings for the body but Passel moves out of range.
Black jabbing away but nothing is landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Passel keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Passel! But no joy.
Black fails to land the takedown.
Passel drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Black defends it well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Devon Black. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
The fighters circle momentarily. Passel darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Black shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Passel sprawls well. Passel wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Black gets slowly back to his feet.
Passel throws an overhand right that lands on Black's shoulder, as Black tries to avoid the shot.
Passel moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A telegraphed right hand from Passel misses the target.
A punch lands to the side of Passel 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Black lands a jab to the head.
Black rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Passel moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Passel connects with a right hand. Black shakes it off.
Black closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Passel slips a jab from Black.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Black is defended easily by Passel.
Passel is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nice takedown defense from Passel. No joy for Black on that attempt.
Black misses with a looping right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Passel throws a lazy uppercut
and Black counters with a nice uppercut.
Black shoots in for a takedown but Passel shows good takedown defense.
Black throws out a loose jab but Passel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Black looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Black is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Black throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Passel cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Black ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Black throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Passel counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Black gets full guard.
Passel passes into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Passel looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Black with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Passel is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
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. Passel connects with a nice short shot to Black's temple.
Passel prevents Black from improving his position.
Black is working hard here to advance position.
Passel looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Passel wants to work for an arm triangle but Black is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The fighters are battling for position here. Black manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Black working for a triangle but Passel defends it easily.
Passel trying to control the position from guard on top but Black is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Black looking for a guillotine here but Passel defends easily.

Black is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Passel defends well.

Black looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's six 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.
Passel missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Passel stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Black swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Passel working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Passel trying to control the position from guard on top but Black is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Passel won't allow Black to sweep him here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Black gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Black moves away from the strike by Passel.
Passel steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Black.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Passel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Black shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Passel as he avoids it easily.
Passel takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Black misses with a double jab.
Black shoots in looking for a takedown but Passel manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Black's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Black misses with a straight right.
Black shoots in and drives through. Passel sprawls well.
Black shoots in for a takedown but Passel shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A jab from Passel misses.
Passel takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Passel misses with a hook. Black ducked under it nicely.
Black with a lazy takedown attempt
and Passel counters with a straight right hand.
Passel with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Black to score with a decent uppercut.
Black tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Passel defends well and Black ends up having to push Passel into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Black prevents a takedown attempt there.
Passel lands with a short shot to the head.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Black lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Passel can't get the takedown.
Black is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Black breaks from the clinch.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Black ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Passel moves away.
Passel with the counter takedown but Black avoids it easily.
Passel is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Black lands a jab to the head.
Passel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Black looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Black won't allow Passel to sweep him here.
Black passes Passel's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Passel trying to control here.
Black is pressing down on Passel's thigh, looking to free his foot. Passel is holding on for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ben Passel.
I think Passel 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:29
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Passel!
Ben Passel decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.