PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jo Backson (ranked 4360 p4p, 4423 weight class) and Benjamin Tennyson (ranked 449 p4p, 454 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.

Backson
vs
Tennyson

185 cm
18
195
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
21
193
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Inexperienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 Hilo, Jo Backson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Benjamin Tennyson!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, George Francis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Backson connects with a looping right hand.
Nice straight punches there by Backson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Backson.
Tennyson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Backson moves away.
It looked like Backson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Backson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Tennyson walks into a straight right hand from Backson.
Backson lands a nice shot that snaps Tennyson's head back.
Backson throws a right hand that Tennyson ducks under and follows up with a left that Tennyson also avoids with ease.
Backson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Backson moves out of range as Tennyson strikes.
Backson thuds his right hand into Tennyson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Backson connects with a nice looking jab.
Tennyson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Tennyson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Backson at a distance.
Tennyson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Backson swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Backson forces Tennyson back against the cage and clinches.
Backson lands a shoulder strike.

Tennyson gets control of Backson's arms and successfully pulls guard. Tennyson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tennyson keeping moving, preventing Backson from controlling successfully.
Backson tries to stand but Tennyson is controlling from the bottom.
Tennyson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Backson trying to control the position from guard on top but Tennyson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tennyson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tennyson keeping moving, preventing Backson from controlling successfully.
Backson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tennyson swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Backson closes the distance and pushes Tennyson back into the cage.
Backson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Backson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tennyson backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Backson.
Tennyson takes a shot to the head.
Backson scores with a shot to the side of Tennyson's head.
Backson lands with a light punch inside.
A nice left hand lands by Backson.
The referee is keeping an eye on Backson - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Tennyson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Backson to keep the fight standing.
Tennyson is looking to break free of the clinch but Backson has double underhooks.

Backson manages to break the clinch.

Backson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tennyson, pushing him back against the cage.
Backson will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Tennyson up against the cage.

Backson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backson works the jab nicely.
Backson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Tennyson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Backson is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Tennyson off and has taken his back!
A bit of a pause in the action here. Backson controlling the positon.
Backson missing with strikes from the back.
Backson not allowing Tennyson to control his hands.
Backson throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Backson 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.
Tennyson covering up well under a series of strikes from Backson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tennyson is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Backson.
Tennyson wants to escape the position.
Tennyson is trying to get back to his feet but Backson has full control of the position and if anything, Tennyson has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Backson working for the choke.

Backson is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Backson is looking to control Tennyson but Tennyson is wriggling around and keeping busy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jo Backson dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tennyson ducks right into an uppercut from Backson.
Backson lands a nice shot that snaps Tennyson's head back.
Tennyson is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Backson.
Tennyson shoots in and drives through. Backson sprawls well.
A head kick misses from Tennyson.
Tennyson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Tennyson takes one to the chin there.
Backson lands a jab to the head.
A jab lands there for Backson.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Backson fails to land with a series of punches.
Backson tests Tennyson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Tennyson walks into a straight right hand from Backson.
Backson jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Backson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tennyson can do to turn this around?
Backson moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Backson. That's going to slow Tennyson down.
Backson scores with a three punch combo!
A jab from Backson misses.
Backson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Tennyson defending well as Backson loads up on a big left hand.
Tennyson tries to clinch but Backson moves out of range.

Backson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tennyson looking to stall.
Backson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Backson taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Backson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Backson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Backson tries to bum rush Tennyson with a series of wild strikes but Tennyson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tennyson looks like he wants to counter punch here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Backson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tennyson at a distance.
Backson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Backson both land. Nice combination.
Backson throws a shot from downtown. Tennyson moves away and avoids it.
Tennyson only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Backson lands with an uppercut that bounces Tennyson off the cage and back into range.
Backson lands a jab-cross combination.
Tennyson throws a right hand that misses
enabling Backson to counter with a crisp jab.
Tennyson walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Backson lands an overhand right.
Jo Backson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Backson shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Tennyson eats them both and turns towards Backson to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Tennyson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Backson manages to avoid it.
Backson lands a head shot.
The fighters circle momentarily. Backson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Jo Backson is winning the standup battle so far.
Backson scores with a three punch combo!
Backson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Jo Backson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Backson lands a nice looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tennyson misses with a low kick.
Tennyson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Tennyson tries to move into range but Backson moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Backson cracks Tennyson with an open hand slap.
Tennyson tries to clinch but Backson is having none of it.
Backson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Backson scores with a nice right hand.
Tennyson on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Tennyson misses with a takedown
and Backson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tennyson is breathing heavily.
Tennyson throws a shot from downtown. Backson moves away and avoids it.
Backson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Backson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tennyson doesn't seem bothered though.

Backson takes the fight into the clinch.
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!
Backson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tennyson backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backson pushes Tennyson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Backson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Tennyson backwards.
Tennyson misses with an elbow strike.

Tennyson pulls guard successfully.
Backson 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.
Backson tries to stand but Tennyson is controlling from the bottom.
Tennyson looking for a sweep. Not yet Tennyson, not yet.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Backson wants to stand but Tennyson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jo Backson dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Backson lands with a hook. Tennyson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Backson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Tennyson.
A punch combination from Backson misses.
The fighters circling - Backson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Backson feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Tennysons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Backson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Backson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Tennyson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Backson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Backson with a nice cross.
Backson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Backson scores with the left hand. Tennyson knows he should have avoided that one.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tennyson takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Backson lands with an overhand left.
Tennyson ducks under a wild hook from Backson.
Tennyson appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backson digs a good body shot into Tennyson's ribs.
A head kick misses from Tennyson.
Tennyson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Backson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tennyson doesn't seem bothered though.
Tennyson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Backson.
Backson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Decent striking displayed by Backson there.
Backson works the jab nicely.
Tennyson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Backson throws out a powerful jab.
Tennyson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Backson throws out the jab.
Tennyson raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Tennyson takes one to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jab by Backson.

Backson forces Tennyson back against the cage and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Backson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Backson scores with a sloppy right hand. Tennyson should have avoided that one.
Backson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tennyson at a distance.
Tennyson misses with a hook. Backson ducked under it nicely.
Tennyson looks to throw the jab but Backson is out of range.
It looked like Backson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Backson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tennyson has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Tennyson there as he acknowledges the shot.
Backson moves into range and connects with a jab.

Backson darts in and clinches Tennyson up against the cage.
Backson gets through Tennyson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Backson lands a left hand.
Backson pushes Tennyson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tennyson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Tennyson trying to land knees to the body.
Tennyson trying to land knees to the body.
Backson throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Backson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Backson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Backson lands with a right to the head.

Tennyson is rocked!
Backson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tennyson backwards.
Tennyson is still on wobbly legs! Can Backson finish him?
Backson is struggling to control the position.
Tennyson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tennyson seems to have recovered his senses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Backson.
Backson digs a right hand into Tennyson's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Tennyson's gas tank.
Tennyson has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A nice left hand lands by Backson.
Backson scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Backson breaks the clinch.

Backson rushes Tennyson and presses him up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Backson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Backson gets through Tennyson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Jo Backson has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Backson is pushing Tennyson up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Backson.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Backson.
Backson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tennyson backwards.
Backson creates a bit of space for himself and rocks Tennyson with a big uppercut! Tennyson tries to clinch up but Backson pushes him back against the cage and lands another monster strike that crumples Tennyson to the mat! Tennyson covers up and Backson unloads with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:27 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Jo Backson!