PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Crier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jake Ellen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Crier comes to the cage accompanied by Sparks the Rescue - Getting Clean In The Dirty South. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Crier
vs
Ellen

170 cm
20
155 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

185 cm
23
160 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johnny Crier!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jake Ellen!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Chris Downing and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ellen throws a series of punches but Crier moves out of range.
Ellen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Crier doesn't manage to clinch there - Ellen circles away.
Ellen misses with the combination.
Ellen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Crier tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ellen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A head kick misses from Ellen.
Crier showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ellen.
Crier tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ellen throws a head kick but Crier moves out of range.
Crier uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ellen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ellen misses with a wild combination.
Crier fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ellen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Crier sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ellen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Crier moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Crier drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Ellen managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Crier.
Ellen prevents Crier from moving into mount.
Crier is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Ellen's shoulder. That is not cool.
Crier moves into full mount!
Crier landing strikes from the mount.

It looks like Jake Ellen has been cut.

Crier looking to secure an arm triangle but Ellen defends it well.
Crier throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Ellen because Crier loaded up on that one.
Crier lands a nice shot to the head.
Crier throws some wild stikes that Ellen manages to avoid easily.
Crier unloads with some shots from mount but Ellen bucks and avoids them well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crier avoids the attempt from Ellen to control.

Crier is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Ellen has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Ellen is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Crier wants to control the pace but Ellen is squirming around nicely.
Ellen keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Crier looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Ellen is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Crier goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Ellen is on top in guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Crier is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Ellen gets to his feet - Crier follows without any prompting.
Ellen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Crier takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ellen scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Crier shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Crier showed some decent athleticism there.
Crier trying to pass the guard but Ellen defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crier seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ellen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Crier not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Crier trying to advance position but Ellen counters by regaining guard.
Crier wants to control from the top but Ellen keeps moving.
Crier trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ellen misses with a few strikes there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Crier dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jake Ellen's cut.
That's time! Crier's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Crier tries to clinch there but Ellen circles away.
Ellen throws a nice looking combination but Crier bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ellen throws a combination. Crier tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Crier is looking to clinch but Ellen is avoiding it.
Ellen tries a head kick but it misses.
Ellen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Crier circles away quickly and effectively.

Crier has managed to clinch.
Ellen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Crier keeps control of Ellen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Crier keeps control of Ellen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Crier keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ellen's efforts to push away.
Crier tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ellen avoids it.
Ellen gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Crier.
Ellen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ellen tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Crier smiles and moves away.
Ellen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crier tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jake Ellen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ellen just misses with a punch to the body.
Ellen looks to land a combination but Crier avoids it well.
Ellen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Crier circles away quickly and effectively.
Ellen swats away the attempt to clinch by Crier.
Ellen throws a series of punches but Crier moves out of range.
Crier slips under a jab from Ellen.
Ellen throws a head kick but Crier moves out of range.

Crier closes the distance and clinches.
A bit of stalling here from Crier.
Ellen is pressed up against the cage. Crier has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ellen down to the mat. Ellen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ellen swinging wilding here.
Crier misses with a double jab.
Ellen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Crier counters with a nice body shot.
Ellen misses with a body punch
and Crier counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ellen thinking.
Ellen is breathing heavily.

Crier closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Ellen did well to prevent Crier getting side control.

Ellen is defending against the submission attempts here by Crier.
Crier lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Crier is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crier wants to pass the guard but Ellen is defending well.
Crier is controlling the pace.
Ellen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Crier thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ellen's head.
Ellen is looking to escape.
Crier has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Crier trying to mount his opponent but Ellen defends it.

Crier seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Crier rushes Ellen and presses him up against the cage.
Ellen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Crier gets underhooks to prevent Ellen's takedown attempt.
Johnny Crier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Ellen.
Crier tries for a takedown. No joy.

Ellen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Crier moves forwards but Ellen connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ellen keeps the fight on the outside.
Ellen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Crier counters with a takedown into side control.
Ellen regains half guard, as Crier was trying to land strikes.
Ellen won't allow Crier to pass to mount.
Ellen is trying to stand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Crier dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jake Ellen's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Crier punishes Ellen's body with a nice straight punch.
Crier takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Ellen misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Crier counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Ellen!

