PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tree Hugger (ranked 5809 p4p, 437 weight class) and Frank Morrison (ranked 5182 p4p, 416 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Morrison's choice of entrance music: March. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hugger
vs
Morrison

174 cm
25
156 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tree Hugger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Frank Morrison!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Peter Branson and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hugger throws a leg kick but Morrison checks it.
Morrison checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Hugger is looking to chop away at Morrison's legs.

Hugger closes the distance and clinches.
Hugger makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Morrison wants to take the fight to the mat but Hugger manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Hugger lands a right hand that snaps the head of Morrison backwards.
Morrison dodges an elbow strike from Hugger.
Hugger lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Morrison backwards.
Hugger lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Morrison wants to take the fight to the mat but Hugger manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Hugger breaks the clinch.
Hugger misses with a double jab.
Hugger throws a nice looking combination but Morrison bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Hugger moves into range and clinches up with Morrison.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hugger pressing his opponent against the cage.
Hugger stops a takedown attempt from Morrison.
Tree Hugger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Morrison.
Hugger lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hugger.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hugger breaks from the clinch.
Morrison takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Hugger closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Hugger throws a leg kick but Morrison sees it coming and checks it nicely.

Hugger drives through and clinches with Morrison against the cage.
Morrison drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hugger gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hugger gets through Morrison's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Hugger breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hugger rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Morrison moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A little jabbing left from Morrison on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Morrison takes one on the button.

Morrison tries to keep at a distance but Hugger has taken the fight into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Morrison has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hugger is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hugger is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Hugger scores with a nice hook to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Hugger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hugger scores with a shoulder strike.
Hugger softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Morrison is rocked!
Morrison tries to score a body lock takedown but Hugger shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Morrison is still on wobbly legs! Can Hugger finish him?
Hugger is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Morrison avoids a wild elbow strike from Hugger.
Morrison seems to have recovered his senses.
Morrison fails to pull the fight into his guard.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hugger.
Morrison is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hugger pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Morrison looks winded!

Hugger breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hugger ducks under a wild hook from Morrison.
A right-left combo lands from Hugger.
Hugger looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
It seemed like Morrison was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Morrison shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hugger lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Morrison circles away quickly and effectively.
Tree Hugger is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Morrison slips a jab and a cross from Hugger.
Hugger works the jab nicely.
Hugger connects with a body shot.

Hugger clinches up with Morrison and pushes him back against the cage.
Morrison drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hugger pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Hugger.
Hugger misses with a two punch combination.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Morrison! But no joy.

Morrison dives in and scores a takedown into Hugger's guard.
Morrison distracts Hugger with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Morrison working some strikes from top position.
Morrison advances position into side control!
Morrison wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hugger keeps working.
Hugger pushes Morrison away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Morrison gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Morrison trying to control the position but Hugger is working away.
Hugger is pushing Morrison's head away, looking to escape. Morrison manages to hold on to the position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morrison lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Morrison grinds an elbow into Hugger's temple.
Hugger takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Hugger knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Morrison on the ground.
Morrison working the body and head with strikes.
Morrison wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hugger keeps working.
Morrison has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Morrison lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Morrison scoring with punches from side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Morrison cracks Hugger with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Morrison is chipping away with strikes.
Morrison cracks Hugger with a big elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hugger has Morrison up against the cage in a clinch.

Hugger breaks from the clinch.
Hugger fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tree Hugger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hugger misses with a series of wild punches.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Morrison! But no joy.
Hugger throws a right and a left that Morrison avoids nicely.
Morrison looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Tree Hugger is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Morrison walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nice cross by Hugger.
Hugger throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Hugger has closed the distance and engaged Morrison in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hugger's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hugger rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Morrison moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Donk. Hugger catches Morrison right on the button with a cross.
Hugger misses with a few strikes there.
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!
Hugger smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hugger has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hugger stalling the fight.
Hugger taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Hugger is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Hugger working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Morrison jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hugger walks away with a smile on his face. Morrison gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Hugger clinches up against the cage.
Morrison drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hugger pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tree Hugger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Morrison.

