PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Saikologically Challenged (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Crawford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Challenged
vs
Crawford

190 cm
21
255 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

188 cm
26
250 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Broken Halo Pride Nutrition
Firebird Designs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Saikologically Challenged!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Paul Crawford!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crawford fails with a takedown attempt.
Challenged slaps away a takedown attempt from Crawford, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Challenged slips a jab from Crawford.
An inside leg kick from Crawford misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Challenged fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Crawford looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Challenged swings for the body but Crawford moves out of range.
Crawford throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Challenged lands a lovely overhand right.
Crawford misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Challenged.
Crawford looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Challenged is fending him off so far but Crawford persists. Nope, Challenged circles away and we're back to standing.
Saikologically Challenged has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paul Crawford.
Challenged uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Crawford.
Challenged keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Crawford misses with a low kick.
Challenged throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Crawford sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crawford throws a half hearted mid kick.
Crawford scores with a sloppy right hand. Challenged should have avoided that one.
Crawford misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Crawford scores with a kick to the body.
Challenged keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Crawford uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Challenged.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crawford ducks right into an uppercut from Challenged.
Crawford misses with a body kick.
Crawford misses with a straight left.
Crawford buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Crawford lands a head kick. Challenged smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Challenged misses with a hook. Crawford ducked under it nicely.
A chopping leg kick lands by Crawford.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Crawford keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crawford misses with a low kick.
Crawford fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A head kick misses from Crawford.
Challenged just misses with a punch to the body.
Challenged blocks a leg kick.
Crawford will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Crawford displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Challenged throws out the jab.
Saikologically Challenged is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fighters circling - Crawford throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Crawford dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Crawford throws a nice inside leg kick.
Crawford changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Challenged tries to avoid it but Crawford manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Challenged to the ground. Challenged escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Crawford tries a low kick but Challenged avoids it.
A bone on bone clash there as Challenged blocks the leg kick.
Challenged doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Challenged takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Crawford shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Challenged pinned against the cage. Challenged gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Crawford misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Paul Crawford seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawford tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Challenged is able to avoid easily.
Challenged throws a series of punches but Crawford avoids them all with ease.
Challenged displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Crawford.
Saikologically Challenged has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paul Crawford.
Challenged connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Challenged misses.
Crawford misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A punch combination from Challenged misses.
A bone on bone clash there as Challenged blocks the leg kick.
Challenged avoids the head kick by Crawford.
Crawford misses with a jab to the body
and Challenged counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Crawford chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Crawford wants to clinch up but Challenged keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Crawford bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Crawford.
Crawford tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Challenged tries to improve position but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Crawford working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Crawford throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Challenged works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Challenged is not content to let Crawford control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Crawford in particular looking to stall.
Crawford missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Crawford is pressing down on Challenged's thigh, looking to free his foot. Challenged is holding on for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Crawford showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Crawford with a lazy takedown attempt
and Challenged counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Crawford throws a solid leg kick but Challenged takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Crawford.
Challenged avoids the head kick by Crawford.
Paul Crawford is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Crawford slips under a jab from Challenged.
Crawford staying out of range there.
Crawford tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Crawford uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Challenged.
Good leg kick by Crawford there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawford displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Challenged throws out the jab.
Crawford throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Challenged sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Crawford misses with a double jab.
Crawford scores with a hook to the body. Challenged takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Crawford is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Challenged's half guard.
Crawford thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Challenged's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Challenged wants to get back to full guard.
Challenged knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Crawford on the ground.
Challenged is trying to control but can't.
Crawford is looking to take a break and control but Challenged is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Crawford passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Challenged!
Challenged really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crawford punching from mount but Challenged doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Crawford misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Crawford can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Challenged is looking to escape.
Crawford tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Crawford trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Crawford looking to control and managing it successfully.
Crawford has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Crawford landing strikes, looking to finish!
Challenged reaches up and holds on to Crawford to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Crawford fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Challenged.
Crawford tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Crawford throws a right and a left that Challenged avoids nicely.
Crawford slips under a jab.
Crawford lands with a thumping leg kick.
Crawford fails to land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawford is trying hard to land a takedown here. Challenged sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Crawford throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Crawford scores with a leg kick.
Challenged throws a hook but Crawford avoids it easily.
Challenged is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Crawford throws a head kick but Challenged moves out of range.
Challenged on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Crawford scores with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crawford shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Challenged as he avoids it easily.
Crawford throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Crawford fails in his attempt to clinch.
Crawford connects with a solid leg kick.
Crawford misses with a head kick.
Challenged keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Challenged chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Crawford can pounce on him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crawford closes the distance and clinches up with Challenged, looking for a takedown. Crawford pushes Challenged against the cage but Challenged circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Saikologically Challenged has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paul Crawford.
Crawford scores with a crisp jab that stopped Challenged in his tracks.
Challenged has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Crawford lands a head kick!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Challenged checks a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crawford shoots and misses
and Challenged counters with a two punch combo.
Nice body punch from Crawford.
Crawford throws a sloppy head kick and Challenged moves out of range easily.
A jab from Challenged misses.
Paul Crawford seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Challenged misses with a body punch
and Crawford counters with a left and a right that stings Challenged.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A lazy left from Crawford finds it's target.
Nice uppercut there from Challenged.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Crawford dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Challenged's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Crawford uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Challenged.
Crawford throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Challenged stuffs the takedown.
Crawford looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Challenged is fending him off so far but Crawford persists. Nope, Challenged circles away and we're back to standing.
Crawford is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crawford takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawford pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Challenged lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Paul Crawford has been cut.
Crawford throws a low kick but Challenged avoids it.
A head kick misses from Crawford.
Challenged connects with a jab.
Challenged has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Challenged there as he acknowledges the shot.
Challenged throws a hook to the side of Crawford's head but Crawford sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crawford avoids the head kick by Challenged.
Challenged is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Crawford fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Challenged manages to avoid it.
Crawford throws a hook but Challenged blocks it.
Challenged blocks a head kick by Crawford.
Challenged misses with a hook. Crawford ducked under it nicely.
Nice jab there from Crawford.
Challenged throws a looping overhand right but Crawford ducks down to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Challenged lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A telegraphed right hand from Challenged misses the target.
Crawford defending well as Challenged loads up on a big left hand.
Crawford fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Challenged on the side of the head.
Challenged takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Crawford throws a shot from downtown. Challenged moves away and avoids it.
Crawford fails to land the takedown.
Saikologically Challenged has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paul Crawford.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crawford swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Challenged to counter with a crisp jab.
Crawford dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Paul Crawford is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Crawford looks to throw a body kick
and Challenged counters with a straight right hand.
Crawford on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Saikologically Challenged has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Crawford throws a leg kick but Challenged sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Crawford fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Challenged.
Crawford ducks under a wild hook from Challenged.

And that's the end of the fight!
Saikologically Challenged showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Crawford 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 45:49
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 45:49
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Crawford!
Paul Crawford is the new heavyweight champion!