Trials By Fire I PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kevin Bird (ranked 6047 p4p, 543 weight class) and Joe Beau (ranked 7896 p4p, 619 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bird
vs
Beau

190 cm
20
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
234 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Kevin Bird!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joe Beau!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, James Ackerman and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bird drives through with a takedown into guard.
Beau looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Bird 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.
Bird has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Bird is pushing down on Beau's leg trying to pass to half guard. Beau is fighting to maintain full guard but Bird has managed to sneak the leg through.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Beau is trying to control but can't.

Bird gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Bird closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Beau's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bird decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Bird 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.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Beau can do anything to dispel that myth.
Bird stays in close to Beau's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bird sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Beau's guard.
Bird not doing much here.
Bird sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Beau defending well though.
Bird passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Beau!
Bird looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Bird takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Bird working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Bird looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bird with a couple of short strikes.
We've been informed that Beau has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Bird controlling from mount.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Bird.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bird continues to hold on tight.
Bird landing strikes from the mount and Beau is in trouble!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kevin Bird dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bird closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Beau's guard.
Bird pushing down on Beau's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Bird not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Beau keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Bird moves nicely into side control.
Bird taking a breather here.
Beau is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beau is looking to reverse the position.
Beau is being controlled here.
Bird advances nicely into full mount.
Bird scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Beau?
Bird scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Bird tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bird lands a big elbow.
Bird raining down shots from the mount!
Bird controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Bird seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Beau for as long as he can get away with.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kevin Bird dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Bird looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Beau!
Beau tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Bird controls the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Beau takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bird has both hooks in and is working for a choke. Beau is in real trouble here. Bird gets an arm under the chin and tightens the submission attempt... is this the end? Yes, Beau is tapping out! Bird wins by rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:54 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Kevin Bird!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
35%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Guille Oost (ranked 5954 p4p, 564 weight class) and Arthur Shelby (ranked 6124 p4p, 570 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Oost
vs
Shelby

183 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Guille Oost!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Arthur Shelby!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Steven Brown and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice straight punches there by Shelby. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Shelby.

Oost moves into range and clinches up with Shelby.

Oost pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Oost takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Shelby swats away the attempt to clinch by Oost.
Shelby connects with a nice looking jab.
Oost moves forwards but Shelby connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Oost misses with a head kick.
Oost tries to clinch but Shelby moves out of range.
Oost takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A punch lands to the side of Oost 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Oost fails to land with a series of punches.
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!
Shelby lands a head shot.
Arthur Shelby seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shelby fails to land the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Shelby.
A shot to the liver by Shelby. Beautiful body shot.
Oost takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Shelby looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Shelby connects with a solid leg kick.
Oost fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Shelby avoids it really well and circles away.
Oost fails with an attempt to clinch.
Oost tries to clinch up.
Oost takes one on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shelby scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A shot to the liver by Shelby. Beautiful body shot.
Shelby is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Oost had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Oost is breathing heavily.
Oost drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Oost takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Oost misses with the combination.
As Oost backs off Shelby throws a huge counter combo but Oost manages to avoid it all.
Shelby scores with a crisp jab that stopped Oost in his tracks.
Oost takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Oost walks into a straight right hand from Shelby.
Oost drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Oost on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Shelby. Shelby obviously looking to wear him down.

Shelby throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Oost was covering up waiting for the punch and Shelby finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Shelby's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shelby lands a couple of digs.
Shelby lands a couple of elbows.
Oost can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Shelby controls the pace.
Oost is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Shelby's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Shelby throws a series of punches but Oost moves out of range.
Oost wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Oost walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Oost tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Shelby manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Oost has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Shelby finds it's way round the side to connect with Oost's head.
Oost walks into a straight right hand from Shelby.
Oost fails with an attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arthur Shelby dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Shelby throws a low kick but Oost moves out of range easily.
Shelby lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Oost checks a leg kick nicely.
Oost appears to be looking for a big counter.
Shelby scores with a hook.
Shelby with a jab.
Oost throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Oost takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Shelby digs a good body shot into Oost's ribs.
Shelby throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
It looked like Oost was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Jab, jab by Shelby - just one landing.

Oost is rocked!
Oost gets tagged by a hook that puts him to sleep! Shelby points and yells something to his unconcious foe before strutting off. Oost wakes up just in time to hear Shelby thank his coaches in the post fight interview.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:47 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Arthur Shelby!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
49%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Scott Kane (ranked 6186 p4p, 433 weight class) and Frank Stallone (ranked 6095 p4p, 432 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kane
vs
Stallone

180 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
23
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Juggernaut And Gladiators(90% Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Scott Kane!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Frank Stallone!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Colin Fotheringham and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stallone changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kane looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Stallone slows the pace down.
Kane knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Stallone on the ground.
Kane is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kane is letting Stallone control him for a moment.
Kane is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Stallone stands up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kane scores with a hook.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Stallone checks a leg kick.

Stallone gets the takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stallone slows the pace down.
Stallone wants to stand but Kane has his arm trapped.
Kane is pushing Stallone's head away, looking to escape. Stallone manages to hold on to the position though.
Stallone wants to stand but Kane is controlling his arm.
Kane is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Stallone is controlling him well.

