PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mike Howard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Markus Serdal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Howard comes to the cage accompanied by My Block. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Howard
vs
Serdal

165 cm
33
163 lbs
12 - 19 - 0

170 cm
30
170 lbs
6 - 9 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mike Howard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Markus Serdal!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Matheus Silva and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Serdal pushes Howard up against the cage in a clinch.
Serdal prevents the takedown attempt.
Howard tries to score a body lock takedown but Serdal shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Howard is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Howard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Howard wants to take the fight to the mat but Serdal manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Howard goes for a takedown in the clinch but Serdal prevents it.
Howard could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Serdal gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Howard is looking to improve his position.

Serdal looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Serdal is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Howard has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Serdal is pressing down on Howard's thigh, looking to free his foot. Howard is holding on for now.

Serdal is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Howard wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Serdal uses his free foot to push down on Howard's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Howard.
Howard sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Serdal is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Serdal seems to be looking for submissions.

Serdal is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Howard is just riding it out for now. Serdal eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Serdal is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Howard defends it well.
Serdal is thwarting Howard's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Serdal prevents Howard from improving his position.

Serdal is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Howard is just riding it out for now. Serdal eventually gives up the hold.

Serdal is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Howard defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Markus Serdal dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Howard fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Howard misses with a takedown attempt
and Serdal counters with a series of strikes. Howard will be more careful next time no doubt.
Howard has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Howard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horrible takedown by Howard or perhaps it was just good defense by Serdal which made him look bad.

Serdal cracks Howard with an uppercut from hell and Howard crumples to the canvas, he's out! Oh no, he's recovered and he's grabbed one of Serdal's legs and pulled him into guard. The ref thought about stopping it there but he's let it go - good reffing!

Howard is rocked!
Howard on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Howard tries to get out of the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Howard is trying to control the position but Serdal postures up.
Oh Howard is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Serdal thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Howard wants to sweep here but Serdal controlling him for the moment.
Howard seems to have got his legs back now.
Serdal advances to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Serdal is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Howard has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Serdal is working away from the top position though.

Serdal is working for a submission of some sort.

Serdal is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Howard doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Serdal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howard wants to get back to full guard.

Serdal is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Serdal is working for a submission of some sort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Serdal is looking for a kimura here.

Serdal seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Serdal is looking for a kimura but Howard is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Serdal to get the leverage.
The fighters are battling for position here. Howard manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Serdal 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.
Howard wants to sweep but no luck.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Serdal passes Howard's left leg - he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Markus Serdal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Howard's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

A jab-cross combination lands for Serdal and sends Howard crashing to the mat! Serdal follows him down to the mat - Howard regains half guard but he's not out of trouble yet!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Howard is trying to control but Serdal manages to pass to mount!

Serdal goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Howard turns into him and now he's in Serdal's guard.
Markus Serdal has got the better of the ground game so far.

Serdal is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Howard frees his head nicely. Oh but Serdal has switched to an armbar! Howard is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:46 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Markus Serdal!