PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ken Crawford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tim Weinfurter (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.

Crawford
vs
Weinfurter

164 cm
22
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
20
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite 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 New York, Ken Crawford!
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, Tim Weinfurter!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Franklyn Lucas and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice combination there by Weinfurter.
Crawford throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Weinfurter counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Weinfurter.
Weinfurter tries to free his leg and advance position but Crawford is retaining full guard.

Crawford had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Weinfurter is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Crawford Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Weinfurter's back instead.
Crawford is trying to stick to Weinfurter's back but Weinfurter is turning into Crawford. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Crawford's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Weinfurter.
Crawford looking to hit a scissor sweep but Weinfurter is one step ahead there.
Crawford keeping full guard, as Weinfurter tries to pass.

Weinfurter is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Weinfurter moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Ken Crawford seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawford shoots and misses

and Weinfurter counters with a takedown into side control.
Crawford is breathing heavily.

Weinfurter working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Weinfurter is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Crawford knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Weinfurter tries for a kimura but Crawford is defending well.
Crawford is trying to control Weinfurter's posture but Weinfurter avoids it.

Weinfurter is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Crawford is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crawford manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Weinfurter sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Crawford defending well though.
Crawford wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are battling for position here. Crawford manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Crawford is on top in guard.
Weinfurter looking for a sweep. Not yet Weinfurter, not yet.
Weinfurter throws a nice elbow from the bottom.
Weinfurter 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.

Weinfurter has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Crawford can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Weinfurter manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Crawford manages to get himself to full guard.
Weinfurter looking to pass the guard.
Weinfurter passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Weinfurter looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Crawford is looking for a sweep.
Weinfurter grinds an elbow into Crawford's temple.

Weinfurter tries for a kimura but Crawford is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crawford tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Crawford misses with a strike from the bottom.
Crawford manages to work his way to half guard, despite Weinfurter's best efforts.
Crawford is not content to let Weinfurter control the position.
Crawford slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Crawford bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Weinfurter's guard.

Crawford stands up from Weinfurter's guard - Crawford perhaps looking for a knockout.
Crawford looks to land a combination but Weinfurter avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tim Weinfurter dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Weinfurter swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Weinfurter misses with a jab, cross combination.

Crawford drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Crawford trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Weinfurter had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Crawford is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Weinfurter Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Crawford's back instead.

Weinfurter looking to break Crawford's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Crawford remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Weinfurter will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Weinfurter lands a shot to the body.

Crawford is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Weinfurter goes for a risky armbar from back mount and it's not paid off. Crawford escapes and is now in half guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Crawford stands up and beckons Weinfurter to join him on the feet.
Weinfurter looks to land a combination. Crawford sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Weinfurter tries to clinch there but Crawford circles away.
Weinfurter tries to close the distance and clinch but Crawford swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Crawford swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Weinfurter scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Weinfurter is trying to work for a kimura but Crawford is defending well.

Weinfurter is trying to work for a kimura but Crawford is defending well.
Crawford wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Weinfurter wants to work for an arm triangle but Crawford is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Crawford is trying to control but can't.
Crawford moves into full guard.

Crawford working for a triangle but Weinfurter defends it easily.
Weinfurter won't allow Crawford to get back to his feet.
Crawford keeping full guard, as Weinfurter tries to pass.
Crawford not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
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.
Weinfurter wants to control from the top but Crawford keeps moving.
Crawford manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Weinfurter manages to get himself to full guard.
Crawford wants to control from the top but Weinfurter keeps moving.

Weinfurter is working an open guard so Crawford takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Crawford lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Crawford drives through with a takedown into guard.

Weinfurter working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Crawford doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Crawford manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Crawford working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Weinfurter throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Weinfurter looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Crawford decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Weinfurter, up you get!

Weinfurter drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Crawford is looking to reverse the position.
Crawford manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Crawford is trying to control but can't.
Crawford flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Crawford throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Weinfurter is looking to advance position but Crawford won't allow it.

Weinfurter is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Crawford connecting with a few gentle strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ken Crawford dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! 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.

Weinfurter fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Crawford avoids a punch combination nicely.
Weinfurter slips a jab and a cross from Crawford.
Crawford fails with the takedown

and Weinfurter counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Weinfurter is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Crawford is just riding it out for now. Weinfurter eventually gives up the hold.
Crawford is looking for a sweep. Weinfurter is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Crawford is looking to control Weinfurter's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Crawford avoid being mounted?
Weinfurter prevents Crawford from improving his position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Weinfurter missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Weinfurter is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Crawford works his way to full guard. Good work.

Crawford looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Weinfurter passes into half guard.
Crawford wants to improve his position but Weinfurter is controlling well.
Crawford is looking to escape.
Crawford is pressing down on Weinfurter's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Weinfurter with a flurry of punches that miss.
Crawford manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Crawford lands a heavy elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crawford raining down shots from the mount!
Crawford working the ground and pound effectively.
Crawford looking to control but Weinfurter is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Weinfurter tries to reverse the position but Crawford maintains control.
Crawford fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Weinfurter is trying to escape the mount.
Weinfurter is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Crawford unloads with some shots from mount but Weinfurter bucks and avoids them well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Weinfurter keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Weinfurter tries to hold on but Crawford postures up.
Weinfurter is wriggling around trying to escape.
Crawford is landing with some decent strikes but Weinfurter is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Tim Weinfurter has got the better of the ground game so far.
Crawford lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Weinfurter regains half guard.
Weinfurter wants to control but Crawford is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crawford scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Weinfurter slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Weinfurter looking for a sweep. Not yet Weinfurter, not yet.

Weinfurter looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Crawford advances position into side control!
Weinfurter tries to bench press Crawford off him but Crawford keeps the position.
Crawford cracks Weinfurter with a big right hand but Weinfurter just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Weinfurter is looking to regain half guard here but Crawford keeps moving and retains side control.

Crawford stands up.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ken Crawford.
I think Crawford 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ken Crawford!