PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sean Cunningham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Julian Brees (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Julian Brees was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Cunningham
vs
Brees

189 cm
22
142 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

173 cm
18
154 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sean Cunningham!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Julian Brees!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cunningham throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Cunningham throws a right hand that Brees ducks under and follows up with a left that Brees also avoids with ease.
Cunningham will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Brees closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Cunningham is breathing heavily.
Brees is looking to take a break and control but Cunningham is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Brees working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Brees wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cunningham keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Brees stands up.
Brees throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A punch combination from Cunningham misses.
Brees fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Cunningham moves out of range as Brees strikes.
Sean Cunningham is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Brees misses the shot to the body.
Cunningham will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Brees closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Brees lands in his opponent's guard.
Brees is looking to stand up but Cunningham won't let him.
Brees forces his way into half guard.
Cunningham blocking the ground and pound attempt from Brees.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brees stalling.
Brees scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Cunningham really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Brees seems to be working for a kimura but Cunningham defends the submission attempt.

That's four 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.
Brees controlling the action here.
Cunningham taking some punishment here, with Brees in his half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Brees sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cunningham defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julian Brees dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Brees throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Brees avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cunningham swinging wildly here.
Brees is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cunningham.
Brees shoots in but Cunningham avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Brees shoots for a double leg takedown but Cunningham sprawls well. He's pushed Brees's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sean Cunningham is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cunningham connects with a high kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brees fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sean Cunningham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Julian Brees.
No luck for Brees with that takedown attempt.
Cunningham throws a nice looking combination but Brees bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brees avoids a punch combination nicely.
Brees tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cunningham sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Brees somewhat.
Cunningham lands a jab-cross combination.

Brees 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.

Brees drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Cunningham manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Brees has Cunningham in his guard.
Brees trying to keep a closed guard but Cunningham is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brees working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cunningham.
Cunningham is looking to stand up but Brees won't let him.
Cunningham with a flurry of punches that miss.
Cunningham pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Brees is keeping the position for now.
Cunningham throws and elbow that misses. Brees uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Cunningham's guard. Nice move by Brees!
Cunningham wants to stand and escape but Brees is having none of it.
Brees throws a strike but Cunningham rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brees manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cunningham manages to get himself to full guard.
Brees showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Cunningham keeping moving, preventing Brees from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Brees trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Brees trying to control the position from guard on top but Cunningham is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Brees trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Julian Brees will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Cunningham's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Cunningham misses with a series of wild punches.
A head kick misses from Cunningham.

Brees scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Brees is trying to get an arm triangle but Cunningham is defending well.
Cunningham dodges the ground and pound from Brees.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Brees goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Cunningham rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Brees's guard! Nice work there by Cunningham!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunningham postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cunningham postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cunningham wants to stand and escape but instead Brees has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Brees wants to get up but he can't break Cunningham's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Cunningham keeping moving, preventing Brees from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Brees gets to his feet - Cunningham follows without any prompting.
Brees shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Cunningham defends it nicely.
Cunningham misses with a wild combination.
A right-left combo lands from Cunningham.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Brees decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Cunningham wants to stand back up but Brees manages to pass into side control.

Brees decides to stand up, so the ref orders Cunningham to his feet.
Cunningham throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Brees.
Brees looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Brees misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cunningham.
Brees throws a right hand that Cunningham ducks under and follows up with a left that Cunningham also avoids with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brees jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Cunningham throws a head kick but Brees moves out of range.
Sean Cunningham has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Brees tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cunningham sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Brees somewhat.
Sean Cunningham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Julian Brees.
Cunningham throws a sloppy head kick and Brees moves out of range easily.
Brees shoots in for a takedown but Cunningham shows good takedown defense.
Nice takedown defense from Cunningham. No joy for Brees on that attempt.
Cunningham throws a head kick that half lands.
Cunningham falls off balance throwing a combination

and Brees counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Brees thows a huge punch but Cunningham dodges it nicely.
Julian Brees is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Brees is stalling here. Cunningham is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Brees seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Cunningham has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Julian Brees comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Brees 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Julian Brees!