PBP Commentary

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

punch
vs
Strides

185 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

187 cm
23
203 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, rocky punch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ethan Strides!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Franklyn Lucas and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
punch stuffs the takedown attempt from Strides. Strides gets slowly back to his feet.

Strides looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Strides is looking to work some ground and pound but punch has wrist control.

punch scrambles and gets back to his feet.
punch ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Strides tries to clinch up but punch circles away and keeps his distance.
Strides has a takedown stuffed.

punch decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
punch wants to stand up but Strides has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Strides keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Strides is looking to improve his position.
punch working Strides over with strikes.
Strides is trying to maintain the position but punch is very close to passing his half guard.
Strides is staying active underneath punch, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
punch keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Strides wants to improve his position but punch is controlling well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
punch has his takedown stuffed

and Strides decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in punch's guard.
punch keeping full guard, as Strides tries to pass.
punch wants to sweep but no luck.
Strides being controlled here momentarily.
Strides wants to control from the top but punch keeps moving.
punch wants to stand and escape but Strides is having none of it.
Strides wants to stand but punch has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Strides looks gassed!
punch wants to stand but Strides is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
punch controlling the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
punch throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Strides counters with a nice double leg into guard.
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!
punch can't keep his opponent in guard - Strides advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Strides wants to control but punch is keeping him busy.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Strides connects with a nice short shot to punch's temple.
punch is looking to control Strides's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can punch avoid being mounted?
Strides not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Strides prevents punch from improving his position.
Strides trying to mount his opponent but punch defends it.
Strides landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
punch is staying active underneath Strides, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
punch connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Strides shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with punch but punch pushes him off and we're back to square one.
rocky punch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ethan Strides.
punch throws a combination. Strides tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by punch!

punch fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Strides sprawls well initially but punch persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Strides is not content to let punch control the position.
punch trying to control the pace.
Strides is pressing down on punch's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
punch trying to control but Strides is working from the bottom.
Strides wants to stand and escape but punch is having none of it.

Strides is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
punch would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Strides had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. punch is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Strides Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take punch's back instead.
punch rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
punch is trying to stand back up but Strides is controlling him
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ethan Strides dominated that round.
That's time! punch's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Strides feints and as punch raises his hands in defense, Strides changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Strides has gone for a leg lock! punch slips out almost immediately though and dives into Strides's guard.

Strides is looking for a triangle but punch pushes his legs off easily.
punch wants to stand but Strides has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

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

Strides tries to keep at a distance but punch has taken the fight into the clinch.
punch stalling in the clinch but Strides improves position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Strides connects with a knee to the head.
Strides prevents the takedown attempt.
Strides throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but punch blocks it with crossed arms.
Strides letting punch take a breather here.
Strides with an attempt at a knee that misses.
punch is looking to control Strides's arms but Strides gets an underhook and turns him. Now punch has his back to the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
punch misses with the head strike.
Strides lands a knee to the head.
Strides throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but punch blocks it with crossed arms.
Strides misses with a knee strike.
Strides misses with a knee strike.
Strides with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
punch takes a knee right on the jaw!
Strides connects with a knee to the head.
Strides with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
punch wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Strides misses with a knee to the head.
punch tries for a takedown but Strides manages to get underhooks.
Strides lands a knee to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from punch.
Strides tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Strides looking to throw knees to the head but punch is blocking nicely.
Strides throws a knee to the head but misses.
punch misses with a shot to the kidneys.
punch is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Strides throws a knee to the head but misses.
Strides tries a knee to the head but punch blocks it.
punch lands with a right to the head.
Strides landing knees to the head.
Strides tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
punch doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
punch drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Strides gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for rocky punch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A knee to the head by Strides.
Strides tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Strides throws a knee to the head but misses.
Strides throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but punch blocks it with crossed arms.
punch's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
punch takes a knee right on the jaw!
Strides looking to throw knees to the head but punch is blocking nicely.
punch lands a right hand.
punch lands a body punch.
punch takes a knee right on the jaw!
punch tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Strides landing knees to the head.
punch has Strides pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Strides manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Strides throws a knee to the head but misses.
Strides throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but punch blocks it with crossed arms.
Strides scores with a knee to the head.
Strides misses with a knee to the head.
Strides with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Strides throws a knee to the head but misses.
punch can't get the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strides using the Thai plumb to throw knees but punch has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Strides tries a knee to the head but punch blocks it.
Strides with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Strides with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Strides tries to land a knee to the head but punch blocks with his arms.
punch taking a breather.
punch wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Strides with an attempt at a knee that misses.
punch tries to stall but Strides uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Strides lands a knee to the head.
Strides throws a knee to the head but misses.
punch taking a breather.
Strides throws a knee to the head but misses.
punch stalling in the clinch.
punch wants to break the clinch but can't.
Strides throws a knee to the head but misses.
Strides tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

punch pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
punch gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Strides counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Strides wants to control from the top but punch keeps moving.

punch wriggles free and stands up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

punch gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
punch keeping moving, preventing Strides from controlling successfully.

Strides thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Ethan Strides has got the better of the ground game so far.

punch looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
punch knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Strides on the ground.

Strides thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Strides tries to free his leg and advance position but punch is retaining full guard.
Strides trying to control the position from guard on top but punch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ethan Strides showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Strides takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
rocky punch is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
punch throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
punch closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Strides shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says punch as he avoids it easily.
A punch lands to the side of Strides 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Strides shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with punch but punch pushes him off and we're back to square one.
No luck for punch with that takedown attempt.
Strides takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
punch throws a low kick, looking for Strides's leg but Strides calmly moves out of range.
Strides on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

punch moves into range and clinches up with Strides.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
punch lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as punch takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
punch wants to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strides stops a takedown attempt from punch.
Strides throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but punch blocks it with crossed arms.
punch is working for takedown but Strides is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for rocky punch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Strides misses with a knee strike.
Strides connects with a knee to the head.
punch wants to break the clinch but can't.
Strides lands a knee to the head.

punch successfully pulls guard.
Strides won't allow punch to get back to his feet.
Strides stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. punch swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Strides drops back looking for a leg! punch is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and punch manages to kick Strides off! Strides jumps back into punch's guard.
Strides scoring with punches to the head and body.
Strides trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Strides trying to control the position from guard on top but punch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
punch is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
punch stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Strides drives through and clinches with punch against the cage.
punch drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Strides gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Strides throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but punch blocks it with crossed arms.
Strides throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but punch blocks it with crossed arms.
punch is trying to break the clinch but Strides has him pressed against the cage.
Strides throws a knee to the head but misses.
punch looking to stall.
Strides blocks an uppercut.
Strides tries to land a knee to the head but punch blocks with his arms.
punch is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Strides is keeping busy.
Strides tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strides scores with a knee to the head.
Ethan Strides is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Strides using the Thai plumb to throw knees but punch has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
punch lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Strides backwards.
punch is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
punch can't break the clinch.
Strides tries to land a knee to the head but punch blocks with his arms.
punch tries for a takedown but Strides manages to get underhooks.
punch wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
punch is working for takedown but Strides is calmly controlling the position for now.
punch changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Strides fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Strides misses with a takedown
and punch counters with a series of strikes. Strides will be more careful next time no doubt.

Strides shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Strides showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
punch is looking to stand up but Strides isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
punch working a defensive guard here.
rocky punch has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
punch being controlled here, momentarily.

punch is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

punch is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
punch can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Strides controls the pace.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ethan Strides.
I've got Strides winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Roberts scores the fight 27:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ethan Strides!