PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Amir Verdune (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stephen Connor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Verdune
vs
Connor

187 cm
22
203 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
215 lbs
1 - 1 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Amir Verdune!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Stephen Connor!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Ian Loll and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Verdune closes the distance and clinches.
Connor is working for takedown but Verdune is calmly controlling the position for now.
Verdune stalling.
Verdune lands a right hand.
Still in the clinch, Verdune scores with a nice short uppercut.
Connor fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Verdune softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Verdune working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Verdune is pressed up against the cage. Connor has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Verdune down to the mat. Verdune avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Amir Verdune has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stephen Connor.
Connor closes this distance looking for a takedown but Verdune circles away.
Verdune doesn't manage to clinch there - Connor circles away.
Verdune fails in his attempt to clinch.
Verdune rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Connor moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Connor tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Verdune smiles and moves away.
Verdune throws a nice looking combination but Connor bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Connor shoots for a takedown but Verdune saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Verdune moves into the clinch.
Connor tries to land a knee to the head but Verdune blocks with his arms.
Verdune lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Connor drops down looking for an ankle pick but Verdune pulls his leg out and moves away.
Verdune tries to clinch there but Connor circles away.

Verdune darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Verdune stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Connor to get to his feet.

Verdune has Connor up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verdune makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Connor tries to pull guard but Verdune won't allow it.
Connor tries to pull guard but Verdune won't allow it.
Connor looks gassed!
Verdune lands with a left to the head.
A shot in the inside from Verdune.
Verdune has Connor pressed against the cage.
A short right from Verdune on the inside.
Verdune scores with a shoulder strike.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Verdune takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Verdune scores with a shoulder strike.
Verdune lands a hook that snaps the head of Connor backwards.
Connor can't get the takedown.
Verdune lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Connor or not.
Verdune lands with a right to the head.
Verdune lands a right hand.
A shot in the inside from Verdune.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice left hand lands by Verdune.
Verdune lands with a left to the head.
Verdune gets through Connor's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Connor letting Verdune take a breather here.
Verdune lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Verdune pushes Connor back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Verdune lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Verdune lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Verdune manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Verdune makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verdune lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Connor backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Verdune.
Verdune lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Connor or not.
Connor letting Verdune take a breather here.
Connor takes a shot to the head.
Verdune is working Connor over against the cage.
Verdune working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Connor tries to pull guard but Verdune holds him up against the cage and eventually Connor drops back down to his feet.
Verdune scores with a nice hook to the head.
Connor jumps guard but Verdune stands there with Connor around his waist. Connor gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Verdune is leaning against Connor and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Verdune is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A short right from Verdune on the inside.
Connor looking for a takedown.
Verdune lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Connor.
Verdune lands with a short shot to the head.
Verdune lands a body shot.
The referee calls for Verdune to work.
A short right from Verdune on the inside.
Verdune lands a right hand.
A short body shot lands from Verdune as the two fighters clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Verdune lands with a right to the head.
Verdune scores with a shot to the side of Connor's head.
Verdune lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Verdune lands with a left to the head.
Connor jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Verdune walks away with a smile on his face. Connor gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Verdune rushes Connor and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Verdune gets through Connor's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Verdune lands a left hand that snaps the head of Connor backwards.
Verdune lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A shot in the inside from Verdune.
A short uppercut from Verdune.
Connor tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Verdune smiles and moves away.
Verdune fails in his attempt to clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Verdune!
Verdune scores with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amir Verdune dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Verdune tries to bum rush Connor with a series of wild strikes but Connor uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Connor doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Verdune counters by clinching up.
Connor tries to pull guard but Verdune holds him up against the cage and eventually Connor drops back down to his feet.
Verdune lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Verdune lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Connor backwards.
Verdune stops a takedown attempt from Connor.
Amir Verdune has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stephen Connor.
Verdune lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Verdune.
Verdune holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Connor goes for a takedown in the clinch but Verdune prevents it.
Connor tries to pull guard but Verdune won't allow it.
Verdune cracks Connor with a nice body shot.
Verdune scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Verdune is leaning against Connor and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Amir Verdune has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Verdune lands a left hand that snaps the head of Connor backwards.
Connor misses with a knee strike.
Verdune scores with a nice hook to the head.
Verdune prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Verdune works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Connor tries to pull guard but Verdune holds him up against the cage and eventually Connor drops back down to his feet.
Verdune lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Nice body punch from Verdune.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Verdune creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Verdune creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Verdune lands a body punch in the clinch.
Verdune lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Verdune is leaning against Connor and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Verdune lands a hook to the side of the head.
Verdune lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Verdune lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Verdune lands a hook to the side of the head.
Verdune lands a left hand.
Verdune lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Connor takes a shot to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Verdune.
Verdune lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Connor tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Verdune smiles and moves away.
Verdune throws a series of punches but Connor avoids them all with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Verdune. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Verdune.