Kane tries to escape back to his feet but Stallone has kept hold of him... Oh, now he's got Kane's back and is looking for the choke... Is it? Is it sunk in? YES! Kane is tapping! Stallone saw the opportunity and took it - ruthless!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:44 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Frank Stallone!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
53%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Khabib Nurmagoduv (ranked 5978 p4p, 532 weight class) and Padraig Pearse (ranked 6477 p4p, 548 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Nurmagoduv
vs
Pearse

186 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent knees
Determined

Juggernaut And Gladiators(90% Laundry)

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Khabib Nurmagoduv!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Padraig Pearse!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Chris Edwards and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pearse throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nurmagoduv's waist but Nurmagoduv gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pearse off to one side.
Pearse fails with the takedown.
Nurmagoduv appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Pearse fails to land the takedown.
Khabib Nurmagoduv has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Padraig Pearse.
Pearse closes the distance looking to clinch

and Nurmagoduv decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Pearse's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagoduv lands a couple of digs.
Nurmagoduv trying to stand up but can't free himself from Pearse's guard.
Nurmagoduv throws a big elbow that misses.
Nurmagoduv in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagoduv lands a couple of elbows.
Nurmagoduv stands up over Pearse, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nurmagoduv's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Nurmagoduv postures up in Pearse's guard and throws a big left but Pearse blocks it.
Nurmagoduv has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Pearse preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Pearse working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nurmagoduv.
Nurmagoduv scoring with some ground and pound.

Pearse is rocked!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nurmagoduv postures up in Pearse's guard and throws a big left but Pearse blocks it.
Nurmagoduv lands a couple of elbows.
Pearse is still in real trouble! Can Nurmagoduv finish him?
Nurmagoduv in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nurmagoduv scoring with punches to the head and body.
Pearse really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Nurmagoduv. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Pearse not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Nurmagoduv scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nurmagoduv accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nurmagoduv content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Nurmagoduv scoring with some ground and pound.
Nurmagoduv trying to control the position from guard on top but Pearse is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nurmagoduv with a nice head shot there.
Nurmagoduv throws a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nurmagoduv working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Nurmagoduv advances position into side control!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pearse takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Pearse is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Pearse takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Pearse tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Nurmagoduv wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagoduv lands a nice forearm strike.
Pearse looks winded!
Nurmagoduv lands some shots froms side control.
Nurmagoduv landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Nurmagoduv lands a big left to the face of Pearse, bouncing his head like a basketball. Another shot from Nurmagoduv and another - Pearse is out! Nurmagoduv stands up and salutes his fans, who are going crazy in the stands.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:32 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Khabib Nurmagoduv!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
42%

Undercard bout

Co-main event

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ted Cruz (ranked 4994 p4p, 241 weight class) and Michael Collins (ranked 5919 p4p, 272 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Cruz
vs
Collins

167 cm
25
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

NXGEN

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ted Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Michael Collins!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Steven Brown and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cruz is looking to take this one to the mat.

Collins escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Collins fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cruz, pushing him back against the cage.

Collins's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Collins rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cruz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cruz takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Collins looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cruz is fending him off so far but Collins persists. Nope, Cruz circles away and we're back to standing.

Collins moves into the clinch.
Collins is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Cruz jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Collins walks away with a smile on his face. Cruz gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Collins swinging wildly here.
Collins cracks a nice hook into Cruz's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like Michael Collins has been cut.
Collins keeps the fight on the outside.
Collins swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Collins throws a right and a left that Cruz avoids nicely.
Cruz was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Cruz avoids the body shot from Collins.
Cruz throws a series of punches but Collins avoids them all with ease.
A combination from Collins does no damage.

Collins takes the fight into the clinch.

Collins's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cruz throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Collins showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cruz.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Collins fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cruz, pushing him back against the cage.
Cruz is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Collins escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cruz misses with a few strikes there.
Collins looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cruz definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Cruz tries to clinch there but Collins circles away.
Collins throws a right and a left that Cruz avoids nicely.
Collins misses with a two punch combination.
As Collins looks to move away, Cruz throws a big counter combo but Collins just gets out of the way.
A left lands for Collins.
Collins rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cruz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Collins throws a nice looking combination but Cruz bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cruz connects with a crisp jab.
Cruz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Collins circles away quickly and effectively.
Collins lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Cruz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Collins.
Cruz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Collins.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Collins throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Cruz counters with a series of strikes. Collins will be more careful next time no doubt.
Collins looks winded!
Collins on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Collins missing with a left hand there. Cruz was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Collins doesn't manage to clinch there - Cruz circles away.
Cruz's corner calls for a 1-2. Cruz obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Collins. Those never looked like landing.
Cruz misses with a few strikes there.
Collins tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cruz swivels and escapes.
Ted Cruz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Collins.
Cruz lands a glancing blow to the side of Collins's head.

Collins is rocked!
Collins takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Collins is still on wobbly legs! Can Cruz finish him?
Collins takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cruz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cruz scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Cruz takes one to the side of the head.
Cruz rushes Collins and starts throwing punches like they are going out of style! Collins is up against the cage and has nowhere to go. Cruz piles on the pressure and Collins crumples to the floor! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ted Cruz!