PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Chris Nettles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darryl Crenshaw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Nettles
vs
Crenshaw

175 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 Helsinki, Chris Nettles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Darryl Crenshaw!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nettles misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Crenshaw shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Nettles tries to hold on but Crenshaw postures up.
Nettles is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Crenshaw is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Crenshaw with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Nettles tries to hold on but Crenshaw postures up.
Crenshaw looking to control and managing it successfully.
Nettles tries to lock up and control but Crenshaw gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crenshaw is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Crenshaw putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Nettles regains half guard.
Nettles is trying to get back to full guard.
Crenshaw not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Nettles wants to control but Crenshaw is keeping busy.
Crenshaw thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Nettles's head.
Crenshaw wants to stand up but Nettles has a hold of him and won't allow it.

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.
Nettles has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Crenshaw is working away from the top position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nettles is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Crenshaw's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Crenshaw's back!
Nettles has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Crenshaw's body.
Crenshaw rolls, trying to escape but Nettles keeps control of the position.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nettles wants to control but Crenshaw is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

Nettles is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Crenshaw knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Crenshaw for a finish.

Nettles looking to break Crenshaw's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Crenshaw remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Nettles will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Nettles doesn't have the hooks in and Crenshaw manages to turn into his guard.
Crenshaw tries to free his leg and advance position but Nettles is retaining full guard.
Crenshaw is looking to stand up but Nettles won't let him.

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

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.
Nettles trying to control the position from guard on top but Crenshaw is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nettles advances to half guard.

Nettles seems to be looking for submissions.
Nettles moves into side control, avoiding the strikes from Crenshaw.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Crenshaw struggling a bit here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Chris Nettles will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Crenshaw fails with the takedown.
Crenshaw with a lazy takedown attempt

and Nettles counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Nettles.
Crenshaw can't get the takedown.
Chris Nettles has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darryl Crenshaw.
Nettles has Crenshaw pressed against the cage.
Nettles is pressed up against the cage. Crenshaw has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nettles down to the mat. Nettles avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Nettles clinches with his opponent.
Crenshaw is trying to drag Nettles to the mat but Nettles just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Crenshaw prevents a takedown attempt there.
Crenshaw is pressed up against the cage. Nettles has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Crenshaw down to the mat. Crenshaw avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Crenshaw drives through and clinches with Nettles against the cage.

Nettles breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nettles throws the kick towards the body but Crenshaw avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crenshaw throws a head kick that misses.
Crenshaw with a poor takedown

and Nettles counters by clinching up.

Nettles pulls guard successfully.

Crenshaw gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Nettles fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nettles fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nice takedown defense from Nettles. No joy for Crenshaw on that attempt.
Crenshaw is breathing heavily.

Nettles moves into the clinch.

Nettles breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nettles lands the left hand.
Crenshaw looks to land a right hand but Nettles moved out of range.
Nettles shoots and misses
and Crenshaw counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Crenshaw stuffs the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crenshaw wants to clinch but Nettles slips to the side

and Nettles counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Crenshaw!
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!
Crenshaw is trying desperately to improve position.
Crenshaw tries to hold on but Nettles postures up.
Crenshaw is wriggling around trying to escape.
A nice elbow there by Nettles.
Nettles looking to control but Crenshaw is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Nettles manages to capitalize on a mistake by Crenshaw to take his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nettles not allowing Crenshaw to control his hands.
Nettles is looking to control Crenshaw but Crenshaw is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Nettles is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Crenshaw wants to control his opponent's hands but Nettles gets his hands free.
You can see the frustration on Crenshaw's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Nettles doesn't have the hooks in and Crenshaw manages to turn into his guard.
Crenshaw preventing the sweep.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Crenshaw tries a head kick but it misses.
Crenshaw shoots in and drives through. Nettles sprawls well.
Nettles shoots in but no luck this time.
Nettles misses with a takedown attempt - Crenshaw sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Nettles has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nettles misses with a knee strike.
Crenshaw has a couple of punches blocked by Nettles.
Nettles has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Crenshaw avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Crenshaw can't find room to land a body shot as Nettles controls the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Nettles dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Crenshaw wants to clinch

and Nettles moves into the clinch.
Nettles jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Crenshaw walks away with a smile on his face. Nettles gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Crenshaw avoids the head kick by Nettles.
Crenshaw shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Nettles but Nettles pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Crenshaw shoots in but no luck this time.
Crenshaw shoots in for a takedown but Nettles shows good takedown defense.
Chris Nettles has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darryl Crenshaw.
Crenshaw fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nettles lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nettles has a takedown stuffed.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Crenshaw takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nettles fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Crenshaw tries to keep at a distance but Nettles has taken the fight into the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Crenshaw tries to pull guard but Nettles holds him up against the cage and eventually Crenshaw drops back down to his feet.
Crenshaw tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Nettles just stands there and leans against the cage.
Crenshaw drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Nettles gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Nettles drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Crenshaw gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Nettles's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Nettles.
The fighters circling - Crenshaw throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice takedown defense from Nettles. No joy for Crenshaw on that attempt.
Nettles throws a sloppy head kick and Crenshaw moves out of range easily.
Crenshaw throws a head kick that misses

and Nettles holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Crenshaw jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Nettles walks away with a smile on his face. Crenshaw gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Crenshaw keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Crenshaw looks for the body kick but Nettles saw that one coming.
Nettles misses with the combination.
Nettles shoots in but no luck this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nettles tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Nettles moves into the clinch.
Nettles tries for a takedown. No joy.
Crenshaw goes for a takedown attempt but Nettles pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nettles fails to land the takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Nettles. No joy for Crenshaw on that attempt.
Chris Nettles is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Crenshaw scores with a jab to the jaw.
Crenshaw shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nettles as he jumps to the side.
Crenshaw tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crenshaw shoots in and drives through. Nettles sprawls well.
Nettles shoots for a takedown but Crenshaw saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Crenshaw looks for a takedown but Nettles sprawls well.

Nettles rushes Crenshaw and presses him up against the cage.

Nettles manages to break the clinch.
Crenshaw darts in trying to clinch

and Nettles moves into the clinch.
Nettles lands a nice uppercut.
Crenshaw tries to pull guard but Nettles holds him up against the cage and eventually Crenshaw drops back down to his feet.
Darryl Crenshaw has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Chris Nettles is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nettles tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Crenshaw smiles and moves away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris Nettles showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Nettles has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Nettles!