PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Royce Garcie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Booker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Garcie
vs
Booker

178 cm
25
135 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

160 cm
20
135 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Royce Garcie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Michael Booker!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Garcie gets caught flat footed, as Booker shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Booker scoring with punches to the head and body.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Garcie is on top in guard.
Booker looking to hit a scissor sweep but Garcie is one step ahead there.
Booker lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Garcie!
Garcie is wriggling around trying to escape.
Garcie is working hard here to advance position.
Garcie wants to control but Booker is having none of it.

Booker looking for a guillotine from mount but Garcie is having none of it.
Garcie is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Booker goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Garcie turns into him and now he's in Booker's guard.
Booker looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Booker is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Booker tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Garcieis looking to pass into half guard but Booker pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Booker is in guard.
Garcie trying to control the position.
Garcie wants to sweep here but Booker controlling him for the moment.
Booker showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Garcie wants to sweep here but Booker controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Booker trying to control but Garcie is working from the bottom.
Garcie keeping full guard, as Booker tries to pass.
Garcie is trying to control the position but Booker postures up.

Booker drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Booker jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Garcie wants to sweep here but Booker controlling him for the moment.
Garcie is trying to keep Booker in close.
Garcie keeping full guard, as Booker tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garcie is trying to keep Booker in close.
Garcie tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Garcie can't keep his opponent in guard - Booker advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Garcie really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Booker not doing much here.
Garcie moves into full guard.
Booker pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Garcie is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Booker lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Booker trying to control the position from guard on top but Garcie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Garcie looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Booker sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Booker preventing the sweep.
Garcie is breathing heavily.
Booker trying to control but Garcie is working from the bottom.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Michael Booker wasn't active enough on the ground.
Booker connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Booker dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Booker drives through with a takedown into guard.
Garcie will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Booker trying to control but Garcie is working from the bottom.
Booker looking to pass the guard.

Booker drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Booker jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Booker tries to free his leg and advance position but Garcie is retaining full guard.
Booker postures up in Garcie's guard and throws a big left but Garcie blocks it.
Booker is looking to work some ground and pound but Garcie has wrist control.
Booker passes Garcie's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Garcie tries to roll over but Booker keeps him under control.

Booker looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Booker is thwarting Garcie's attempts to control the position.

Booker is trying to work for a kimura but Garcie is defending well.
Booker frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Garcie slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Booker controlling the pace.
Booker's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Garcie is looking to improve his position.
Garcie controlling the position well.
Booker trying to mount his opponent but Garcie defends it.
Booker prevents Garcie from improving his position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Booker drops an elbow to the side of Garcie's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Booker uses his free foot to push down on Garcie's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Garcie.
Garcie is squirming around, avoiding Booker's attempts to control the action.
Booker prevents Garcie from getting the reversal.

Booker quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Booker but it's paid off an Garcie is forced to tap! Nice work by Booker.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:44 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Michael Booker!