Crier is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Ellen to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Ellen shrugs it off.
Crier tries to control but Ellen wriggling away.
Ellen is trying to stand.
Crier sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

Crier looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Crier is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Ellen has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ellen trying desperately to get to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ellen tries to hold on but Crier pushes him away.
Crier scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Ellen is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Crier thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

Crier goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Ellen is on top in guard.
Ellen throwing strikes but missing.
Crier is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Crier is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Crier not doing much here.
Crier prevents Ellen from standing back up.
Crier wants to take a breather but Ellen is having none of it.
Ellen wants to control but Crier is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Crier sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ellen defending well though.

Ellen kicks off Crier and gets to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ellen throws a one two combo.
Ellen misses with a body kick.
Crier tries to clinch up.
Crier tries to clinch but Ellen moves out of range.
Ellen throws a combination that misses

and Crier counters with a shoot takedown. Ellen fights it but they end up in guard.
Ellen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Crier sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Ellen's guard.
Crier throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Crier wants to control but Ellen is keeping him busy.
Ellen is trying to stand.
Ellen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Crier is working away from the top position though.
Crier works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crier throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Crier controlling the pace for now.

Crier has hold of Ellen's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Ellen manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

Crier jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Ellen manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Ellen is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Crier clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Jake Ellen's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Crier tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ellen throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ellen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ellen is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Crier rather than just go for the knockout.
Ellen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Crier counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Ellen jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Crier walks away with a smile on his face. Ellen gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Ellen tries to keep at a distance but Crier has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ellen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ellen is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Ellen gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Crier.

Crier breaks the clinch.
Ellen misses with a hook to the body
and Crier counters with a stiff right hand.
Ellen throws a combination that misses

and Crier counters with a single leg into guard. Ellen didn't expect that.
Ellen is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Crier postures up in Ellen's guard and throws a big left but Ellen blocks it.
Crier won't allow Ellen to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crier forces his way into half guard.

Crier is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ellen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Crier.
Johnny Crier overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Crier sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ellen defending well though.
Crier trying to pass the guard but Ellen defending well.
Ellen is trying to stand back up but Crier is controlling him
Ellen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Crier is working away from the top position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ellen throws a head kick that misses.
Crier fails with an attempt to clinch.
Crier tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Crier gets the takedown into side control.

Crier working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Crier working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ellen tries to escape but Crier is in control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Crier tries for a kimura but Ellen is defending well.
Crier is looking to take a break and control but Ellen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Crier is trying to ground and pound but Ellen uses the momentary lack of control by Crier to regain half guard.
Crier content to control rather than advance.

That's four 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.

Crier seems to be working for a kimura but Ellen defends the submission attempt.
Ellen pushes Crier off looking to stand but Crier dives back in and keeps control.

Crier is working for a kimura but Ellen is defending it quite comfortably.
Crier thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ellen's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Crier had his way with Jake Ellen in that round.
The cut man is working on Jake Ellen's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Crier fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ellen misses with the combination.
Ellen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Crier dodges the punch combination from Ellen.
Ellen does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ellen swats away the attempt to clinch by Crier.
Crier swings for the body but Ellen moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ellen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Crier moves away from the strike by Ellen.
Crier uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ellen.
Ellen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ellen is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ellen takes a swing at Crier's ribcage but misses.
Ellen falls off balance throwing a combination

and Crier decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ellen's guard.
Ellen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Crier sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Ellen's guard.
Ellen is not content to let Crier control the position.
Crier is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Ellen tries to kick Crier off but Crier keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Crier is trying to work for a kimura but Ellen is defending well.
Crier passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crier wants to take Ellen's back but he can't do it this time.
Ellen wants to hold on but Crier pushes him away.
You get the feeling that Ellen really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Poor strikes thrown by Crier there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Crier controlling from the full mount.
Ellen holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Crier tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crier tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Crier has hold of Ellen's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Ellen manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Ellen is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Crier can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ellen is looking to escape.
Ellen keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

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.
Crier tries to control but Ellen wriggling away.
Ellen avoids a series of strikes thrown by Crier.
Crier sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Ellen is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ellen takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Ellen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Jake Ellen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Crier has control of Ellen's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Ellen regains control of the situation pretty easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Crier showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Crier, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 50:45
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 50:45
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Crier!
Johnny Crier is the new lightweight champion!