PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Benny Howards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Corey Romziel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Howards
vs
Romziel

183 cm
20
175 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

179 cm
21
183 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Powerful

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Benny Howards!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Corey Romziel!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Hugh Johnson and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Romziel.
Howards takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Howards throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Romziel's waist but Romziel gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Howards off to one side.

Howards moves into range and clinches up with Romziel.
Romziel is stalling here.
Romziel landing knees to the head.

It looks like Benny Howards has been cut.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Romziel.
Romziel is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Romziel using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Howards struggles to land a body shot inside as Romziel controls his hands.
Romziel lands with a right to the head.
Howards takes an elbow to the forehead.
Knees to the body from Romziel.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Romziel.
Romziel comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Howards lands with a light punch inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Romziel scores with a knee to the head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Howards is trying to maintain a safe position but Romziel gets an underhook and turns Howards into the cage.
Romziel cracks Howards with a nice body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Howards fails to land.
Howards's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Stalling in the clinch from Romziel.
Romziel lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romziel'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.
Romziel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Romziel prevents Howards from breaking the clinch.
Romziel landing knees to the head.

Benny Howards's cut is getting worse.
Howards has had enough of the clinch but Romziel keeps him there for the moment.
Howards is working Romziel over against the cage.
Howards drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Howards is breathing heavily.
Howards is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Benny Howards. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Romziel'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.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Romziel connects with a nasty looking knee right to Howards's face.
Howards is looking to control Romziel's arms but Romziel gets an underhook and turns him. Now Howards has his back to the cage.
Romziel cracks Howards with a nice body shot.
Romziel scores with a shot to the side of Howards's head.
Romziel landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A short body shot lands from Romziel as the two fighters clinch.
Romziel lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Romziel manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howards misses with the head strike.
Romziel landing knees to the head.
Romziel stalling in the clinch.
Howards swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Romziel stalling.
The crowd are getting on Romziel's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Romziel lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Howards backwards.
Howards throws a punch but it's blocked by Romziel.
Howards struggles to land a body shot inside as Romziel controls his hands.
Howards takes an elbow to the forehead.
A right handed body shot lands from Romziel.
A head punch on the inside from Howards fails to land.
Romziel stalling in the clinch.
Howards tries to break free but Romziel pushes him back against the cage.
Romziel landing knees to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Romziel.
Romziel unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Howards tries for a takedown. No joy.
Howards digs a right hand into Romziel's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Romziel's gas tank.
Romziel stalling the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howards takes an elbow to the temple.
Howards letting Romziel take a breather here.
A short uppercut from Romziel.
Romziel working Howards over with knees to the body.
Romziel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Howards tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Romziel's elbow.
A hook to the body from Romziel.
Romziel working Howards over with knees to the body.
Romziel'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.
Romziel lands a shot to the body.
Romziel prevents a takedown attempt there.
Romziel unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Howards goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Romziel landing knees to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Romziel.
Romziel stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Romziel receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Howards has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Romziel is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howards can't find room to land a body shot as Romziel controls the action.
Romziel connects with a nasty looking knee right to Howards's face.

