PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Andy Bolton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Guinness (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Bolton
vs
Guinness

171 cm
18
153 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Andy Bolton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Richard Guinness!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Richard Clark and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bolton throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Guinness's waist but Guinness gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bolton off to one side.
A right-left combo lands from Guinness.

It looks like Andy Bolton has been cut.
Bolton stuffs the takedown.

Guinness clinches.
Bolton is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A knee to the head by Bolton.

Guinness gets control of Bolton's arms and successfully pulls guard. Guinness will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Bolton throws a big right hand that misses.
Bolton tries to stand but Guinness is controlling from the bottom.
Guinness throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Guinness can do anything to dispel that myth.
Bolton is looking to work some ground and pound but Guinness has wrist control.
Bolton wants to control from the top but Guinness keeps moving.
Guinness pulls Bolton in close to prevent any damage.
Bolton 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bolton wants to control from the top but Guinness keeps moving.
Bolton throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Guinness shoots for a takedown but Bolton saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bolton with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Guinness takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Bolton tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nice sprawl there from Bolton as Guinness shoots in.
Andy Bolton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Guinness.

Guinness has taken the fight to the clinch.
Bolton tries to pull guard but Guinness holds him up against the cage and eventually Bolton drops back down to his feet.

Guinness has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Bolton uses from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bolton accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Guinness wants to get back to his feet but Bolton is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Guinness really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bolton. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bolton sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Guinness's guard.
Guinness looks gassed!
Guinness flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Bolton tries to stand and escape but Guinness is controlling the position.
Bolton throwing shots but Guinness is blocking nicely.

Guinness actively working from the bottom here.
Bolton sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Guinness defending well though.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bolton clinches but Guinness breaks the clinch

and Guinness counters by moving into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bolton tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bolton unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Bolton has Guinness pressed against the cage, preventing Guinness from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Guinness pulls guard successfully.
Bolton wants to control from the top but Guinness keeps moving.
Bolton thows a big elbow that misses.

Bolton drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bolton jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Guinness is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Guinness is trying to control the position from the bottom.

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.
Bolton wants to control from the top but Guinness keeps moving.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bolton is looking to clinch.
Guinness misses with a takedown attempt - Bolton sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Bolton stuffs the takedown attempt from Guinness. Guinness gets slowly back to his feet.
Guinness wants to clinch up but Bolton keeps it at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Guinness dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Andy Bolton's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Bolton.

Guinness closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Bolton is not content to let Guinness control the position.
Bolton struggling a bit here.
Guinness working the ground and pound.
Bolton is looking to reverse the position.
Guinness is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bolton pushes Guinness away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Guinness gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Bolton struggling a bit here.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Bolton shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Guinness but Guinness pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Guinness misses with a head kick.
Guinness throws a leg kick that is checked
and Bolton counters with a series of strikes. Guinness will be more careful next time no doubt.
Bolton connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Bolton.

Guinness closes the distance and pushes Bolton back into the cage.
Bolton is trying to stall.

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.
Bolton throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Guinnesss head.
Bolton prevents Guinness from breaking the clinch.
Guinness misses with a knee strike.
Bolton is trying to break free.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Bolton is pressed up against the cage. Guinness has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Bolton down to the mat. Bolton avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Bolton tries to clinch but Guinness moves away
and Guinness counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Guinness tries for a takedown but Bolton sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Guinness throws a sloppy head kick

and Bolton counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Bolton obliges.

Guinness pulls guard effortlessly.
Bolton trying to control but Guinness is working from the bottom.
Bolton is looking to work some ground and pound but Guinness has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Guinness wants to improve his position but instead Bolton has moved into half guard.

Bolton is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Guinness doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Bolton.

Bolton seems to be looking for submissions.
Bolton tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Guinness.

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.
Guinness wants to improve his position but Bolton is controlling well.
Bolton seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Guinness does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Bolton stops Guinness from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bolton connects with a nice short shot to Guinness's temple.
Guinness is trying to control but can't.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Guinness shoots for a double leg takedown but Bolton sprawls well. He's pushed Guinness's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Andy Bolton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Guinness.
Bolton wants to clinch
and Guinness counters with a series of strikes. Bolton will be more careful next time no doubt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Guinness showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Andy Bolton's cut.
That's time! Bolton's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Bolton shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Guinness is looking to clinch.
Guinness shoots in for a takedown but Bolton shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bolton throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Guinness's head.
Bolton fails with the takedown

and Guinness counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Guinness.
Guinness wanted to stand there but Bolton had control of the position.

Bolton looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Guinness preventing the sweep.
Guinness stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bolton swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Bolton looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Bolton controls Guinness momentarily but Guinness frees himself.
Guinness wants to control from the top but Bolton keeps moving.
Guinness wanted to stand there but Bolton had control of the position.

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.

Bolton throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Guinness has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bolton is proving hard to escape from.
Bolton trying to keep a closed guard but Guinness is proving a slippery customer.
Bolton 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 three minutes gone in the round.
Guinness is trying to stand.
Bolton thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Guinness's head.

Bolton wants to work for an arm triangle but Guinness is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Guinness pushes Bolton off looking to stand but Bolton dives back in and keeps control.
Guinness is not content to let Bolton control the position.
Bolton not landing any meaningful shots this time.

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.
Guinness wants to get back to his feet.
Guinness is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Bolton throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Guinness throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Bolton counters with a left to the body.
Guinness shoots in but Bolton avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Andy Bolton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bolton throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Guinness.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Bolton tries a knee to the head but Guinness blocks it.
Richard Guinness is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Guinness blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Andy Bolton.
Well Guinness 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Richard Guinness!