PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tortoise Church (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Blackjack Mulligan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tortoise Church has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Church
vs
Mulligan

190 cm
22
255 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
240 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Attliction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tortoise Church!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Blackjack Mulligan!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Church lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Church instigates a clinch.
Church on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Church manages to break the clinch.
Mulligan tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Church counters with a two punch combo.
Church tries to clinch up but Mulligan circles away and keeps his distance.

Church closes the distance and clinches.
Church tries to pull guard but Mulligan holds him up against the cage and eventually Church drops back down to his feet.
Church blocks the elbow strike.
Church goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mulligan prevents it.
Church misses with a knee strike.
Mulligan looking to stall.
Mulligan missing with knees to the body.
Church stalls.
Mulligan tries for a takedown but Church manages to get underhooks.
Mulligan is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Church is keeping busy.
Mulligan wants to get back to striking at distance but Church won't allow it.
Mulligan throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Mulligan pulls Church into guard.

Church gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Church lands a nice looking body kick.
Mulligan on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nice body kick there by Church.
Mulligan tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Church counters with a left and a right that stings Mulligan.
Church with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Mulligan looks gassed!
Mulligan tries to clinch but Church moves away
and Church counters with a nice leg kick.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Church instigates a clinch.

Church breaks from the clinch.
Church misses with a jab, cross combination.

Church moves into the clinch.
The referee calls for Church to work.

Church escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Church bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Church is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Mulligan is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mulligan is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Mulligan's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Mulligan sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Mulligan throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Mulligan is pressing down on Church's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Church preventing the sweep.
Church has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Mulligan trying to control the position.
Mulligan is controlling Church's posture.
Mulligan is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Mulligan works his way into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mulligan in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Mulligan is chipping away with strikes.
Mulligan cracks Church with a big right hand but Church just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Church is looking for a sweep.
Mulligan is looking to take a break and control but Church is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Church tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Church is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mulligan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Church keeps working.
Mulligan throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Church throws Mulligan to one side and escapes!
Church rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mulligan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Church tries to clinch up but Mulligan circles away and keeps his distance.

Church gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mulligan misses with a knee strike.

Church breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Church misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Church closes the distance and clinches.
Church is pressed up against the cage. Mulligan has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Church down to the mat. Church avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Mulligan throws a combination that misses
and Church counters with a body kick that stops Mulligan in his tracks momentarily.
Church closes the distance and clinches up with Mulligan, looking for a takedown. Church pushes Mulligan against the cage but Mulligan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tortoise Church. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mulligan closes the distance and clinches up with Church, looking for a takedown. Mulligan pushes Church against the cage but Church circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Church connects with a high kick.

It looks like Blackjack Mulligan has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mulligan tries to clinch but Church moves away
and Church counters with a good, hard body kick but Mulligan shrugs it off.
Nice sprawl there from Church as Mulligan shoots in.
Mulligan tries to clinch but Church moves away
and Church counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Mulligan closes this distance looking for a takedown but Church circles away.
Mulligan tries to clinch

and Church counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Church wanted to stand there but Mulligan had control of the position.
Mulligan is striking but Church is not phased and passes to half guard.
Mulligan gets full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tortoise Church dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Blackjack Mulligan's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Church tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Church moves into the clinch successfully.
Church holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Church is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mulligan jumps guard but Church stands there with Mulligan around his waist. Mulligan gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Church on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Mulligan is trying to stall.
Mulligan drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mulligan is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Mulligan looking to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mulligan has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Church avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Tortoise Church has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Blackjack Mulligan.
Mulligan stops a takedown attempt from Church.

Church manages to break the clinch.
Mulligan tries to clinch

and Church counters by moving into the clinch.
Mulligan drops down looking for an ankle pick but Church pulls his leg out and moves away.
Mulligan is breathing heavily.
Mulligan moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Church.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Church, right into the meat.
Church throws a nice head kick!
Church's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Church duly obliges.
Mulligan looks to clinch

and Church moves into the clinch.

Church breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tortoise Church is winning the standup battle so far.
Church lands a head kick. Mulligan smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Church moves into the clinch successfully.

Church breaks the clinch.
Church displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Mulligan tries to keep at a distance but Church has taken the fight into the clinch.
Church tries to pull guard but Mulligan won't allow it.
Church trying to stall but Mulligan improves his position.

