Warriors XXIII.5 PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Drew Hope (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Hunt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Drew Hope has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hope
vs
Hunt

180 cm
21
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
156 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Syndicate Drugs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Drew Hope!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mike Hunt!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, John Mangel and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by Hunt or perhaps it was just good defense by Hope which made him look bad.
Hunt shoots for a double leg takedown but Hope sprawls well. He's pushed Hunt's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Hope takes the fight into the clinch.
Hope is working for takedown but Hunt is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hunt tries for a takedown but Hope manages to get underhooks.
Drew Hope has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Hunt.
Hunt drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hope gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Hope escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hunt shoots in looking for a takedown. Hope tries to sprawl out of it but Hunt keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hope manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hunt closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hope circles away.
Hunt shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hope as he avoids it easily.
Hunt looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hope is fending him off so far but Hunt persists. Nope, Hope circles away and we're back to standing.
Hunt looks gassed!
Hunt has a takedown stuffed.

Hope has managed to clinch.

Hope turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Hope is putting a hurting on Hunt here, landing some big shots from side control.
Hope lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Hunt down.

Hope decides to stand back up. Hope steps back and let's Hunt get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hope's waist but Hope gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hunt off to one side.

Hope feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Hope slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Hope trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hunt's guard.
Hope wants to control from the top but Hunt keeps moving.

Hunt has his foot on Hope's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hope works his way back into a safe position though.
Hope is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Hunt keeping moving, preventing Hope from controlling successfully.
Hope is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hope tries to stand but Hunt is controlling from the bottom.
Hunt trying to strike off his back.

Hunt is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hunt trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Hope controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Hunt has his feet on Hope's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
A right-left combo lands from Hope.
An inside leg kick from Hunt misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hope fails with an attempt to clinch.

Hope has Hunt up against the cage in a clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Hope.

Hope escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hunt fails with the takedown

and Hope counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hope.
Hunt gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hope.
Hunt drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hope lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hope taking a breather.

Hope wants the takedown. Hunt is fighting it off but Hope persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Hunt's guard against the cage.

Hunt working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hope doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hope manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Hunt looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hope controlling from the top position.
Hope trying to control but Hunt is working from the bottom.

Hunt looking for a guillotine here but Hope defends easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Hunt has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hope can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Drew Hope dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Hope gets a clinch.
Hope gets underhooks to prevent Hunt's takedown attempt.
Hunt trying to land knees to the body.
Hope drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hunt gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hope gets underhooks to prevent Hunt's takedown attempt.
Hunt takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hunt lands a nice elbow.

Hope has clasped his hands together around Hunt's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Hunt is looking to regain half guard here but Hope keeps moving and retains side control.
Hope wants to control but Hunt is keeping him busy.

Hope is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hunt is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Hope wants to stand but Hunt is controlling his arm.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
Hunt is looking to regain half guard here but Hope keeps moving and retains side control.
Hunt gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hunt looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

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

and Hope counters with a single leg into guard. Hunt didn't expect that.
Drew Hope has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Hunt.
Hope stays in close to Hunt's body and controls the position.

Hunt has his foot on Hope's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hope works his way back into a safe position though.

Hunt working for a triangle but Hope defends it easily.
Hope trying to control but Hunt is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hunt pushes a forearm under Hope's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Hope is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:36 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Mike Hunt!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
70%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mike Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Charles Bronson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bronson has chosen Devil On My Shoulder as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Charles Bronson enters the cage!

Jones
vs
Bronson

185 cm
19
187 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

186 cm
22
193 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mike Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Charles Bronson!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Bruno Hogan and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jones looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bronson is fending him off so far but Jones persists. Nope, Bronson circles away and we're back to standing.
Bronson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Jones.
Bronson moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Mike Jones has been cut.
Bronson lands with a nice combination. Jones backs away looking to recover.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Jones gets the takedown into side control.
Bronson wants to get back to his feet but Jones drags him back down.

Jones has an Americana. Bronson didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Jones is delighted and gyrates infront of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Jones hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Mike Jones!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
100%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Riley Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Guti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Riley Jackson has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Jackson
vs
Guti

225 cm
22
270 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

185 cm
20
220 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Riley Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dan Guti!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Summer Carpenter and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Guti swats away the attempt to clinch by Jackson.

Guti shoots in and bounces Jackson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Guti preventing the sweep.
Jackson looking to control.
Guti wants to pass the guard but Jackson is keeping the position.
Jackson seems keen to control Guti's posture.
Guti looking to pass the guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Guti forces his way into half guard.

Guti is working for a kimura here but Jackson manages to reverse the position and he's now in Guti's guard.
Jackson advances to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson is trying to control the action in half guard but Guti is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Guti is looking for a sweep. Jackson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Guti is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Jackson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Jackson's back!
Guti doesn't have the hooks in and Jackson manages to turn into his guard.

