PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rick Purcell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gray Maynard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Purcell
vs
Maynard

165 cm
24
145 lbs
8 - 15 - 0

178 cm
18
158 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 - 15 - 0, fighting out of London, Rick Purcell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Gray Maynard!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Daniel Bishop and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maynard closes the distance but Purcell moves to the side
enabling Purcell to counter with a crisp jab.
Maynard on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
The fight stays on the outside here - Maynard looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Maynard dodges the punch combination from Purcell.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Maynard throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Purcell tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Maynard is in Purcell's guard.
Purcell wants to stand and escape but Maynard is having none of it.
Maynard really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Purcell. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maynard wants to get up but he can't break Purcell's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Purcell is on top in guard.
Purcell might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Purcell trying to control but Maynard is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Purcell gets to his feet - Maynard follows without any prompting.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Purcell looks for a takedown but Maynard sprawls well.
Maynard dives in and grabs Purcell's left leg, looking for a takedown. Purcell pushes down on Maynard's head and hops out.
Purcell buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Maynard shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Purcell as he avoids it easily.
Maynard takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Purcell swats away the attempt to clinch by Maynard.
Purcell misses with a wild combination.
Purcell is breathing heavily.
Maynard with a lazy takedown attempt
and Purcell counters with an outside leg kick.
Rick Purcell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gray Maynard.
No luck for Maynard with that takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Purcell. No joy for Maynard on that attempt.
Rick Purcell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Purcell throws a head kick that misses.
Purcell fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Maynard fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Maynard slips a jab from Purcell.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maynard tries to clinch but Purcell moves out of range.
Maynard tries to clinch but Purcell is having none of it.
Maynard closes the distance and clinches up with Purcell, looking for a takedown. Maynard pushes Purcell against the cage but Purcell circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Maynard dodges the punch combination from Purcell.
Maynard fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Purcell avoids it really well and circles away.
A big right from Purcell misses.
Purcell throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Maynard counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Purcell's guard now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maynard wanted to stand there but Purcell had control of the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Purcell is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Purcell wanted to stand there but Maynard had control of the position.
Maynard keeping full guard, as Purcell tries to pass.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Purcell stops Maynard from standing up.
Purcell wanted to stand there but Maynard had control of the position.
Maynard is looking to stand up but Purcell isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Purcell wants to stand but Maynard is controlling his posture from full guard.
Purcell in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maynard keeping moving, preventing Purcell from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rick Purcell will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Horrible takedown by Maynard or perhaps it was just good defense by Purcell which made him look bad.
Rick Purcell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Purcell moves into range and clinches up with Maynard.
Maynard has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Purcell is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Maynard is trying to force a seperation but Purcell has the dominant position.
Maynard goes for a takedown in the clinch but Purcell prevents it.
Rick Purcell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gray Maynard.
Maynard wants a takedown.
Purcell wants to get back to striking at distance but Maynard won't allow it.

Purcell breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Maynard wants to clinch.
Maynard doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Purcell holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Purcell tries to break free but Maynard pushes him back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Maynard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Maynard misses with a body punch.
Purcell is pushing Maynard up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Maynard fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Purcell is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Maynard gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Purcell prevents Maynard from breaking the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maynard tries for a takedown. No joy.
Maynard can't get the takedown.
Maynard is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Purcell gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Maynard can't get the takedown.
Maynard struggles to land a body shot inside as Purcell controls his hands.
Maynard avoiding damage as Purcell throws knees to the body.
Purcell gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Maynard.
Maynard drops down looking for an ankle pick but Purcell pulls his leg out and moves away.

Purcell instigates a clinch.
Maynard is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Purcell gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Maynard is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Purcell gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Purcell keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Maynard's efforts to push away.

Purcell pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Purcell defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Maynard.
Purcell misses with a left hand

and Maynard counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Purcell!
Maynard wants to get back to his feet but Purcell is holding on tight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Purcell wants to control but Maynard is having none of it.
Maynard trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Purcell working to try and regain half guard.
Maynard looking to control but Purcell is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Purcell is wriggling around trying to escape.
Maynard trying to control but Purcell is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maynard is looking to stand but Maynard has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Maynard trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Purcell is desperately trying to improve his position but Maynard has a good base and remains in mount.
You get the feeling that Purcell really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Purcell tries to reverse the position but Maynard maintains control.
Maynard looking to control but Purcell is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Maynard stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Maynard shoots for a takedown but Purcell saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Purcell lands a jab-cross combination.
Maynard fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Purcell moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Maynard shoots in but Purcell avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Maynard shoots and misses

and Purcell counters with a takedown into side control.

Purcell decides to stand back up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maynard doesn't manage to clinch there - Purcell circles away.
Maynard shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Purcell defends it nicely.
Maynard fails to land the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Purcell dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Purcell misses with a combination

and Maynard moves into the clinch.
Purcell wants to break free but Maynard has control.
Maynard throws a head punch that misses.
Purcell gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Maynard.

Purcell manages to break the clinch.
Maynard tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Purcell paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Maynard shoots in looking for a takedown but Purcell manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Maynard's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Purcell clinches up against the cage.
Maynard misses with a hook to the ribs.

Purcell breaks the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Maynard as Purcell shoots in.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Maynard tries for a takedown. No joy.
Rick Purcell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gray Maynard.
Maynard goes for a takedown attempt but Purcell pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Purcell throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Maynard or perhaps it was just good defense by Purcell which made him look bad.
Maynard tries to clinch up but Purcell circles away and keeps his distance.
Horrible takedown by Maynard or perhaps it was just good defense by Purcell which made him look bad.
Maynard fails with a takedown attempt.
Purcell lands a head kick. Maynard smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Maynard shoots in for a takedown but Purcell shows good takedown defense.
Maynard shoots in for a double leg but Purcell sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Maynard shoots in looking for a takedown. Purcell tries to sprawl out of it but Maynard keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Purcell manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Purcell tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Maynard swivels and escapes.
Maynard misses with a takedown attempt

and Purcell counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Purcell pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maynard shoots in but Purcell avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Maynard shoots in and drives through. Purcell sprawls well.
Maynard looks to clinch
and Purcell counters with a nice leg kick.
Maynard shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Purcell as he avoids it easily.
Maynard tries to close the distance and clinch up but Purcell swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Purcell leaves Maynard with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Purcell tries to clinch up but Maynard circles away and keeps his distance.
Maynard shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Purcell but Purcell pushes him off and we're back to square one.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Purcell here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Maynard moves away from the strike by Purcell.

Maynard is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Purcell's half guard.
Purcell gets back to full guard.
Purcell throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maynard wanted to stand there but Purcell had control of the position.

Maynard stands up from Purcell's guard - Maynard perhaps looking for a knockout.
Purcell tries to bum rush Maynard with a series of wild strikes but Maynard uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Purcell misses with an uppercut

and Maynard counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Purcell manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Purcell misses with a right hand

and Maynard counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Maynard.
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!
Maynard won't allow Purcell to get back to his feet.
Maynard trying to stand up but can't free himself from Purcell's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Purcell wriggles free and stands up.
Maynard tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Purcell manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Maynard looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Maynard wants to clinch

and Purcell moves into the clinch.
Purcell wants to break the clinch but can't.
Maynard goes for a takedown in the clinch but Purcell prevents it.
Maynard tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Purcell wants to break the clinch but can't.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maynard fails to pull guard.
Purcell wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Maynard drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Purcell escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gray Maynard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Purcell has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rick Purcell!