PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tim Howe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hannibal Lecter VIII (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lecter VIII has chosen Getting Away With Murder as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Howe
vs
Lecter VIII

178 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

174 cm
22
182 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tim Howe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Hannibal Lecter VIII!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Elvis Blanc and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Howe.

Lecter VIII darts in and clinches Howe up against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Howe is trying to break free.
Lecter VIII is pressed up against the cage. Howe has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lecter VIII down to the mat. Lecter VIII avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Lecter VIII throws a nice outside leg kick.
Lecter VIII throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

It looks like Tim Howe has been cut.
Howe wants to clinch up but Lecter VIII keeps it at a distance.
Lecter VIII throws a head kick that misses.
Howe shoots in looking for a takedown. Lecter VIII tries to sprawl out of it but Howe keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Lecter VIII manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tim Howe. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Lecter VIII drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lecter VIII with a nice head shot there.
Lecter VIII working some strikes from top position.
Howe keeping moving, preventing Lecter VIII from controlling successfully.
Howe wants to stand but Lecter VIII is controlling the position.
Lecter VIII controlling from the top position.
Lecter VIII is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lecter VIII scoring with some ground and pound.
Lecter VIII stops Howe from standing up.
Lecter VIII lands a couple of elbows.
Howe is breathing heavily.
Lecter VIII scoring with punches to the head and body.
Howe working a defensive guard here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lecter VIII accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lecter VIII pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Howe is keeping the position for now.
Lecter VIII loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lecter VIII wants to control from the top but Howe keeps moving.
Lecter VIII is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

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

Lecter VIII looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howe is looking to escape.
Lecter VIII lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Lecter VIII slips a nice elbow through Howe's hands, connecting with Howe's forehead.

Lecter VIII is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Lecter VIII wants to lay and pray for a moment but Howe keeps working.

Howe has one foot on Lecter VIII's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Howe throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Lecter VIII throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Howe was covering up waiting for the punch and Lecter VIII finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Lecter VIII trying to control the position from guard on top but Howe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howe looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Howe wants to stand and escape but Lecter VIII is having none of it.
Howe controls Lecter VIII momentarily but Lecter VIII frees himself.
Lecter VIII passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Howe takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Lecter VIII controlling the position from side mount.
Howe is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Lecter VIII is controlling him well.

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.
Howe taking punishment in the form of punches.
Howe is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Lecter VIII asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Lecter VIII landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Lecter VIII landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Lecter VIII lands a nice forearm strike.
Howe is working to avoid the ground and pound but Lecter VIII connects with a decent elbow.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Howe wants to control but Lecter VIII postures up.
Lecter VIII working the head and body with strikes.
You can see the frustration on Howe's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hannibal Lecter VIII dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tim Howe's cut.
That's time! Howe's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lecter VIII moves into the clinch successfully.
Howe wants a takedown but no success here.
Lecter VIII lands a damaging elbow.
Lecter VIII throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Lecter VIII lands an elbow inside.
Lecter VIII presses Howe against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Howe wants to break the clinch but can't.

Lecter VIII jumps guard.
Lecter VIII has a closed guard, preventing Howe from standing up.
Lecter VIII pulls Howe in close to prevent any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Let's hope that Lecter VIII has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Howe wants to stand and escape but instead Lecter VIII has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lecter VIII looking to pass the guard.
Lecter VIII with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Lecter VIII decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Lecter VIII clinches up against the cage.
Lecter VIII jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Howe walks away with a smile on his face. Lecter VIII gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Tim Howe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Howe shoots and misses

and Lecter VIII counters with a nice double leg into side control. Howe won't be happy with that.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Lecter VIII working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Lecter VIII landing a few strikes.

Lecter VIII is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Howe has escaped the position, nice work there.
Lecter VIII scoring with punches from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lecter VIII content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Check out the look on Lecter VIII's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Lecter VIII working the ground and pound but Howe is defending the strikes.
Hannibal Lecter VIII has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lecter VIII is looking to take a break and control but Howe is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Howe tries to bum rush Lecter VIII with a series of wild strikes but Lecter VIII uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Lecter VIII scores a takedown into full mount!
Lecter VIII landing strikes, looking to finish!
Howe tries to hold on but Lecter VIII postures up.
Howe wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howe is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Lecter VIII trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Howe wants to control but Lecter VIII is having none of it.
Lecter VIII landing strikes from the mount and Howe is in trouble!
Lecter VIII landing strikes from the mount.
Howe is trying to stand up.
Lecter VIII is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Howe can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Howe is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Lecter VIII lands with some strikes.
Lecter VIII lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Lecter VIII lands a big shot there that rocks Howe but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Lecter VIII scoring with strikes but Howe is staying in there.

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

Lecter VIII looking for a guillotine from mount but Howe is having none of it.
Lecter VIII scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Howe?
Howe tries to buck Lecter VIII off but he can't manage it.
Lecter VIII lands with some strikes.

Howe defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Lecter VIII.
Lecter VIII working the ground and pound effectively.
Lecter VIII in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Howe keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Howe throwing hammer fists to the chest of Lecter VIII. What's that going to do exactly?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hannibal Lecter VIII showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tim Howe's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Lecter VIII fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Howe sprawls well initially but Lecter VIII persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Howe has one foot on Lecter VIII's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Lecter VIII uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Howe.
Lecter VIII avoids a punch combination nicely.

Lecter VIII shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Howe manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Howe is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Lecter VIII is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lecter VIII distracts Howe with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Lecter VIII drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lecter VIII jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Lecter VIII trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Howe lands some strikes from the bottom.
Lecter VIII postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Howe is trying to keep Lecter VIII in close.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Lecter VIII looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Howe regains full guard. Nicely done.
Lecter VIII won't allow Howe to get back to his feet.
Lecter VIII wants to control from the top but Howe keeps moving.
Lecter VIII cracks Howe with a solid left hand.
Lecter VIII postures up and lands a big shot to Howe's brow.
Howe is looking to stand up but Lecter VIII isn't so interested in that idea.
Lecter VIII is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Lecter VIII scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lecter VIII thows a big elbow that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Howe scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Lecter VIII gets full guard.
Lecter VIII avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Howe looking to pass the guard.
Howe stands up over Lecter VIII, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Howe tries to stand but Lecter VIII is controlling from the bottom.
Lecter VIII has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lecter VIII wants to sweep here but Howe controlling him for the moment.
Howe postures up in Lecter VIII's guard and throws a big left but Lecter VIII blocks it.
Hannibal Lecter VIII is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Lecter VIII uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Howe.
Lecter VIII plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Lecter VIII shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Howe's guard.
Howe is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Lecter VIII is fighting to break Howe's control of his arms but Howe is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Lecter VIII is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howe is looking to stand up but Lecter VIII isn't so interested in that idea.
Lecter VIII sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Howe is trying to control the position but Lecter VIII postures up.
Lecter VIII is stalling in the full guard.

Howe has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Lecter VIII off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Howe shoots and misses

and Lecter VIII counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Lecter VIII.
Tim Howe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lecter VIII sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Howe working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lecter VIII doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lecter VIII manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hannibal Lecter VIII comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Lecter VIII 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 27:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hannibal Lecter VIII!