PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Flare (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brendan Wertman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wertman has chosen Ladies and Gentlemen as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. John Flare could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Brendan Wertman's chin.

Flare
vs
Wertman

180 cm
22
206 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

185 cm
21
205 lbs
2 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, John Flare!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Brendan Wertman!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Paul Tew and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Flare. No joy for Wertman on that attempt.

Flare rushes Wertman and presses him up against the cage.

Flare jumps guard.
Flare working a defensive guard here.

Flare is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Wertman defends well.
Wertman throws a strike but Flare rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Flare trying to control the position from guard on top but Wertman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Flare postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Wertman controlling Flare's posture.

Wertman looking for a guillotine here but Flare defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flare tries to stand but Wertman is controlling from the bottom.
Flare's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Flare trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Wertman shoots in for a double leg but Flare sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
A left and a right from Wertman both land. Nice combination.
Wertman throws a right hand that Flare ducks under and follows up with a left that Flare also avoids with ease.
Flare leaves Wertman with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
John Flare has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brendan Wertman.
Flare fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Wertman looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Flare throws a series of punches but Wertman moves out of range.

Flare drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Wertman can't do much from the bottom here.
Wertman stops Flare from passing to mount.
You can see the frustration on Wertman's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wertman takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Wertman being controlled for a moment.
Wertman is looking to regain half guard here but Flare keeps moving and retains side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wertman is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Flare off and has taken his back!
Flare just trying to survive but Wertman is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flare manages to reverse the position and now he's in Wertman's guard. Nice work there by Flare.
Flare postures up and lands a big shot to Wertman's brow.
Flare trying to control the position from guard on top but Wertman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Flare decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Wertman, up you get!
Flare is breathing heavily.
Wertman moves into range and connects with a jab.
Wertman with a poor takedown
and Flare counters with a straight right hand.
Wertman with a poor takedown
and Flare counters with a nice body shot.
Flare fails with the takedown.
Wertman uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Flare.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Flare dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Flare shoots in but no luck this time.
Wertman wants to clinch

and Flare counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Wertman!
Flare wants to control the pace but Wertman is squirming around nicely.
Flare landing strikes, looking to finish!
Wertman tries to hold on but Flare postures up.
Flare lands with some strikes.

Flare moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Wertman has worked his arm free - good work by Wertman!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wertman tries to escape but Flare is in control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wertman is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Flare off and has taken his back!
Wertman softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Flare trying to control the action but Wertman just sinks the hooks in.
Wertman loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Flare hold on?
Flare takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Wertman lands strikes to the head.

Wertman tightening his grip on Flare, looking for the choke.
Flare staying busy and making it hard for Wertman to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wertman is trying to stick to Flare's back but Flare is turning into Wertman. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Wertman's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Flare.
Flare trying to control the position from guard on top but Wertman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wertman trying to keep a closed guard but Flare is proving a slippery customer.
Flare wants to control from the top but Wertman keeps moving.

Flare decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Wertman, up you get!
Wertman gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Flare counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wertman throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Wertman wants to sweep here but Flare controlling him for the moment.
Wertman throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
John Flare overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Wertman seems keen to control Flare's posture.
Wertman is trying to control the position but Flare postures up.
Wertman can't keep his opponent in guard - Flare advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Flare is trying to control. Wertman wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four 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.
Wertman regains full guard. Nicely done.
Flare pushing down on Wertman's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Wertman keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Wertman trying to control but Flare postures up.
Flare wants to stand up but Wertman is controlling the position.
Wertman slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Flare stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wertman swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Flare dominated that second round.
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. 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.

Wertman rushes Flare and presses him up against the cage.
Wertman throws a head punch that misses.
Wertman has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Flare avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Flare misses with a punch to the body.
Flare has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Wertman avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Flare could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Flare pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wertman throws a push kick but Flare slaps the foot to one side.
Wertman shoots in but no luck this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wertman closes the distance and clinches up with Flare, looking for a takedown. Wertman pushes Flare against the cage but Flare circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
John Flare has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brendan Wertman.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Flare shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Wertman defends it nicely.
Wertman fails with the takedown

and Flare counters with a shoot takedown. Wertman fights it but they end up in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wertman throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Flare escapes and throws Wertman's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Flare is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Wertman is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Flare thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Flare tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's two 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.
Flare working away.
Flare lands an elbow.
Wertman is trying to get back to half guard.
Wertman wants to get back to his feet.

Flare decides to stand back up. Flare steps back and let's Wertman get back to his feet.
Nice body kick from Wertman.
Wertman with a lazy takedown attempt

and Flare counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Wertman's guard now.
Flare trying to control the position from guard on top but Wertman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flare trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Wertman is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Flare is controlling him.

Flare drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Wertman dives on top into guard.
Wertman stops Flare from standing up.
Wertman wants to control from the top but Flare keeps moving.
Wertman really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Flare. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Wertman working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Flare's head.

That's four 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.
Wertman content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Flare has momentary wrist control but Wertman slips an elbow through the middle.
Wertman tries to free his leg and advance position but Flare is retaining full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Wertman accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
John Flare is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Wertman accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Wertman is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Flare has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Wertman is looking to defend but Flare has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Wertman! Flare pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Wertman taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). John Flare!