PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Johny Pudzian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and AJ Styles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pudzian comes to the cage accompanied by Toony - Los (Feat. Pih & Fabuła). The key to victory for Johny Pudzian has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Pudzian
vs
Styles

215 cm
21
160 lbs
2 - 8 - 0

178 cm
23
159 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Johny Pudzian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, AJ Styles!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Donald Grub and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pudzian decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Styles is trying to stand back up but Pudzian is controlling him
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pudzian is looking to stall here but Styles recovers full guard.
Pudzian scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Pudzian trying to control the position from guard on top but Styles is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Styles is trying to control the position but Pudzian postures up.

Pudzian avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Pudzian has gone for a leg lock! Styles slips out almost immediately though and dives into Pudzian's guard.
Pudzian really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Styles tries to free his leg and advance position but Pudzian is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pudzian throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Pudzian wants to stand but Styles is controlling the position.
Pudzian keeping moving, preventing Styles from controlling successfully.
Styles looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Pudzian keeping full guard, as Styles tries to pass.
Styles stopping the sweep attempt from Pudzian.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Styles shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Styles showed some decent athleticism there.
Pudzian trying to hold on to Styles's head to control him but Styles postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Styles throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Pudzian moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Styles passes into half guard.
Styles throwing shots but Pudzian is blocking nicely.
Styles prevents Pudzian from standing back up.

Styles is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Pudzian is just riding it out for now. Styles eventually gives up the hold.
Styles trying to control the action but Pudzian is working from the bottom.

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.
Pudzian is trying to stand.
Nice strikes from Styles there.
Pudzian tries to roll over but Styles keeps him under control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Styles with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

AJ Styles dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Styles forces Pudzian back against the cage and clinches.
Pudzian tries to break free but Styles pushes him back against the cage.
Styles drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Pudzian goes for a takedown attempt but Styles pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Styles clinches with his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pudzian tries to pull guard but Styles won't allow it.
Pudzian jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Styles walks away with a smile on his face. Pudzian gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johny Pudzian. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pudzian lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Styles gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Styles avoiding damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pudzian leaning his opponent against the cage.
Pudzian jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Styles walks away with a smile on his face. Pudzian gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Styles shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Styles showed some decent athleticism there.
Styles winds up and cracks Pudzian with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Styles trying to control the action but Pudzian is working from the bottom.
Pudzian wants to get back to full guard.
Styles throwing shots but Pudzian is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Styles passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Pudzian!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Styles wants to finish this one by submission but Pudzian is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Styles.
Styles controlling from mount.
Styles postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Pudzian looks a forlorn figure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pudzian is trying desperately to improve position.
Styles landing strikes from the mount.
Styles blocks Pudzian's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Pudzian is desperately trying to improve his position but Styles has a good base and remains in mount.
Styles controlling from mount.
Pudzian wants to hold on but Styles pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Styles working for a guillotine from mount but Pudzian is in no mood to give up.
Pudzian wants to hold on but Styles pushes him away.
Pudzian is trying to escape the mount.
Styles tries to control but Pudzian wriggling away.
Pudzian working to try and regain half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pudzian is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

AJ Styles showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Pudzian's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Styles closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Styles lands in his opponent's guard.
Styles preventing the sweep.

Styles gets to his feet. Pudzian looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Pudzian gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Pudzian is trying to maintain a safe position but Styles gets an underhook and turns Pudzian into the cage.

Styles breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Styles shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Still in half guard, Styles seems content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pudzian is trying to stand back up but Styles is controlling him

Styles decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Styles tries to close the distance and clinch up but Pudzian swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Johny Pudzian is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Pudzian gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Pudzian escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Styles gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Pudzian is trying to keep Styles in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Styles not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
AJ Styles has got the better of the ground game so far.

Pudzian looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Styles passes into half guard.
Styles with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Styles is keen to just control but Pudzian is a slippery customer.
Styles trying to advance position but Pudzian counters by regaining guard.
Styles wants to stand and escape but instead Pudzian has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

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.

Styles working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pudzian doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pudzian manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Pudzian trying to control but Styles is working from the bottom.
Styles is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Johny Pudzian has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
AJ Styles is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Pudzian has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Pudzian drops back, looking for a kneebar! Styles looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Styles looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Styles!

And that's the end of the fight!
AJ Styles comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Styles winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... AJ Styles!