PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Teddy Ferguson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommy Avila (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ferguson
vs
Avila

175 cm
19
155 lbs
2 - 3 - 1

177 cm
19
156 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Teddy Ferguson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tommy Avila!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Elvis Blanc and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Avila will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Ferguson lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Avila backs up against the cage.

Avila closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Avila looking to stall.

Avila pulls guard.
Ferguson tries to free his leg and advance position but Avila is retaining full guard.
Avila manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Avila throws some wild stikes that Ferguson manages to avoid easily.
Avila is trying to take his opponent's back.
Ferguson avoids a series of strikes thrown by Avila.
Avila unloads with some shots from mount but Ferguson bucks and avoids them well.
Avila controlling the pace for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Avila tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Avila punching from mount but Ferguson doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Avila trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Avila looking to secure an arm triangle but Ferguson defends it well.
Ferguson tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two 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.
Avila looking to ground and pound but Ferguson is blocking nicely.
Avila throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Avila breaks from Ferguson's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Ferguson tries to hold on but Avila postures up.

Avila goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Ferguson is on top in guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Avila is trying to keep Ferguson in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Avila might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Ferguson kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Avila manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Avila moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Ferguson has worked his arm free - good work by Ferguson!
Ferguson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ferguson tries to get out of the position.
Ferguson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ferguson is working hard here to advance position.

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.
Avila tries to advance to mount but can't.

Avila wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ferguson, who protects the arm well.
Avila tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ferguson is trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Avila dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Avila tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Avila lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Ferguson swinging wildly here.
Ferguson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ferguson misses with a double jab.
Ferguson sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Ferguson tries to clinch up
and Avila counters with a thumping low kick.
Ferguson throws a right hand that Avila ducks under and follows up with a left that Avila also avoids with ease.
Ferguson wants to clinch.
Ferguson takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Ferguson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Avila feints and then cracks Ferguson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ferguson down.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Avila misses with a body shot.

Avila drives through and clinches with Ferguson against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Avila working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Avila content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Ferguson is trying to drag Avila to the mat but Avila just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Avila is trying to maintain a safe position but Ferguson gets an underhook and turns Avila into the cage.
Ferguson being controlled against the cage.
Avila stops a takedown attempt from Ferguson.
Avila landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Avila working Ferguson over with knees to the body.
Avila stops a takedown attempt from Ferguson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Teddy Ferguson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Avila using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Avila wants to stall.
Avila comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Ferguson takes a knee to the side of the body.
Avila crunches a lovely knee into Ferguson's ribcage.
Avila lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ferguson backwards.
Avila lands a nice knee to the body.
Avila putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ferguson in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Avila lands a knee to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Avila.
Avila lands a good knee to the midsection. Ferguson won't want to take too many of those.
Ferguson can't get the takedown.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Avila scores a nice knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Avila landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Avila lands with a short shot to the head.
Avila crunches a lovely knee into Ferguson's ribcage.
Avila prevents the takedown attempt.
Avila is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Avila taking a breather.
Avila lands a knee to the body.
Ferguson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Avila is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Avila comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Avila slows down the pace here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Avila lands an elbow that stopped Ferguson in his tracks for a moment.
Ferguson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Avila is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Avila lands a knee to the head.
Ferguson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Avila pulls his leg out and moves away.
Avila chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A slapping body kick lands there for Avila.
Ferguson takes a kick to the side of the head.
Ferguson fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Avila.
Avila bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Ferguson throws a combination that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Avila throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Tommy Avila is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Avila scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Teddy Ferguson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Avila lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Avila tries a head kick but it misses.
Ferguson on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Ferguson crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Avila - the referee stops the clock and Ferguson gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Avila. Ferguson manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Ferguson gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Avila scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ferguson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ferguson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Avila throws a leg kick which misses Ferguson's front leg but catches the back leg as Ferguson tries to avoid it.
Ferguson will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Avila connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ferguson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Avila.
Avila scores with a jab to the head.
Avila feints and then cracks Ferguson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ferguson down.
Avila has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ferguson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Avila throws a solid leg kick but Ferguson takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Avila.
Avila throws a head kick that misses.

Avila clinches with his opponent.
Ferguson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Avila prevents it.
Avila stops a takedown attempt from Ferguson.
Avila landing some nice looking knees to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Avila.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Avila scores a nice knee to the body.
Avila lands a damaging elbow.
Ferguson wants a takedown but no success here.
Avila lands a knee to the body.
Ferguson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Avila lands a nice shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Avila 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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

A solid leg kick lands there for Avila.
Avila keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Avila looks to score with a jab to the body but Ferguson is just out of range.
Avila throws a head kick that half lands.
Ferguson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Avila moves into the clinch.
Avila using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Ferguson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Avila gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Stalling in the clinch from Avila.
Avila unloads a knee to the mid-section. Ferguson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Avila unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Ferguson wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Teddy Ferguson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Avila lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Ferguson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Avila pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ferguson takes an elbow to the temple.
Avila putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ferguson in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Avila lands an elbow inside that Ferguson shrugs off.
Avila is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Ferguson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Avila lands a nice knee to the body.
Avila creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Tommy Avila seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A bit of stalling here from Avila.
Avila unloads a knee to the mid-section. Ferguson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Avila utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Avila tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ferguson avoiding damage as Avila throws knees to the body.
Avila unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Avila scores a nice knee to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Ferguson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Avila pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ferguson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Avila is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Avila escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Avila stuns Ferguson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Avila goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Avila connects with a body shot.
Avila thows a body shot but no joy.

Ferguson has managed to clinch.
Avila is trying to maintain a safe position but Ferguson gets an underhook and turns Avila into the cage.
Teddy Ferguson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ferguson turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Avila is trying to control Ferguson's posture but Ferguson avoids it.
Avila is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Ferguson is staying active.
Ferguson wants to control but Avila is keeping him busy.
An elbow from Ferguson crashes against the mat.
Avila is looking to reverse the position.
Ferguson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Avila keeps working.
Avila manages to get back to half guard.
Avila moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Avila bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ferguson's guard.

Ferguson scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Avila lands the left hand.
Avila moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ferguson misses with a two punch combination.

Ferguson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ferguson showed some decent athleticism there.
Ferguson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Avila does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ferguson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Avila makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Avila.
Avila controls Ferguson momentarily but Ferguson frees himself.
Ferguson connects with a couple of short punches.

Avila looking for a guillotine here but Ferguson defends easily.
Avila 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.
Tommy Avila is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Avila keeping full guard, as Ferguson tries to pass.
Ferguson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Ferguson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Avila controlling Ferguson's posture.
Avila utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ferguson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Avila keeping full guard, as Ferguson tries to pass.
Ferguson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tommy Avila comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Avila has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 26:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 26:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tommy Avila!