PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Les Paul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rice Boyd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Paul
vs
Boyd

160 cm
21
153 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

170 cm
25
150 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Powerful

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Les Paul!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rice Boyd!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Boyd plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Rice Boyd seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paul shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Boyd as he jumps to the side.
Paul misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Boyd.

Paul shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Boyd napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Paul tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Paul wants to control but Boyd is keeping him busy.
Paul tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Paul goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Boyd rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Paul's guard! Nice work there by Boyd!
Boyd postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boyd passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Boyd wants to lay and pray for a moment but Paul keeps working.
Boyd working the ground and pound.
Paul manages to work his way to half guard, despite Boyd's best efforts.
Paul is pressing down on Boyd's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Boyd works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Paul is not content to let Boyd control the position.
Boyd thows a huge punch but Paul dodges it nicely.
Boyd trying to control from half guard but Paul is working away.
Paul tries to roll over but Boyd keeps him under control.
Boyd drops an elbow to the side of Paul's head.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Paul wants to improve his position but Boyd is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Paul preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Paul moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Boyd wants to control from the top but Paul keeps moving.
Boyd postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Paul working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Boyd.
Boyd wants to pass the guard but Paul is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Paul had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Boyd is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Paul Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Boyd's back instead.

Paul is persistently looking for the submission but Boyd is defending it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paul working for the choke.

Paul has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Boyd has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Paul is persistently looking for the submission but Boyd is defending it well.

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.
Boyd trying to control the hands but Paul breaks the grip.
Paul trying to control.
Boyd is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Paul off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Boyd is trying to stand back up.

Paul goes for a risky armbar from back mount and it's not paid off. Boyd escapes and is now in half guard on top.
Boyd seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rice Boyd will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Boyd throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Paul wants to clinch up but Boyd keeps it at a distance.
Boyd wants to clinch up but Paul keeps it at a distance.
Boyd throws a right and a left that Paul avoids nicely.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Paul.
Boyd tries to clinch up but Paul circles away and keeps his distance.
Boyd throws a sloppy head kick and Paul moves out of range easily.
Boyd throws out a powerful jab.

Boyd clinches.
Paul drops down looking for an ankle pick but Boyd pulls his leg out and moves away.
Paul closes this distance looking for a takedown but Boyd circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Les Paul. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Boyd clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul has Boyd pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Boyd manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Boyd is pressed up against the cage. Paul has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Boyd down to the mat. Boyd avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Boyd bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Paul's head backwards.
Paul wants to clinch
and Boyd counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Paul has his takedown stuffed

and Boyd counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Boyd.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Boyd lands a right hand.
Paul fails to pull guard.
A short uppercut from Boyd.
Boyd lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Paul backwards.
Boyd tries to land a knee to the head but Paul blocks with his arms.

Paul is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Boyd can't fight it off and eventually Paul manages to take the fight to the floor. Boyd looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Boyd wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Boyd is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Paul has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Boyd is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Boyd prevents the takedown attempt.

Boyd breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Boyd throws a low kick but Paul avoids it.
Boyd looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Paul gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Boyd counters with a series of strikes. Paul will be more careful next time no doubt.
Rice Boyd is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Boyd thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Paul if he has to take too many more of those.
Left hook, right uppercut from Boyd.
A head kick from Boyd lands but Paul takes it in his stride.
Boyd takes a swing at Paul's ribcage but misses.
Boyd throws a body kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boyd circles away from the clinch attempt

and Boyd holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Paul tries for a takedown. No joy.
Paul is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Boyd gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Boyd digs a right hand into Paul's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Paul's gas tank.
Paul drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Boyd working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Boyd stops a takedown attempt from Paul.
Boyd scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Boyd breaks from the clinch.
Boyd uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A nice combination there by Boyd.
Boyd throws a head kick that Paul semi-blocks.
Boyd clobbers Paul with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Boyd drives through and clinches with Paul against the cage.
Boyd makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Paul drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Boyd is stalling here.

Paul pulls Boyd into guard.
Boyd is fighting to break Paul's control of his arms but Paul is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Boyd trying to control the position from guard on top but Paul is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boyd throwing strikes from guard but Paul blocks nicely.
Paul tries to land a sweep but no joy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Paul pulls Boyd in close to prevent any damage.
Paul keeping full guard, as Boyd tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rice Boyd showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Boyd moves into the clinch.
Paul tries to pull guard but Boyd won't allow it.

Boyd breaks the clinch.
Paul doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Boyd counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Boyd clinches up with Paul and pushes him back against the cage.
Boyd misses with a short punch on the inside.
Paul goes for a takedown attempt but Boyd pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Les Paul. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paul shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Boyd counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Boyd slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Paul ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Paul takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Paul looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Boyd is fending him off so far but Paul persists. Nope, Boyd circles away and we're back to standing.
Paul closes the distance and clinches up with Boyd, looking for a takedown. Paul pushes Boyd against the cage but Boyd circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boyd throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Boyd throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Paul's head.
Paul takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Paul takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Paul takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Boyd fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Paul ducks under a wild hook from Boyd.
Paul shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Paul takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Boyd scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Boyd throws a combination. Paul tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Nice sprawl there from Boyd as Paul shoots in.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boyd scores with a nice strike.
Boyd is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Paul misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Boyd fails to land with a series of punches.

Paul fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Boyd sprawls well initially but Paul persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Paul thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Boyd's head.
Paul tries to pass the half guard into mount. Boyd knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Paul is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Boyd to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Paul throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Boyd works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paul is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Boyd is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Boyd has escaped and now he's on top!
Boyd trying to control but Paul is working from the bottom.
Les Paul overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Paul is looking for a triangle but Boyd pushes his legs off easily.
Paul looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Boyd trying to control but Paul is working from the bottom.
Boyd is in close to Paul's body, working some short punches and elbows.

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.
Paul looking to hit a scissor sweep but Boyd is one step ahead there.
Rice Boyd is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boyd would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Paul with a poor takedown

and Boyd moves into the clinch.

Boyd escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Paul gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Boyd counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Boyd will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Paul gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Boyd cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rice Boyd comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Boyd winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Rice Boyd!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Rice Boyd!
Judge Suge Night scores the fight for Rice Boyd!

Rice Boyd wins by unanimous decision!