PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Howie Finkelman (ranked 3983 p4p, 3084 weight class) and Clin Cartwright (ranked 374 p4p, 304 weight class). Cartwright has chosen Cirice as his entrance music. On his way into the cage it seems that Howie Finkelman has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Howie Finkelman seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Finkelman
vs
Cartwright

174 cm
21
152
2 - 4 - 0

171 cm
23
158
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Fast

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Howie Finkelman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Clin Cartwright!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Eddie Farnsworth and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Finkelman misses with a straight right.
Finkelman cracks Cartwright with a good jab.
Cartwright looks to throw the jab but Finkelman is out of range.
Cartwright shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Finkelman sprawls well. Finkelman wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cartwright gets slowly back to his feet.
Finkelman blocks a head kick by Cartwright.
Decent striking displayed by Finkelman there.
Cartwright misses with the combination.
Finkelman scores with a jab.
Cartwright shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Finkelman as he jumps to the side.
Finkelman cracks Cartwright with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A looping hook to the body misses from Finkelman. Cartwright does a little dance to reset his feet.
Finkelman throws out a powerful jab.

Cartwright is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cartwright misses with a body kick.
Cartwright is still on wobbly legs! Can Finkelman finish him?
Finkelman throws the left hand but Cartwright avoids the punch easily.
Cartwright seems to have recovered his senses.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finkelman is looking to escape.
Cartwright thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Cartwright is pressing down on Finkelman's thigh, looking to free his foot. Finkelman is holding on for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cartwright slows the pace down in half guard.
Cartwright winds up and cracks Finkelman with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Cartwright missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Cartwright is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Cartwright missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finkelman is trying to stand up here but Cartwright is controlling him well.
We've been hearing good reports from Finkelman's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Cartwright 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.
Finkelman is staying active underneath Cartwright, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Finkelman avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cartwright.
Cartwright moves nicely into side control.
Cartwright is working Finkelman over with some ground and pound from side control.

Cartwright tries for a kimura but Finkelman is defending well.

Cartwright goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Finkelman rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Cartwright's guard! Nice work there by Finkelman!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Cartwright is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Cartwright looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Finkelman has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Finkelman avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Cartwright has his foot on Finkelman's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Finkelman works his way back into a safe position though.
Finkelman wants to control from the top but Cartwright keeps moving.
Finkelman would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Cartwright wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Finkelman tries to stand but Cartwright is controlling from the bottom.

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.

Cartwright is looking for a triangle but Finkelman pushes his legs off easily.
Cartwright controls Finkelman momentarily but Finkelman frees himself.
Finkelman is looking to stand up but Cartwright won't let him.
Finkelman missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Cartwright had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Finkelman defends it easily.

Finkelman gets to his feet. Cartwright looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Cartwright uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Finkelman.
Finkelman swings for the body but Cartwright moves out of range.

Cartwright darts in and clinches Finkelman up against the cage.
Cartwright tries to score a body lock takedown but Finkelman shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Howie Finkelman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Clin Cartwright.
Finkelman is trying to break the clinch but Cartwright is controlling him.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Howie Finkelman will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Cartwright gets a takedown into half guard.
Finkelman blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cartwright.
Finkelman misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Cartwright not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Finkelman wants to get back to his feet.
Cartwright throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Finkelman to regain full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cartwright trying to control but Finkelman is working from the bottom.
Cartwright in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cartwright postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cartwright throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Finkelman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cartwright working some strikes from top position.

Cartwright postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Finkelman is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Cartwright, into his guard.

Finkelman wants to stand but Cartwright is controlling his posture from full guard.
Cartwright trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Cartwright throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Finkelman escapes and throws Cartwright's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Finkelman stands up.
Cartwright throws a right hand that Finkelman ducks under and follows up with a left that Finkelman also avoids with ease.
Cartwright throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Howie Finkelman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cartwright blocks a jab.

Finkelman gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Clin Cartwright has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cartwright stops Finkelman from standing up.
Cartwright trying to control the position from guard on top but Finkelman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cartwright landing with the ground and pound.
Cartwright trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Finkelman manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Finkelman tries to stand but Cartwright is controlling from the bottom.
Cartwright has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Cartwright throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cartwright had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Finkelman defends it easily.

Cartwright is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Finkelman trying to control the position from guard on top but Cartwright is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Cartwright looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Cartwright working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Finkelman.
Cartwright looking for a sweep. Not yet Cartwright, not yet.
Finkelman tries to stand but Cartwright is controlling from the bottom.

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

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.
Finkelman pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cartwright is keeping the position for now.
Finkelman wants to stand but Cartwright is controlling his posture from full guard.

Cartwright is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Cartwright is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Finkelman defends well.

Cartwright had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Finkelman defends it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cartwright has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Finkelman has passed into side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Clin Cartwright will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

A nice leg kick from Finkelman, right into the meat of the thigh.
Finkelman darts in looking for a takedown but Cartwright gets double underhooks and turns Finkelman into the cage.
Cartwright jumps guard but Finkelman stands there with Cartwright around his waist. Cartwright gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Cartwright pulls Finkelman into guard.

Cartwright escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Finkelman gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Cartwright tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Finkelman gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Cartwright misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cartwright slips a straight right by Finkelman.
Cartwright moves out of range of the body kick.

Cartwright shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Finkelman napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Cartwright cracks Finkelman with a big right hand but Finkelman just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Finkelman is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cartwright throws a strike aimed at the side of Finkelman's head but Finkelman avoids it well.
Finkelman avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Cartwright.
Cartwright in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Cartwright lands an elbow.
Cartwright landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Finkelman defending against the ground and pound.
Cartwright tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Finkelman is working to avoid the ground and pound but Cartwright connects with a decent elbow.
Finkelman tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Cartwright presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Cartwright working away from the top, dropping strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finkelman is bucking up trying to escape but Cartwright cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Finkelman taking shots to the head.
Cartwright sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Cartwright misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Cartwright in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

Finkelman is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Finkelman wants to try and get back to his feet.
Oh Finkelman is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Cartwright looking to control but Finkelman is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Cartwright unloading with bombs!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cartwright raining down shots from the mount!
Cartwright postures up and throws a couple of big shots that have Finkelman in real trouble here! The ref calls for Finkelman to improve his position which he doesn't do, so the referee has no choice but to end the fight due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Clin Cartwright!
Clin Cartwright thanked the fans post fight for their support.