PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tate Casey (ranked 4271 p4p, 4087 weight class) and Booker Paul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Casey
vs
Paul

177 cm
25
155
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
20
145
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tate Casey!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Booker Paul!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Ian Loll and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Casey shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Casey showed some decent athleticism there.
Casey missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Casey wants to control but Paul is keeping him busy.

Casey is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Paul is just riding it out for now. Casey eventually gives up the hold.
Casey working the head and body with strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paul is staying active underneath Casey, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Casey wants to stand but Paul has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Casey wants to control but Paul is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
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. Casey connects with a nice short shot to Paul's temple.
Casey scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Casey seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Paul is trying to maintain the position but Casey is very close to passing his half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Paul manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Casey is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Casey decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Casey scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Paul is trying to get back to half guard.
Casey trying to control the action but Paul is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paul sneaks back into half guard.
Casey is thwarting Paul's attempts to control the position.
Casey has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Casey trying to control from half guard but Paul is working away.
It looks like Casey is going to stand back up.
Paul is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Casey scores with a couple of nice shots.

Casey seems to be looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Casey stands up from half guard.

Casey rushes Paul and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Casey has Paul pressed against the cage, preventing Paul from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Paul stalling in the clinch but Casey improves position.
Casey just leaning against Paul, taking a breather.

Casey breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Casey will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Paul shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Casey but Casey pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Paul looks winded!
Paul doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Casey counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paul gets underhooks to prevent Casey's takedown attempt.
Casey tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tate Casey. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paul throws a head punch that misses.
Casey's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Casey scores with a nice hook to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Paul wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Paul gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Casey.

Paul pulls Casey into guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tate Casey dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Casey throws a chopping leg kick but Paul manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Paul tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Paul darts in looking for a takedown but Casey gets double underhooks and turns Paul into the cage.
Casey scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Some wild striking there from Casey.
And Paul tries to counter it with a takedown but Casey pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Paul lands a nice looking kick to the body. Casey takes a step back to recover.

Casey feints and as Paul raises his hands in defense, Casey changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Casey might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Paul looking to control.
Casey wants to control from the top but Paul keeps moving.

Casey drops back looking for a leg! Paul is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Paul manages to kick Casey off! Casey jumps back into Paul's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Casey advances position into side control!
Casey working the ground and pound but Paul is defending the strikes.
Paul is trying to get back to his feet.

Casey decides to stand back up. Casey steps back and let's Paul get back to his feet.
Casey connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Casey lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Paul clinches up against the cage.
Casey is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Paul can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Casey works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Paul is breathing heavily.
Paul can't get the takedown.

Casey breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Paul changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Casey tries to avoid it but Paul manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Casey to the ground. Casey escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tate Casey has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Booker Paul.
Casey tries to bum rush Paul with a series of wild strikes but Paul uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Paul pushes Casey up against the cage in a clinch.
Casey makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Paul tries to pull guard but Casey won't allow it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Casey has hold of one of Paul's legs. Paul is fighting the takedown attempt but Casey gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Paul wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Casey manages to pass to side control.

Casey is looking to take a break and control but Paul is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Casey not doing much here.
Paul is trying to maintain the position but Casey is very close to passing his half guard.
Casey trying to control the pace.
Casey seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Paul for as long as he can get away with.
Casey not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Casey is looking for a kimura but Paul is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Casey to get the leverage.
Paul tries to get to full guard but Casey has control of the leg.
Casey missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Paul is looking to control Casey's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Paul avoid being mounted?

Casey is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Paul has managed to free his arm - good work.
Paul trying to control from the bottom.
Paul is staying active underneath Casey, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Casey scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tate Casey dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Paul tries to sprawl but Casey drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Casey is working for a kimura but Paul is defending it quite comfortably.
Paul gets back to full guard.

Casey drops back for a leg here. A bit of a high risk move... He's looking for a kneebar by the looks of things. Now both of them are looking for submissions. Casey seems to have locked his on tight now - Paul screams in pain and taps out furiously! It certainly was a high risk move but it's paid off for Casey, as he picks up the win!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:48 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Tate Casey!