PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vaughn Howe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mitch The Boulder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Howe
vs
The Boulder

191 cm
19
278 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

181 cm
25
230 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vaughn Howe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mitch The Boulder!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Cecil Peabody and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Howe gets caught flat footed, as The Boulder shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
The Boulder has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Howe is proving hard to escape from.
The Boulder postures up.
Howe has his hands on The Boulder's head, controlling the position.
Howe keeping moving, preventing The Boulder from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Howe tries to score a power double leg takedown but The Boulder sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Howe somewhat.
Howe moves out of range of the body kick from The Boulder.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The Boulder clinches up against the cage.

The Boulder breaks the clinch.

The Boulder shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Howe is trying to defend but The Boulder finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

The Boulder gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

The Boulder fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Howe sprawls well initially but The Boulder persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Howe is not content to let The Boulder control the position.
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!
Howe wants to control but The Boulder is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Boulder content to control rather than advance.
The Boulder not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Howe trying to hold on to The Boulder's head to control him but The Boulder postures up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Howe enables The Boulder to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Howe manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Howe keeping moving, preventing The Boulder from controlling successfully.

Howe is looking for a triangle but The Boulder pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Boulder looking to sit in guard and control but Howe gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Howe connects with a couple of short punches.
Howe stands up over The Boulder, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The Boulder is trying to keep Howe in close.
Howe postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Howe throws a big elbow that misses.
Howe scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Boulder pulls Howe in close to prevent any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Howe accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The Boulder working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Howe.
Howe throws a big elbow that misses.
Howe trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Howe postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The Boulder is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Howe is controlling him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Howe landing some decent shots from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mitch The Boulder dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Howe pulls out of a head kick attempt.

The Boulder shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The Boulder wanted to stand there but Howe had control of the position.
The Boulder must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Howe pulls The Boulder in to control the position.
The Boulder pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Howe is keeping the position for now.
Howe working a defensive guard here.
Howe is adopting a defensive guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vaughn Howe has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

The Boulder bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The Boulder working away.
The Boulder trying to control the position but Howe is working away.
The Boulder might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Howe haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Howe looks to move to half guard but instead The Boulder has passed into mount! Damn!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Boulder raining down hammerfists from mount.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for The Boulder. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
The Boulder tries to control but Howe wriggling away.
Howe gets back to half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Howe is trying to get back to full guard.
Howe could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
The Boulder winds up and cracks Howe with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howe preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Howe makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Howe.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Howe is on top in guard.
The Boulder working a defensive guard here.

The Boulder throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Howe stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The Boulder rushes Howe and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The Boulder lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Howe backwards.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
The Boulder looking to throw knees to the head but Howe is blocking nicely.

The Boulder lands a takedown into guard.
The Boulder is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Howe looking to control.
Howe tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The Boulder trying to control the position from guard on top but Howe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Howe trying to keep a closed guard but The Boulder is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mitch The Boulder showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Howe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

The Boulder drives through and clinches with Howe against the cage.

The Boulder has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Howe uses from the top position.
Howe throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as The Boulder works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Howe postures up in The Boulder's guard and throws a big left but The Boulder blocks it.

The Boulder is looking for a triangle here but Howe uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Howe tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Howe has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Howe prevents The Boulder from escaping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Boulder is trying to get back to half guard.

Howe is trying to get an arm triangle but The Boulder is defending well.
Howe working the ground and pound.

Howe tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Howe has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The Boulder is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Boulder manages to work his way to half guard, despite Howe's best efforts.

Howe seems to be working for a kimura but The Boulder defends the submission attempt.

The Boulder kicks off Howe and gets to his feet.
The Boulder takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

The Boulder forces Howe back against the cage and clinches.
Howe taking a breather.

The Boulder lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Howe regains full guard. Nicely done.
Howe controlling The Boulder's posture.
The Boulder sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howe has control of The Boulder's left arm, preventing The Boulder from doing any damage.
Howe trying to control the position.
Howe is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

We're going to have a standup here because Vaughn Howe wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

The Boulder moves into range and clinches up with Howe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The Boulder is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Howe can't fight it off and eventually The Boulder manages to take the fight to the floor. Howe looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Howe looking to control.
The Boulder wanted to stand there but Howe had control of the position.
The Boulder not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Howe has control of The Boulder's left arm, preventing The Boulder from doing any damage.
Vaughn Howe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mitch The Boulder is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The Boulder trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Howe manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

And that's the end of the fight!
Mitch The Boulder comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well The Boulder has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mitch The Boulder!