PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Freddy Paul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Justin Hale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Paul
vs
Hale

171 cm
20
162 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Freddy Paul!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Justin Hale!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Donatello Bradman and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hale fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Paul shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hale defends it nicely.
Paul shoots in for a takedown but Hale shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Paul gets a takedown into half guard.
Hale is refusing to be controlled, as Paul sits in half guard.
Hale tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Hale has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hale moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hale lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Paul!
Hale looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hale landing punches.
Paul tries to reverse the position but Hale maintains control.
Hale throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Hale content just to control the position here.
Paul wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Hale.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Paul wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Hale.
Paul tries to hold on but Hale pushes him away.
Paul is looking to get to half guard.
Hale looking to control but Paul is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hale has control of Paul's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Paul regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Paul is breathing heavily.
Hale unloading with bombs!
Hale looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Hale throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Paul because Hale loaded up on that one.
Paul knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hale on the ground.
Hale lands a nice shot to the head.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hale jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Paul is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Paul and Hale has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Hale controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hale throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Hale tries to score with some ground and pound. Paul controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Hale trying to control the position but Paul is working away.

Hale looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Hale remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hale advances nicely into full mount.
Hale tries to control but Paul wriggling away.
Hale with a couple of short strikes.
Hale looking to control but Paul is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
A nice elbow there by Hale.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hale pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

Hale looking to isolate an arm here. Paul doesn't see it coming and as Hale extends the arm, he's forced to tap out! Nice submission by Hale!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Justin Hale!