Mulligan ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Mulligan no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Mulligan keeping moving, preventing Church from controlling successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mulligan is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Church controls Mulligan momentarily but Mulligan frees himself.
Mulligan is in close to Church's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Church avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Church trying to control the position.
Mulligan landing with the ground and pound.
Mulligan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Mulligan stands and steps away. Church gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Mulligan closes the distance looking to clinch
and Church counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Church tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A head kick misses from Church.
Church throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Mulligan.
Church shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

It looks like Tortoise Church has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mulligan stuffs the takedown.
Mulligan tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Church counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Mulligan wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mulligan tries to land knees in the clinch but Church avoids the damage to the body.
Church fails to pull guard.
Mulligan keeps control of Church as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mulligan stalling.
Church wants a takedown but no success here.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Mulligan just misses with a elbow thrown towards Church's brow.
Mulligan trying to land knees to the body.
Church blocks an elbow strike.
Mulligan pushes off an throws an elbow but Church leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Mulligan lands a takedown into guard.
Church trying to strike off his back.
Mulligan scoring with some ground and pound.
Church keeping moving, preventing Mulligan from controlling successfully.
Blackjack Mulligan has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mulligan passes Church's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ground and pound from Mulligan.
Mulligan throwing shots but Church is blocking nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Mulligan seems content to control.
Church tries to roll over but Mulligan keeps him under control.
Mulligan scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Church wants to control but Mulligan is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Mulligan works his way into side control.
Mulligan has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Church wants to control but Mulligan postures up.
Church is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Church manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Church wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Church wants to improve his position but Mulligan is controlling well.
Mulligan throwing shots but Church is blocking nicely.
Mulligan missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Mulligan trying to control from half guard but Church is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tortoise Church will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! 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.

Church closes the distance and clinches.
Church on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Church tries for a takedown. No joy.
Mulligan has had enough of the clinch but Church keeps him there for the moment.
Church tries to land a knee to the head but Mulligan blocks with his arms.
Mulligan tries for a takedown. No joy.
Mulligan landing knees to the body.
Mulligan trying to land knees to the body.
The is referee keeping an eye on Mulligan - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Mulligan wants a takedown but no success here.
Mulligan blocking some punches.
Mulligan goes for a takedown in the clinch but Church prevents it.
Tortoise Church has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Blackjack Mulligan.
Mulligan wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Come on Mulligan - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Mulligan goes for a takedown in the clinch but Church prevents it.
Church looking for a takedown.
Mulligan tries to land knees in the clinch but Church avoids the damage to the body.
Mulligan lands an elbow that stopped Church in his tracks for a moment.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mulligan tries to land knees in the clinch but Church avoids the damage to the body.
Mulligan has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Church is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Church trying to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Church gets underhooks to prevent Mulligan's takedown attempt.
Church is pressed up against the cage. Mulligan has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Church down to the mat. Church avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Church fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mulligan tries to clinch
and Church counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A slapping body kick lands there for Church.
Good exchange - Church coming out on top.
Tortoise Church is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
An inside leg kick lands from Church.
Church misses with a head kick.
Church circles away from the clinch attempt.

Church rushes Mulligan and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mulligan looking to stall.
Mulligan creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Mulligan has Church pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Church manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Church breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Church doesn't manage to clinch there - Mulligan circles away.
Mulligan stalks Church and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Church's face. Church staggers backwards, shaken.
Mulligan misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Church clinches with his opponent.
Church is stalling here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Church manages to break the clinch.
Church tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mulligan paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Church has a takedown stuffed.

Church gets the takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mulligan is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Church is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Church putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Mulligan is working to get back to half guard.
Church avoids the attempt from Mulligan to control.
Mulligan really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Mulligan is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mulligan flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Mulligan is looking to get to half guard.
Church lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Mulligan sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Mulligan kicks off Church and gets to his feet.
Mulligan looks to clinch
and Church counters with a nice kick to the body.
A head kick misses from Church.
Church lands a jab to the head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mulligan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mulligan tries to clinch
and Church counters with a big head kick but Mulligan shrugs it off.
Church circles away from the clinch attempt

and Church counters with a takedown into side control.
Mulligan is not content to let Church control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mulligan is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Church moves into full mount!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Church avoids the attempt from Mulligan to control.
Mulligan really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Blackjack Mulligan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mulligan slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Mulligan is pressing down on Church's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mulligan manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Church manages to get himself to full guard.
Mulligan looking to sit in guard and control but Church gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Mulligan wants to sweep here but Church controlling him for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tortoise Church showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Church, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tortoise Church!