PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between James Howlett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wilhelm Reich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reich has chosen Wilhelm Reich in Hell as his entrance music. Wilhelm Reich has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with James Howlett's chin.

Howlett
vs
Reich

168 cm
27
142 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

170 cm
22
138 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

MADE IN GERMANY

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 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, James Howlett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Wilhelm Reich!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, James Ackerman and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reich avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Reich keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Howlett.
Reich shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Howlett but Howlett pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Howlett stuffs the takedown.
Reich fails to land the takedown.
James Howlett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wilhelm Reich.
Howlett stuffs the takedown.
Howlett throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Reich.
Howlett scores with a jab to the head.
Reich shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Howlett as he jumps to the side.
Howlett misses with a hook.
Reich keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Reich shoots in and bounces Howlett off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Reich wants to pass the guard but Howlett is keeping the position.
Howlett being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Howlett is on top in guard.
Howlett looking to pass the guard.
Howlett passes Reich's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Reich trying to hold on to Howlett's head to control him but Howlett postures up.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Howlett stands up from half guard.

Howlett rushes Reich and presses him up against the cage.
Howlett slows down the pace here.
Howlett blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Howlett has Reich pushed against the cage.
Reich wants to break the clinch but can't.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Howlett.
Howlett makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Reich tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Howlett is pushing Reich up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Reich breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Reich takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Howlett throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Howlett tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Howlett is looking to clinch but Reich is avoiding it.
Howlett throws out a loose jab but Reich uses good head movement to avoid it.
Howlett tries to bum rush Reich with a series of wild strikes but Reich uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reich shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Howlett defends it nicely.

Howlett clinches up with Reich and pushes him back against the cage.
Reich doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Howlett blocking some punches.
Reich misses with the head strike.
Howlett lands a right hand that snaps the head of Reich backwards.
Reich has had enough of the clinch but Howlett keeps him there for the moment.
Howlett throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Howlett blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Reich working aggressively here.
Howlett stalling.
Howlett blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right from Howlett.
Howlett blocking some punches.
A shot in the inside from Howlett.
A right handed body shot lands from Howlett.
Howlett stalling against the cage.
Howlett works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Reich has had enough of the clinch but Howlett keeps him there for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howlett works on Reich's body with a couple of short punches.
Reich looks gassed!
Reich tries for a takedown. No joy.
Reich being controlled against the cage.
Howlett gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
A frustrated look appears on Reich's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Howlett digs a right hand underneath Reich's ribcage. Reich let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Reich has a couple of punches blocked by Howlett.

Reich gets control of Howlett's arms and successfully pulls guard. Reich will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Howlett stays in close to Reich's body and controls the position.
Howlett works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Howlett seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Howlett dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Some wild striking there from Howlett.
Reich fails to land the takedown.
Howlett throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Howlett gets caught flat footed, as Reich shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Reich drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Howlett manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Reich has Howlett in his guard.
Reich can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Howlett controls the pace.
Howlett's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reich is trying to control the position but Howlett postures up.
Howlett content to stall in guard here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of James Howlett.
Reich takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Howlett tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Reich was well out of range. Poor timing from Howlett.
Reich shoots in but Howlett avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howlett stuffs the takedown attempt from Reich. Reich gets slowly back to his feet.
James Howlett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wilhelm Reich.
Howlett with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Reich is breathing heavily.
Howlett connects with a good right hand that stumbles Reich. Reich circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Howlett tries to bum rush Reich with a series of wild strikes but Reich uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Reich fails to land the takedown.
Howlett lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Reich fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Howlett throws the left hand but Reich avoids the punch easily.
Reich misses with a takedown attempt - Howlett sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Reich fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Reich shoots in but Howlett avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Reich.
Howlett tries to clinch there but Reich circles away.

