PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Te Guruma (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and pile driver (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Guruma comes to the cage accompanied by A Tear In The Open. driver has chosen my way as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Guruma
vs
driver

169 cm
22
155 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

175 cm
21
150 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

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 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Te Guruma!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, pile driver!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Richard Clark and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Guruma bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Guruma throws a strike aimed at the side of driver's head but driver avoids it well.
Guruma throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
driver gets back to half guard.
driver is looking for a sweep. Guruma is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nice strikes from Guruma there.
Guruma wants to pass the guard but driver is defending well.
driver connecting with a few gentle strikes.
Guruma lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
driver gets full guard.
driver looking to hit a scissor sweep but Guruma is one step ahead there.
Guruma postures up.
Guruma is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
driver looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Guruma landing with the ground and pound.
Guruma throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guruma throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as driver works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Guruma won't allow driver to get back to his feet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Guruma tries to free his leg and advance position but driver is retaining full guard.
driver with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Guruma can't handle though.

Guruma stands up and waves to driver to follow him.
driver uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Guruma.
Guruma lands a jab-cross combination.
driver thuds a left hand into Guruma's body.
driver jabbing away but nothing is landing.
driver blocks a low kick nicely.
driver lands with a shot to the body.
driver lands with a cross.
driver tries to clinch there but Guruma circles away.
driver dives in and grabs Guruma's left leg, looking for a takedown. Guruma pushes down on driver's head and hops out.
A big left from Guruma misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Guruma misses with a shot to the body
letting driver counter with a right hand.
driver bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Guruma's head backwards.

Guruma feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Guruma is breathing heavily.
Guruma wants to stand but driver has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Guruma throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as driver works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
driver throws a couple of heel strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
driver wants to sweep here but Guruma controlling him for the moment.
Guruma trying to stand up but can't free himself from driver's guard.
Guruma throwing strikes but missing.
Guruma has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
driver is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
driver is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Guruma has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. driver is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

driver decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
driver dives in and grabs Guruma's left leg, looking for a takedown. Guruma pushes down on driver's head and hops out.
driver misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Guruma will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
driver lands a nice looking body shot.

Guruma shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Guruma postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

driver kicks Guruma off and gets to his feet.
driver shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Guruma decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in driver's guard.
Te Guruma has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of pile driver.
driver throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
driver is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guruma tries to free his leg and advance position but driver is retaining full guard.
driver has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
driver throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
driver working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Guruma.

Guruma stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Good exchange - driver coming out on top.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Good exchange - driver coming out on top.

driver shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Guruma tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Guruma is refusing to be controlled, as driver sits in half guard.
driver tries to pass to full mount but Guruma defends it.
driver stops Guruma from getting back to his feet.
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 Te Guruma will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

driver rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Guruma moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
driver doesn't manage to clinch there - Guruma circles away.
Te Guruma seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Guruma throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by driver.
Guruma lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
driver looks to land a left hand but Guruma moved out of range nicely.
Guruma throws a head kick that misses.
driver throws a series of punches but Guruma moves out of range.
driver works Guruma's body with a nice hook.
Guruma will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
driver lands a with a good body shot.
Guruma throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around driver's waist but driver gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Guruma off to one side.
driver shoots in for a takedown but Guruma shows good takedown defense.
driver throws an overhand right that lands on Guruma's shoulder, as Guruma tries to avoid the shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Guruma has driver up against the cage in a clinch.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Guruma looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for driver!
driver tries to get back to half guard but can't.
driver tries to lock up and control but Guruma gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Guruma postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. driver looks a forlorn figure.
driver working to try and regain half guard.
driver takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
driver is trying to escape the mount.
Te Guruma overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
driver is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Guruma lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
driver sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Guruma tries to stand and escape but driver is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Guruma working driver over with strikes.
driver wants to control but Guruma is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Guruma prevents driver from improving his position.
driver is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Guruma scores with a couple of nice shots.
driver tries to get to full guard but Guruma has control of the leg.
driver is trying to maintain the position but Guruma is very close to passing his half guard.
driver on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
driver looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Guruma swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and driver counters with a right hand to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Guruma.
driver takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Guruma tries to score a power double leg takedown but driver sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Guruma somewhat.
driver swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Te Guruma is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
driver avoids the head kick by Guruma.
driver with a lazy takedown attempt

and Guruma counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Guruma.
Guruma tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Te Guruma. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Guruma pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
driver scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
driver digs a good hook to Guruma's body.
driver closes this distance looking for a takedown but Guruma circles away.
driver throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Guruma slips under a jab.
Guruma misses with a double jab
and driver counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Guruma fails in his attempt to clinch.
driver misses with a few strikes there.
Guruma throws a quick inside leg kick.

Guruma drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Guruma stands up.
Nice body kick there by Guruma.
driver wants to clinch
and Guruma counters with a big head kick but driver shrugs it off.
driver works over Guruma's head and body with a nice combination.
Guruma misses with a double jab
and driver counters with a nice body shot.
Guruma thumps driver with a low kick.
Guruma misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Guruma scores with a spinning back kick!
Guruma throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Guruma swinging wilding here.
A slow jab from driver misses its intended target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Te Guruma dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Guruma showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from driver.
Nice uppercut lands for Guruma. That snapped driver's head back.
driver closes this distance looking for a takedown but Guruma circles away.
No joy there for Guruma, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Guruma throws a sloppy head kick
and driver counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Guruma shoots in but no luck this time.
driver lands a two punch combo.
Guruma lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Some wild striking there from driver.

Guruma scores with a takedown into driver's guard.
Guruma wanted to stand there but driver had control of the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Guruma lands a couple of decent looking shots.
driver lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Guruma!

That's one minute gone in the round.
driver punishing his opponent with strikes.
driver is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Guruma can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Guruma tries to hold on but driver postures up.
Guruma is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
driver is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Guruma tries to hold on but driver postures up.
driver blocks Guruma's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
driver lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
driver trying to control but Guruma is having none of it.
Guruma trying desperately to get to his feet.

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.
Guruma wants to control but driver is having none of it.
Guruma takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

driver looking to secure an arm triangle but Guruma defends it well.
Guruma throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Guruma can't escape the position.
driver working Guruma over with strikes here.

driver is working for a guillotine from mount but Guruma frees his head quite easily.
driver in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

driver working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Guruma slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Guruma is in trouble now - driver has advanced to mount!
Guruma sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Guruma kicks off driver and gets to his feet.
Guruma shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as driver sprawls well. driver wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Guruma gets slowly back to his feet.
Guruma tries for a takedown but driver circles away easily
and driver counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Te Guruma. That's going to take a lot out of him.
driver throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Guruma with a jab.
Guruma scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Guruma shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as driver sprawls well. driver wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Guruma gets slowly back to his feet.
driver connects with a nice looking jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
driver ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
driver doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Guruma throws a sloppy head kick and driver moves out of range easily.
Guruma has his takedown stuffed
and driver counters with a three punch combo that has Guruma backing up. Guruma nods at driver to acknowledge the strikes.
pile driver has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
driver thows a left - swing and a miss!
Guruma takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nice sprawl there from Guruma as driver shoots in.
Guruma shoots in and drives through. driver sprawls well.
driver moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Guruma tries to clinch but driver moves out of range.

driver scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Guruma punching from the bottom.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. driver lands a nice short elbow.
Ground and pound from driver.
Te Guruma is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

driver is working for a submission of some sort.

And that's the end of the fight!
pile driver comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Guruma has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Te Guruma!