PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bobby Strickland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Wright (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Bobby Strickland has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Strickland
vs
Wright

170 cm
18
144 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

170 cm
18
142 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Prefers standup

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

BLKOUT Clothing
BLKOUT Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bobby Strickland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Anthony Wright!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shigeki Sano and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A left lands for Strickland.
No luck for Wright with that takedown attempt.
Strickland swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Wright takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Strickland throws the left hand but Wright avoids the punch easily.
Strickland misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Wright.
A big right from Strickland misses.
A swing and a miss from Strickland.
The fighters circle momentarily. Strickland darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Strickland misses with an uppercut. Wright saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strickland lands a slapping body shot.
Strickland with a hook.
Strickland misses with a body shot.
Wright tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Strickland swivels and escapes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lazy left from Strickland finds it's target.
Strickland lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Wright bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Strickland throws a low kick, looking for Wright's leg but Wright calmly moves out of range.
Wright closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Bobby Strickland seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Strickland does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Strickland tests Wright's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Wright bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Wright throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Strickland works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

Wright is trying to work for a kimura but Strickland is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strickland is trying to stand back up but Wright is controlling him
Wright not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Strickland blocking the ground and pound attempt from Wright.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wright seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Wright working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Strickland on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Strickland tries to get out of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wright is trying to control. Strickland wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Strickland is defending against the submission attempts here by Wright.
Wright trying to advance position but Strickland counters by regaining guard.
Wright showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's four 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.
Wright wants to control from the top but Strickland keeps moving.
Wright controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Wright wants to control from the top but Strickland keeps moving.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Wright showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Anthony Wright was stalling too much, according to the referee.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Strickland, right into the meat.
Strickland looks to land a left hand but Wright moved out of range nicely.
Wright avoids a punch combination nicely.
Wright avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Jab, jab by Strickland - just one landing.
Strickland ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Wright blocks a jab.
Strickland swings for the body but Wright moves out of range.
A leg kick checked by Wright.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Strickland scores with a decent looking hook.
Wright shoots in but Strickland avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Bobby Strickland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthony Wright.
Wright chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Strickland can pounce on him.
Wright shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Strickland pinned against the cage. Strickland gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Strickland throws a looping overhand right but Wright ducks down to avoid it.
Strickland lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Wright circles away quickly and effectively.
Strickland throws a body punch but Wright moves out of range.
Strickland jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Wright ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Wright on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Strickland scores with a decent looking hook.
Wright misses with a wild body shot.
Strickland is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Strickland looks to throw the jab but Wright is out of range.
Strickland dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wright checks a leg kick.
Wright dives in and grabs Strickland's left leg, looking for a takedown. Strickland pushes down on Wright's head and hops out.
Strickland jabs at Wright's body.
Strickland misses with a looping left.
Strickland lands with a shot to the body.
Strickland looks to land a left hand but Wright moved out of range nicely.
Strickland lands with a shot to the body.
Strickland throws a right hand that Wright ducks under and follows up with a left that Wright also avoids with ease.

That's eight 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.
Strickland throws a looping overhand right but Wright ducks down to avoid it.
Wright defending well as Strickland loads up on a big left hand.
The fighters circling - Strickland throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Wright shoots in but Strickland avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Strickland lands a body shot.
Wright shoots in looking for a takedown but Strickland manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Wright's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Wright shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Strickland as he jumps to the side.
Wright blocks a leg kick.
Strickland connects with a body shot that sends Wright's belly button to the back.
A slow jab from Strickland misses its intended target.
Strickland moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Strickland lands a really nice looking cross but Wright seems unphased.
Strickland punishes Wright's body with a nice straight punch.
Strickland moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Strickland connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Wright momentarily.

Wright throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Strickland tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Wright is in Strickland's guard.
Wright stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Strickland swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Strickland utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Strickland avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Wright trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bobby Strickland dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Wright takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Strickland scores with a hook.

Strickland gets caught flat footed, as Wright shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Wright stands and throws Strickland's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Wright lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Strickland down.
Wright in side control lands a decent elbow.
The ground and pound from Wright seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Wright is looking to take a break and control but Strickland is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Strickland wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wright misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Wright throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Wright postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Strickland tries to escape but Wright is in control.

Wright tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Wright has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The referee asks Wright politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Wright prefers to stall for the moment though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strickland is trying to buck Wright off.
Sloppy strikes there by Wright.
Strickland managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Wright.
Strickland is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Wright has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Strickland is trying to improve his position.
Wright trying to control the action but Strickland is working from the bottom.
Wright might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Strickland kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Strickland managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Wright.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Strickland managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Wright.
Wright trying to control the position but Strickland is working away.
You can see the frustration on Strickland's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Wright thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Wright trying to control the position but Strickland is working away.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Wright scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Strickland to see if he's OK.
Strickland takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Wright tries to score with some ground and pound. Strickland controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Strickland takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Strickland is working to avoid the ground and pound but Wright connects with a decent elbow.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Wright working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Wright in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Strickland is not content to let Wright control the position.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Wright working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Wright is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Strickland knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The strikes coming from Wright are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's eight 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.

Wright tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Wright has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Wright wants to control but Strickland is keeping him busy.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Strickland parries the strikes from Wright easily there. Wright is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Strickland to escape.

Wright working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Wright scoring with punches and elbows.
Wright is working Strickland over with some ground and pound from side control.
Wright throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Wright comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Anthony Wright!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Anthony Wright!
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Anthony Wright!

Anthony Wright wins by unanimous decision!