Guti throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Guti escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Jackson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Guti looks gassed!
Jackson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Guti is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Jackson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Jackson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Jackson works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Jackson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Jackson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Guti regains full guard. Nicely done.
Jackson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Guti looking for a guillotine here but Jackson defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson stopping the sweep attempt from Guti.
Jackson chips away with some ground and pound.
Jackson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Guti is looking for a triangle here but Jackson uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Jackson is working Guti over with some ground and pound from side control.
Guti is looking to regain half guard here but Jackson keeps moving and retains side control.
Guti is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Jackson's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Jackson stalling.
Jackson prevents Guti from improving his position.
Jackson stalling.
Guti works his way to full guard. Good work.
Jackson wants to control from the top but Guti keeps moving.

Guti had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Jackson is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Guti Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Jackson's back instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Guti dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Jackson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Jackson lands in his opponent's guard.

Guti looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Jackson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Jackson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Jackson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Jackson trying to control the position from guard on top but Guti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Guti manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Jackson trying to control but Guti postures up.

Guti is working for a submission of some sort.
Jackson is looking to control Guti's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Jackson avoid being mounted?
Jackson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Jackson tries to get out of the position.

Guti is trying to work for a kimura but Jackson is defending well.

Guti seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Jackson wants to get back to full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Guti shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Guti showed some decent athleticism there.
Jackson is looking for a sweep. Guti is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Jackson trying to control here.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Guti. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

Guti is looking for a kimura but Jackson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Guti to get the leverage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson trying to control here.

Guti is trying to work for a kimura but Jackson is defending well.

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

Guti is working for a submission of some sort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Guti is working for a submission of some sort.
Jackson manages to get to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jackson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Guti's guard.

Jackson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dan Guti will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Guti shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Guti was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Jackson can't escape the position.
Jackson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Guti is working for a guillotine from mount but Jackson frees his head quite easily.

Guti moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Jackson has worked his arm free - good work by Jackson!
Jackson tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Guti tries for a kimura but Jackson is defending well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guti advances to full mount.

Guti is working for a guillotine from mount but Jackson frees his head quite easily.
Jackson wants to hold on but Guti pushes him away.

Guti with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Guti prevents Jackson from getting the reversal.
Jackson sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Jackson gets full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Jackson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Jackson lands a nice shot to the head.
BOOM! Jackson connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Jackson scoring with strikes but Guti is staying in there.
Jackson scoring with strikes but Guti is staying in there.
Dan Guti has got the better of the ground game so far.
Guti tries to reverse the position but Jackson maintains control.
Jackson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Jackson lands a nice shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Guti is trying to escape the mount.

Jackson swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Guti is now in Jackson's guard. A big mistake from Jackson there, giving up the dominant position!
Guti advances position into side control!
Dan Guti is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Guti trying to control the position but Jackson is working away.
Jackson is looking to regain half guard here but Guti keeps moving and retains side control.
Jackson striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Jackson regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is refusing to be controlled, as Guti sits in half guard.
Jackson tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Guti shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Guti wants to pass the guard but Jackson is keeping the position.
Guti preventing the sweep.
Riley Jackson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Guti trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Jackson manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Guti looking to control.
Jackson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Guti tries to land a sweep but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan Guti comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Guti 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dan Guti!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
48%

Main event

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vaughn Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reico Vanlaque (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Reico Vanlaque enters the cage!

Taylor
vs
Vanlaque

153 cm
23
160 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

174 cm
22
155 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

No Shit Nutrition
ZSTAR

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Vaughn Taylor!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Reico Vanlaque!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Damien Edna and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vanlaque shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Vanlaque fails to land the takedown.
Vanlaque tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Taylor swivels and escapes.
Vaughn Taylor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Reico Vanlaque.
Vanlaque shoots in for a double leg but Taylor sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Vanlaque tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Taylor swivels and escapes.
Vanlaque fails to land the takedown.

Taylor closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Taylor lands in his opponent's guard.
Taylor pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vanlaque is keeping the position for now.

Taylor drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Taylor jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor advances to half guard.

Taylor moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Vanlaque.

Taylor tries for a kimura but Vanlaque is defending well.

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

Taylor is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Vanlaque is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Vanlaque tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Taylor wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Taylor looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Taylor tries for a kimura but Vanlaque is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor works to advance to full mount. Vanlaque defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

Taylor looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Taylor gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Taylor is breathing heavily.
Vanlaque doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Taylor counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Vanlaque!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vanlaque working to try and regain half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taylor really is built like a bowling ball. I wonder if he'd roll if you pushed him down a hill...

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Taylor looking for a guillotine from mount but Vanlaque is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vanlaque keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Taylor seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Vanlaque is holding on tight.
Vanlaque really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Taylor working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Taylor throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Vanlaque has his hands clasped together but Taylor breaks the hold and Vanlaque is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Taylor!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Vaughn Taylor!
Vaughn Taylor retains his lightweight title!