PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Harry Groove (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chew Backer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Groove
vs
Backer

175 cm
21
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
19
162 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Harry Groove!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Chew Backer!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Donatello Bradman and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Groove looks to land a combination. Backer sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Backer is rocked!
Groove is looking to clinch.
Backer is still on wobbly legs! Can Groove finish him?
Backer looks for a takedown but Groove sprawls well.
Groove shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Backer counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Groove!
Backer seems to have recovered his senses.
Groove is looking to get to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Backer avoids the attempt from Groove to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Backer throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Backer is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Groove can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

Backer is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Groove has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Groove!
Groove not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Groove seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Backer for as long as he can get away with.
Backer really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Groove. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backer 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.
Groove passes Backer's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Groove working over Backer with some ground and pound. Backer looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Backer is not content to let Groove control the position.
Groove is taking a breather. Backer says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Groove is thwarting Backer's attempts to control the position.
Backer looks gassed!
Groove tries to pass to full mount but Backer defends it.
Backer is trying to stand.
Groove trying to control the action but Backer is working from the bottom.
Backer flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Groove is controlling the pace.

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

and Groove counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Groove.
Groove postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Groove trying to control the position from guard on top but Backer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Groove won't allow Backer to sweep him here.

Groove drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Groove jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Backer working a defensive guard here.
Groove won't allow Backer to sweep him here.
Backer is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Still in half guard, Backer seems content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backer throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Backer looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Groove with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Backer landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Backer working Groove over with strikes.
Backer trying to control the action but Groove is working from the bottom.
Backer wants to pass to mount but Groove is defending the position.
Backer throws a strike but Groove avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Groove keeping moving, preventing Backer from controlling successfully.
Backer trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Backer looking to pass the guard.
Backer thows a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Backer closes the distance looking to clinch
and Groove counters with a nice body kick.
Groove doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Backer counters by clinching up.

Backer breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Groove fails with the takedown

and Backer counters with a shoot takedown. Groove fights it but they end up in guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harry Groove. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Groove trying to keep a closed guard but Backer is proving a slippery customer.
Backer not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Backer looking to pass the guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Backer trying to control but Groove is working from the bottom.
Backer must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Backer tries to free his leg and advance position but Groove is retaining full guard.
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 Harry Groove will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Backer fails with the takedown

and Groove counters with a nice double leg into side control. Backer won't be happy with that.
Backer is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Backer is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Groove off and has taken his back!
Groove wants to control his opponent's hands but Backer gets his hands free.
Groove is keeping busy.
Backer thows a strike but Groove uses the opportunity to reverse the position! Great move by Groove as he ends up in Backer 's guard!
Backer wants to sweep here but Groove controlling him for the moment.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Backer shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Groove as he avoids it easily.
Backer tries for a takedown but Groove circles away easily

and Groove moves into the clinch.
Harry Groove has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chew Backer.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Backer manages to pull guard.
Groove wants to stand but Backer has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Backer is looking for a triangle but Groove pushes his legs off easily.
Groove won't allow Backer to sweep him here.

Backer wriggles free and stands up.
Backer tries for a takedown but Groove circles away easily
and Groove counters with a nice body shot.
Some wild striking there from Groove.
Groove is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Groove closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Backer to the mat! Backer manages to get full guard.
Groove trying to control but Backer is working from the bottom.
Groove preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Groove wants to control from the top but Backer keeps moving.
Backer tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Backer looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Backer has a closed guard, preventing Groove from standing up.
Groove won't allow Backer to sweep him here.
Harry Groove overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Backer has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Groove can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Backer checks a leg kick.

Groove scores a takedown into full mount!
Backer is bucking up trying to escape but Groove cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Groove can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Backer is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backer tries to improve his position but instead Groove has taken his back!
Groove tries to get the hooks in deep but Backer pushed the leg off.
Backer tries to escape but Groove has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Backer trying to control the hands but Groove breaks the grip.
I really don't envy Backer right now.
Backer trying to control the hands but Groove breaks the grip.
Backer is really stuck here.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Groove. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Backer tries to break free.
Groove gets his hands free as Backer looks to control.
Backer is trying to keep from getting into a worse position than he's already in but Backer is working away and isn't letting himself get tied up.
Groove has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Backer's body.
Groove softening up his opponent with strikes here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Groove doesn't have the hooks in and Backer manages to turn into his guard.
Backer stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Groove swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Backer postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Backer trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Groove is trying to control the position but Backer postures up.
Groove keeping moving, preventing Backer from controlling successfully.
Backer looking to pass the guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Backer throws a body punch but Groove moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Groove closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Groove lands in his opponent's guard.
Backer wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Groove stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Harry Groove is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Backer misses with a takedown

and Groove holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Backer keeps control of Groove as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Backer is working Groove over against the cage.

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

Backer shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Backer looking to secure an arm triangle but Groove defends it well.
Backer scoring with strikes but Groove is staying in there.
Backer unloading with bombs!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
BOOM! Backer connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Groove wants to control but Backer is having none of it.
Backer can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Groove is looking to escape.
Groove holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Backer tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Groove tries to hold on but Backer pushes him away.
Groove is working to get back to half guard.
Groove tries to hold on but Backer pushes him away.
Groove really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Groove manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Groove trying to control from the bottom.

That's two 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.
Groove is holding on to half guard well.

Backer is looking for a kimura here.
Groove wants to control but Backer is keeping busy.

Backer looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Groove is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backer controlling the action here.
Backer not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Backer shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Backer was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Backer wants to control the pace but Groove is squirming around nicely.
Groove is in all sorts of trouble here.
Backer postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Groove looks a forlorn figure.
Backer can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Groove is looking to escape.
Groove wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Backer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backer misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Chew Backer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Backer throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Groove because Backer loaded up on that one.
Backer lands a nice shot to the head.
Backer avoids the attempt from Groove to control.
Backer in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Backer working the ground and pound effectively.
Backer with a couple of short strikes.

Groove is rocked!
Backer looking to finish Groove with some ground and pound. This is bad for Groove!
Oh Groove is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Backer dominating with strikes here.
Groove is bucking up trying to escape but Backer cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Backer lands a nice shot to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chew Backer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Groove 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 29:29
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!