Hugger has taken the fight to the clinch.
Morrison is looking to take this one to the mat.
Hugger stalling.
Hugger is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Morrison drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Hugger breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morrison tries to clinch up.
Hugger connects with the punch.

Hugger gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Morrison goes for a takedown attempt but Hugger pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hugger misses with a double jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hugger is looking to score with low kicks.
Morrison displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hugger throws out the jab.
Morrison looks like he wants to counter punch here.
An inside leg kick from Hugger misses.
Hugger looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Morrison! But no joy.

Morrison darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Morrison is nestled in close to Hugger, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hugger has hold of Morrison's hands but Morrison slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Hugger on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morrison looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hugger with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Morrison wants to control but Hugger is keeping him busy.
Hugger wants to get back to his feet.
Frank Morrison has got the better of the ground game so far.
Morrison slips a nice elbow through Hugger's hands, connecting with Hugger's forehead.
Hugger looks like he's trying to stand up.
Morrison moves nicely into side control.
Morrison creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Morrison working the head with strikes.
Hugger taking punishment in the form of punches.
Morrison in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hugger is pushing Morrison's head away, looking to escape. Morrison manages to hold on to the position though.
Check out the look on Morrison's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Hugger taking punishment in the form of punches.
Hugger is not content to let Morrison control the position.
Hugger is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Morrison working the ground and pound.
Morrison lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Hugger is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Morrison is controlling him well.
Morrison working the head and body with strikes.
Hugger is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tree Hugger dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Hugger avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Morrison dives in and grabs Hugger's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hugger pushes down on Morrison's head and hops out.
Hugger will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hugger.
Hugger looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hugger looks to land a combination but Morrison avoids it well.
Hugger throws a series of strikes that have Morrison backpedaling.
Hugger works the jab nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hugger has closed the distance and engaged Morrison in a clinch.
Morrison is working for takedown but Hugger is calmly controlling the position for now.

Hugger pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Hugger moves into range and clinches up with Morrison.
Morrison is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Tree Hugger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Morrison.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morrison looking for a takedown.
Morrison jumps guard but Hugger turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Hugger manages to break the clinch.
Morrison walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Morrison takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Hugger throws a right hand that Morrison ducks under and follows up with a left that Morrison also avoids with ease.

Morrison gets tackled into the cage by Hugger. Hugger maintains the clinch.
Hugger lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Morrison changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hugger fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Morrison avoids a punch combination nicely.
Morrison looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hugger catches Morrison with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Morrison takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Morrison takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hugger throws a low kick but it's checked well by Morrison.
It seemed like Morrison was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Morrison drops his hands momentarily and Hugger takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Morrison looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Morrison is looking to clinch but Hugger is avoiding it.
Hugger getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hugger dips to his left and cracks Morrison with an uppercut!
Hugger tries a low kick but Morrison avoids it.
A little jabbing left from Morrison on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Hugger is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Morrison can do to turn this around?
Hugger misses with a series of wild punches.
Morrison looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hugger tried to score with a low kick but Morrison checks it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Morrison! But no joy.

Morrison darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Hugger is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Morrison scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morrison lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Morrison wants to control but Hugger is keeping him busy.
Hugger wants to get back to his feet.
Morrison lands with a punch from half guard.
Morrison working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Hugger wants to get back to his feet.
Hugger scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Morrison manages to mount him!
Morrison raining down hammerfists from mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morrison landing shots from mount.
Hugger wants to get back to his feet.
Morrison lands a couple of good shots and Hugger has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Morrison is landing with strikes from the back.
Hugger grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Morrison loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Hugger hold on?

Hugger is rocked!
Morrison gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Oh Hugger is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hugger covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Morrison is punishing Hugger with strikes - can he finish him?!
Frank Morrison has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Morrison slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Tree Hugger is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Morrison lands shots from the back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tree Hugger showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hugger, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tree Hugger!