PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Karl Buss (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Agapito Batongbakal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Buss
vs
Batongbakal

190 cm
25
165 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

169 cm
25
175 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Karl Buss!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Agapito Batongbakal!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Robert Twigg and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Buss shoots in for a double leg but Batongbakal sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Buss closes the distance and pushes Batongbakal back into the cage.
Batongbakal tries to stall but Buss uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Batongbakal throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Buss blocks it with crossed arms.
Buss goes for a takedown attempt but Batongbakal pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Batongbakal swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Buss moves into the clinch.
Buss goes for a takedown attempt but Batongbakal pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Karl Buss. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Buss has his takedown stuffed
and Batongbakal counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Batongbakal lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Buss circles away quickly and effectively.

Batongbakal has Buss up against the cage in a clinch.
Buss drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Batongbakal gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Batongbakal is trying to break the clinch but Buss is controlling him.
Batongbakal is trying to break the clinch but Buss has him pressed against the cage.
Buss tries to score a body lock takedown but Batongbakal shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Buss tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Buss has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Batongbakal avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Buss.

It looks like Agapito Batongbakal has been cut.
Batongbakal wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Batongbakal looks gassed!
Buss blocks an elbow strike from Batongbakal.
Buss is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Buss manages to break the clinch.
Batongbakal throws a lazy head kick

and Buss counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Buss.

Buss pulls Batongbakal into guard.
Batongbakal is looking to stand up but Buss won't let him.
Buss wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Buss's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Batongbakal won't allow Buss to sweep him here.
Batongbakal is looking to stand up but Buss won't let him.
Buss is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Karl Buss just wasn't active enough.

Buss gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Buss with a knee to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Batongbakal.
Batongbakal is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Buss jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Batongbakal walks away with a smile on his face. Buss gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Batongbakal throws a lazy uppercut

and Buss counters by moving into the clinch.
Buss lands an elbow just above Batongbakal 's eye.
Buss wants a takedown.
Buss really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Buss manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Buss trying to control the position.
Buss looking for a sweep. Not yet Buss, not yet.
Buss looking to control.
Batongbakal stopping the sweep attempt from Buss.
Buss bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Batongbakal's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Batongbakal is working an open guard so Buss takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Buss closes this distance looking for a takedown but Batongbakal circles away.
Buss has a takedown stuffed.
Buss changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Batongbakal tries to avoid it but Buss manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Batongbakal to the ground. Batongbakal escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Batongbakal. No joy for Buss on that attempt.
Batongbakal circles away from the clinch attempt.
Batongbakal throws a combination that misses

and Buss counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Buss.

Buss jumps guard and drags Batongbakal to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Batongbakal is fighting to break Buss's control of his arms but Buss is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Batongbakal wants to stand and escape but instead Buss has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Buss passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Buss happy to just control the position for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Karl Buss will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Agapito Batongbakal's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Buss closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Batongbakal did well to prevent Buss getting side control.
Buss performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Buss looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Buss controlling the action here.
Buss throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Batongbakal is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buss looks to land a strike but Batongbakal avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Buss decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Buss tries for a takedown but Batongbakal sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Buss drives through and clinches with Batongbakal against the cage.
Buss blocks an uppercut.
Buss tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Buss pulls guard effortlessly.
Batongbakal tries to stand but Buss is controlling from the bottom.
Buss tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Buss scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Buss clinches up with Batongbakal and pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Buss scores with a knee to the head.

Buss breaks from the clinch.

Buss moves into the clinch.
Buss has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Batongbakal avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Karl Buss. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Batongbakal takes an elbow to the forehead.
Buss tries to score a body lock takedown but Batongbakal shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Buss is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Batongbakal gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Buss has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Batongbakal avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Buss drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Batongbakal gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Buss's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Buss goes for a takedown attempt but Batongbakal pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Batongbakal swings widly with a right hand

so Buss counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Buss passes Batongbakal's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Buss stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Batongbakal to get to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buss fails with a takedown attempt.
Buss lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Buss shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Buss fails with a takedown attempt.
Buss shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Batongbakal as he avoids it easily.
Buss fails in his attempt to clinch.
Agapito Batongbakal is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Batongbakal throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Buss counters by moving into the clinch.

Buss pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Buss shoots in for a takedown but Batongbakal shows good takedown defense.
Buss shoots in but no luck this time.
A low kick from Batongbakal is predictable there

and Buss counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Buss.
Buss lands an elbow inside that Batongbakal shrugs off.
Buss goes for a takedown attempt but Batongbakal pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Buss throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

Batongbakal gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Knees to the body from Buss.
Buss drops down looking for an ankle pick but Batongbakal pulls his leg out and moves away.
Buss shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Batongbakal as he avoids it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Buss moves into the clinch successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Buss dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Agapito Batongbakal's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Batongbakal tries to keep at a distance but Buss has taken the fight into the clinch.
Buss jumps guard but Batongbakal stands there with Buss around his waist. Buss gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Batongbakal wants to break the clinch but can't.
Batongbakal tries a knee to the head but Buss blocks it.
Batongbakal lands a nice uppercut.

Buss successfully pulls guard.
Buss striking from the bottom.
Buss wants to sweep but no luck.
Buss pulls Batongbakal in close to prevent any damage.
Batongbakal wants to stand but Buss has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Batongbakal takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Buss is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batongbakal would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Buss is on top in guard.
Buss's corner is telling him to maintain position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Batongbakal is working an open guard so Buss takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Batongbakal has Buss up against the cage in a clinch.
Batongbakal struggles to land a body shot inside as Buss controls his hands.
Buss displaying some good clinch control by pressing Batongbakal up against the cage.
Buss wants a takedown but no success here.

Buss manages to pull guard.

Buss has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Batongbakal off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Buss rushes Batongbakal and presses him up against the cage.

Buss has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Batongbakal uses from the top position.

Buss pushes Batongbakal off and gets back to his feet.

Buss closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Buss breaks from the clinch.
Buss shoots in and drives through. Batongbakal sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Karl Buss. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buss shoots in and drives through. Batongbakal sprawls well.
Buss feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Batongbakal's calf.

Buss darts in and clinches Batongbakal up against the cage.
Batongbakal gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Buss.
Buss connects with a nasty looking knee right to Batongbakal's face.
Buss just leaning against Batongbakal, taking a breather.
Buss changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Batongbakal fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Buss is trying hard to land a takedown here. Batongbakal sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A shot to the body from Batongbakal misses

and Buss moves into the clinch.
Buss tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Batongbakal smiles and moves away.

Buss darts in and clinches Batongbakal up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Buss jumps guard but Batongbakal stands there with Buss around his waist. Buss gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Agapito Batongbakal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Buss is stalling here.
Batongbakal struggles to land a body shot inside as Buss controls his hands.
Batongbakal doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Buss ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Buss no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Batongbakal got a little sloppy there for a moment and Buss has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Batongbakal has managed to get both his arms back between Buss's legs - danger averted.
Buss has a closed guard, preventing Batongbakal from standing up.
Karl Buss is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Batongbakal wants to stand and escape but instead Buss has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Karl Buss showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Buss, 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Karl Buss!