PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Palmer Coburn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chuck Ferguson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Palmer Coburn has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Coburn
vs
Ferguson

189 cm
25
225 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

195 cm
25
265 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Palmer Coburn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Chuck Ferguson!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Robert Douchet and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ferguson tries to close the distance and clinch but Coburn swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ferguson tries to clinch but Coburn moves out of range.
Ferguson stuffs the takedown.
Coburn tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ferguson swivels and escapes.
Coburn shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ferguson as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Palmer Coburn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ferguson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Coburn sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ferguson somewhat.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Coburn.
Coburn slaps away a takedown attempt from Ferguson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Coburn shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ferguson as he jumps to the side.
Ferguson fails with the takedown
letting Coburn counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Coburn shoots in looking for a takedown. Ferguson tries to sprawl out of it but Coburn keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ferguson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Coburn fails with the takedown.
Coburn showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ferguson.
Ferguson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ferguson wants it to stay on the feet.
Ferguson has a takedown stuffed.
Coburn shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ferguson defends it nicely.
Coburn stuffs the takedown attempt from Ferguson. Ferguson gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Coburn or perhaps it was just good defense by Ferguson which made him look bad.
Ferguson shoots for a double leg takedown but Coburn sprawls well. He's pushed Ferguson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ferguson shoots in for a double leg but Coburn sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ferguson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Coburn sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ferguson somewhat.
Coburn closes the distance and clinches up with Ferguson, looking for a takedown. Coburn pushes Ferguson against the cage but Ferguson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Coburn closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ferguson circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Coburn gets tackled into the cage by Ferguson. Ferguson maintains the clinch.
Ferguson trying to land knees to the body.
Coburn wants a takedown but no success here.
Coburn prevents Ferguson from breaking the clinch.
Coburn has Ferguson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ferguson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Ferguson jumps guard and drags Coburn to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Coburn trying to control but Ferguson is working from the bottom.
Ferguson wants to sweep but no luck.
Ferguson wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Ferguson keeping moving, preventing Coburn from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Coburn seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ferguson can do anything to dispel that myth.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Palmer Coburn.
Nice takedown defense from Coburn. No joy for Ferguson on that attempt.

Coburn looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Coburn is looking for a kimura here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ferguson is looking to get back to full guard here but Coburn has managed to pass to side control instead.
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 Palmer Coburn will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ferguson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Coburn defends it nicely.

Coburn is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ferguson's half guard.
Ferguson punching from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Coburn is looking to take a break and control but Ferguson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Ferguson is defending against the submission attempts here by Coburn.
Ferguson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Coburn is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Coburn in particular looking to stall.
Coburn trying to control from half guard but Ferguson is working away.
Coburn perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

We're going to have a standup here because Palmer Coburn wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Coburn rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Ferguson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Ferguson wants a takedown but no success here.
Ferguson has Coburn pressed against the cage.
Ferguson works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ferguson as Coburn tries to tie him up.
The referee is keeping an eye on Ferguson - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Ferguson stops a takedown attempt from Coburn.
Coburn is trying to drag Ferguson to the mat but Ferguson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Ferguson pulls guard effortlessly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson working a defensive guard here.

Coburn drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Coburn jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Coburn trying to control the position from guard on top but Ferguson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ferguson wants to sweep here but Coburn controlling him for the moment.
Coburn trying to control but Ferguson is working from the bottom.
Ferguson throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Coburn trying to control the position from guard on top but Ferguson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Palmer Coburn has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Ferguson drives through and clinches with Coburn against the cage.

Ferguson jumps guard.
Ferguson working a defensive guard here.
Ferguson keeping moving, preventing Coburn from controlling successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Coburn is stalling in the full guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Palmer Coburn just wasn't active enough.

Ferguson gets caught flat footed, as Coburn shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Palmer Coburn will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Coburn looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Coburn stuffs the takedown.
Ferguson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Coburn closes the distance and clinches up with Ferguson, looking for a takedown. Coburn pushes Ferguson against the cage but Ferguson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Coburn shoots in for a takedown but Ferguson shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Palmer Coburn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ferguson stalks Coburn and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Coburn's face. Coburn staggers backwards, shaken.

It looks like Palmer Coburn has been cut.
Ferguson shoots in but Coburn avoids the takedown attempt easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Ferguson drives through and clinches with Coburn against the cage.

Ferguson breaks the clinch.
Ferguson shoots in looking for a takedown. Coburn tries to sprawl out of it but Ferguson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Coburn manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ferguson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Coburn tries for a takedown but Ferguson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Coburn shoots and misses
and Ferguson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ferguson's corner calls for a 1-2. Ferguson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Chuck Ferguson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Ferguson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Coburn prevents Ferguson from getting back to his feet.
Coburn preventing the sweep.

Ferguson looking for a guillotine here but Coburn defends easily.
Ferguson looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Coburn drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Coburn jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Coburn preventing the sweep.
Coburn trying to control the position from guard on top but Ferguson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ferguson trying to keep a closed guard but Coburn is proving a slippery customer.
Ferguson wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nice sprawl there from Coburn as Ferguson shoots in.
Ferguson throws a sloppy head kick and Coburn moves out of range easily.
Ferguson shoots in for a takedown but Coburn shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Coburn.

Coburn looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Ferguson!
Ferguson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Coburn wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Coburn wants to control but Ferguson is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Coburn tries for a kimura but Ferguson is defending well.

Coburn tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Coburn is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ferguson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Chuck Ferguson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Palmer Coburn is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ferguson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Coburn's best efforts.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chuck Ferguson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Coburn 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!