Howlett has managed to clinch.
Howlett pushes Reich back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Reich wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Reich has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Reich wants to get back to striking at distance but Howlett won't allow it.
Reich is trying to break the clinch but Howlett is controlling him.
Howlett blocks an uppercut.
Howlett scores with a shot to the side of Reich's head.
Howlett digs a right hand into Reich's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Reich's gas tank.
Stalling in the clinch from Howlett.
Howlett stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Howlett.
Reich working aggressively here.
Reich drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Howlett lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Reich.
Howlett lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Reich being controlled against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howlett lands with a light punch inside.
Howlett working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Reich misses with a punch on the inside.
Reich has had enough of the clinch but Howlett keeps him there for the moment.
Howlett prevents Reich from breaking the clinch.
Howlett lands a shot to the body.
Howlett lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Howlett leaning his opponent against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Howlett scores with a nice short uppercut.
Reich misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nice body punch from Howlett - that landed with a thud.
Howlett is leaning against Reich and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Howlett throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Reichs head.
Reich throws a head punch that misses.
Reich goes for a takedown in the clinch but Howlett prevents it.
Reich working aggressively here.
Reich is trying to force a seperation but Howlett has the dominant position.
Howlett has Reich pressed against the cage, preventing Reich from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Howlett lands a right hand.
Reich being controlled against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Howlett dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A left and a right from Howlett both land. Nice combination.
Reich shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Howlett pinned against the cage. Howlett gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Howlett cracks Reich with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Howlett catches Reich with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Howlett throws a lazy right hand but Reich sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Reich shoots for a double leg takedown but Howlett sprawls well. He's pushed Reich's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Howlett lands a nice looking body shot.
Reich takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Reich takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Howlett dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Howlett goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Reich avoids the body shot from Howlett.
Reich closes the distance and clinches up with Howlett, looking for a takedown. Reich pushes Howlett against the cage but Howlett circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
James Howlett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wilhelm Reich.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howlett tries to clinch but Reich moves out of range.
Horrible takedown by Reich or perhaps it was just good defense by Howlett which made him look bad.
Howlett fails with an attempt to clinch.
Howlett misses with a body shot.
Howlett lands with a good body shot.
Howlett paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Howlett throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Howlett just misses with a punch to the body.
Howlett misses with a looping right.
Some wild striking there from Howlett.
Howlett tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
James Howlett is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Reich looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Howlett is fending him off so far but Reich persists. Nope, Howlett circles away and we're back to standing.
Howlett cracks Reich with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howlett bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Howlett misses with a hook. Reich ducked under it nicely.

Reich tries to keep at a distance but Howlett has taken the fight into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Howlett.
Reich lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Howlett scores with a hook to the body.
Reich misses with some punches.

Reich breaks from the clinch.
Howlett swinging wildly here.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Reich is defended easily by Howlett.
Howlett misses with an uppercut. Reich saw that one coming.
Howlett misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Reich.
James Howlett is winning the standup battle so far.
Reich fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
James Howlett is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett works over Reich's head and body with a nice combination.
Howlett is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Reich dives in and grabs Howlett's left leg, looking for a takedown. Howlett pushes down on Reich's head and hops out.
Howlett tries to clinch but Reich moves out of range.
Howlett misses with an uppercut.
Reich shoots in for a double leg but Howlett sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Howlett connects with a crisp jab.

Howlett rushes Reich and presses him up against the cage.
Reich has had enough of the clinch but Howlett keeps him there for the moment.
Reich swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Howlett keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Reich's efforts to push away.
Howlett throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Reich is trying to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Reich can't break the clinch.
Howlett has Reich pressed against the cage, preventing Reich from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Howlett prevents Reich from breaking the clinch.
Reich can't get the takedown.
Reich throws a punch but it's blocked by Howlett.
Reich misses with some punches.
Reich has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Reich has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Howlett avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Howlett is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Reich wants to break the clinch but can't.
Wilhelm Reich has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Reich can't break the clinch.
Reich tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Howlett just stands there and leans against the cage.
Howlett blocks an uppercut.
Howlett lands a body punch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Reich tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Howlett is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Reich can do to turn this around?
Reich wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Howlett showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Howlett has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:26
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Howlett!