Verdune fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Connor, pushing him back against the cage.
Verdune working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Verdune throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Connors head.
Connor fails to pull guard.
A short uppercut from Verdune.
Verdune works on Connor's body with a couple of short punches.
Connor letting Verdune take a breather here.
Verdune lands with a light punch inside.
Verdune lands a right hand.
Verdune gets through Connor's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Connor tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Verdune lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Connor tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Verdune just stands there and leans against the cage.
Verdune scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Verdune gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Connor.
Verdune lands a hook to the side of the head.
Verdune is working Connor over against the cage.
Connor wants a takedown.
Verdune lands with a short shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verdune has Connor pushed against the cage.
Verdune lands with a right to the head.
Connor tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Verdune smiles and moves away.
Connor takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Connor avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Amir Verdune seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Verdune moves into the clinch successfully.
Connor drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Verdune gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Verdune lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Verdune softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Connor jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Verdune walks away with a smile on his face. Connor gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
No joy there for Verdune, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Connor has his takedown stuffed

so Verdune counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Verdune is stalling in the full guard.
Verdune stopping the sweep attempt from Connor.

Connor working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Verdune doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Verdune manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Verdune stays in close to Connor's body and controls the position.
Verdune seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Connor for as long as he can get away with.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amir Verdune dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Connor misses with a takedown

and Verdune counters by clinching up.
Connor tries to pull guard but Verdune holds him up against the cage and eventually Connor drops back down to his feet.
Verdune is pressed up against the cage. Connor has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Verdune down to the mat. Verdune avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Amir Verdune has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stephen Connor.
Verdune uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Verdune pushes Connor up against the cage in a clinch.
Verdune lands a right hand that snaps the head of Connor backwards.
Verdune lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Connor has Verdune pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Verdune manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Verdune scores with a shoulder strike.
Verdune lands a left hand that snaps the head of Connor backwards.
Verdune lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Connor backwards.
Verdune lands with a left to the head.
Verdune lands an uppercut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Verdune pushes Connor back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Verdune cracks Connor with a nice body shot.
A short right from Verdune.
Verdune scores with a hook to the body.
Verdune lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Connor or not.
Verdune working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verdune scores with a nice hook to the head.
Verdune scores with a shoulder strike.
Verdune is pushing Connor up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Verdune is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Connor can do to turn this around?
A quick uppercut on the inside from Verdune.
Connor is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Verdune gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Connor tries to pull guard but Verdune holds him up against the cage and eventually Connor drops back down to his feet.
A right handed body shot lands from Verdune.
A short right from Verdune.
Verdune lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Connor wants a takedown.
Verdune leaning against his opponent.
Verdune lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Connor backwards.
Connor fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Verdune throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Connors head.
Connor fails to pull guard.
Verdune is struggling to control the position.
Connor jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Verdune walks away with a smile on his face. Connor gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Connor circles away from the clinch attempt.

Connor moves into range and clinches up with Verdune.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Connor fails to pull guard.
Verdune lands with a left to the head.
Connor fails to pull guard.
Verdune lands with a right to the head.
Connor wants a takedown but no success here.
The is referee keeping an eye on Verdune - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Connor tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Verdune smiles and moves away.
Connor fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Connor shoots and misses

and Verdune counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Verdune throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Verdune lands a hook to the side of the head.
Verdune lands with a left to the head.
Connor has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Verdune avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Verdune is working Connor over against the cage.
Connor tries to pull guard but Verdune holds him up against the cage and eventually Connor drops back down to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verdune pushes Connor back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Verdune lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Verdune lands a body shot.
Verdune lands a nice uppercut.
Verdune lands with a left to the head.
Verdune lands with a left to the head.
Connor is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Verdune lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Verdune digs a right hand underneath Connor's ribcage. Connor let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Verdune softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Verdune scores with a hook to the body.
A short right from Verdune on the inside.
Verdune prevents a takedown attempt there.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Connor looking for a takedown.
Connor jumps guard but Verdune stands there with Connor around his waist. Connor gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Verdune working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Connor jumps guard but Verdune stands there with Connor around his waist. Connor gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Verdune scores with a nice hook to the head.
Verdune has Connor pressed against the cage.
A short left from Verdune.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Connor is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Verdune pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A hook to the body from Verdune.
Connor tries to pull guard but Verdune holds him up against the cage and eventually Connor drops back down to his feet.
Connor tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Verdune just stands there and leans against the cage.
A short right from Verdune on the inside.
Verdune lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Connor's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short uppercut from Verdune.
Verdune lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Verdune lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Connor fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A right hook to the body lands for Verdune.
Verdune is working Connor over against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Verdune.
Connor using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Verdune has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Verdune lands a left hand that snaps the head of Connor backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Verdune.
Verdune working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Connor can't get the takedown.
Connor's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Verdune gets through Connor's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A hook to the body from Verdune.
Connor's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Verdune lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Stephen Connor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Amir Verdune is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Verdune.
Connor looking to throw knees to the head but Verdune is blocking nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Amir Verdune showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Verdune 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:25
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 30:26
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Amir Verdune!