Benny Howards's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Romziel landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Romziel lands an elbow that stopped Howards in his tracks for a moment.
Romziel landing knees to the head.
Romziel is working Howards over against the cage.
Howards takes a knee right on the jaw!
Romziel avoiding damage.
A knee to the head by Romziel.
Howards wants a takedown.
Romziel stalls.
Howards is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A right hook to the body lands for Howards.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Howards swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Howards fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Howards scores with a hook to the body.
Howards throws a punch but it's blocked by Romziel.
The referee calls for Romziel to work.
Howards misses with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corey Romziel dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Benny Howards's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Howards doesn't succeed with the takedown
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
and Romziel counters with a head kick. That will keep Howards thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Howards shoots in looking for a takedown. Romziel tries to sprawl out of it but Howards keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Romziel manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Romziel stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Benny Howards. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Howards shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Howards takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Howards has closed the distance and engaged Romziel in a clinch.
Romziel working Howards over with knees to the body.
Romziel slowing the pace effectively.
Romziel lands an elbow just above Howards 's eye.
A short right from Romziel.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Howards tries to work over Romziel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Romziel digs a right hand underneath Howards's ribcage. Howards let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Howards doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Howards takes a knee right on the jaw!
Howards is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romziel stalling in the clinch.
Howards looking to slow down the pace here.
Howards being controlled against the cage.
Romziel prevents a body shot from Howards.
Howards misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Romziel lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A short right from Romziel.
A bit of stalling here from Romziel.
Howards drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Romziel gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Howards misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short right from Romziel.
Howards tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Romziel's elbow.
Romziel lands a left hand.
Romziel lands a hook to the side of the head.
Romziel throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Howards takes a knee to the side of the body.
Romziel lands a shoulder strike.
Howards misses with the head strike.
Howards swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Romziel.
Howards swings wildly with an uppercut but Romziel uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howards changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Romziel fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Romziel cracks Howards with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Romziel feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Howards's calf.
Romziel looks to land a combination. Howards sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Howards moves into the clinch.
Howards being controlled against the cage.
Romziel lands a nice uppercut.
Romziel lands a knee to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Romziel is pressed up against the cage. Howards has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Romziel down to the mat. Romziel avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Romziel fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Romziel clinches up against the cage.
Romziel blocks an uppercut.
Romziel has Howards pressed against the cage, preventing Howards from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Howards misses with a hook from the clinch.
Howards digs a right hand underneath Romziel's ribcage. Romziel let out a lung full of air as it connected.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Romziel creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Romziel lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Howards breaks from the clinch.
Romziel connects with a looping right hand.
Romziel fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Howards has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A nice combination there by Romziel.
Romziel throws a big shot that misses.
Howards tries for a takedown but Romziel circles away easily
and Romziel counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Howards fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Romziel lands a lovely overhand right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romziel works Howards's body with a nice hook.
Romziel slaps away a takedown attempt from Howards, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Romziel bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Howards's head backwards.
Benny Howards seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Howards takes one to the chin there.
Howards shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Romziel as he jumps to the side.
Romziel fails to land with a series of punches.
Romziel fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Howards on the side of the head.
Romziel stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Romziel wants it to stay on the feet.
Howards takes one to the chin there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Howards gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Howards has managed to clinch.
Howards tries for a takedown but Romziel manages to get underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corey Romziel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Benny Howards's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Romziel connects with a nice looking jab.
Romziel has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Romziel rushes Howards and presses him up against the cage.
Howards goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Romziel putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Howards in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Howards tries a body shot but Romziel blocks it.
Romziel lands with a left to the head.
A hook to the body from Romziel.
Corey Romziel seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Romziel unloads a knee to the mid-section. Howards lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Howards has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Romziel avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Romziel lands a left hand.
Howards fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A right hand to the body from Romziel.
Romziel cracks Howards with a nice body shot.
Romziel slowing the pace effectively.
Romziel lands an elbow inside that Howards shrugs off.
Romziel with a knee to the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Romziel.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Romziel throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Romziel lands a left hand.
Romziel lands a knee to the head.

Howards is rocked!
Romziel is pushing Howards up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Romziel.
Howards is trying to stall.
Romziel lands a body shot.
Howards is trying to drag Romziel to the mat but Romziel just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Romziel comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Jeez, Benny Howards's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Howards. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Come on Romziel - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Howards misses with a short punch on the inside.
Howards misses with the head strike.
Howards misses with a punch to the body.
Romziel unloads a knee to the mid-section. Howards lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Romziel connects with a nasty looking knee right to Howards's face.
Romziel prevents Howards from breaking the clinch.
Romziel is stalling here.
Romziel unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Howards tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Benny Howards. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A knee to the head by Romziel.
Howards can't find room to land a body shot as Romziel controls the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romziel lands a body punch in the clinch.
Romziel has Howards pushed against the cage.
Howards misses with a hook to the ribs.
Romziel lands an elbow that stopped Howards in his tracks for a moment.
Howards misses with a punch to the body.
Howards misses with a body punch.
Romziel is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Romziel is working Howards over against the cage.
Howards wants a takedown but no success here.
Howards swings wildly with an uppercut but Romziel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Romziel lands an elbow inside.
Romziel working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Romziel leaning against his opponent.
Howards wants a takedown.
Romziel lands a good knee to the midsection. Howards won't want to take too many of those.
Romziel lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Romziel lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Romziel lands a knee to the body.
Romziel lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Howards backwards.
Romziel utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Romziel lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howards wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Howards fails to land.
Romziel has Howards pushed against the cage.
Howards tries to score a body lock takedown but Romziel shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Romziel'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.
A hook to the body from Romziel.
Romziel blocks a body shot from Howards.
Howards tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Romziel's elbow.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Howards.
Romziel lands a right hand that snaps the head of Howards backwards.
Howards goes for a takedown attempt but Romziel pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Romziel wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Howards has taken the fight to the clinch.
Howards tries for a takedown but Romziel manages to get underhooks.
Corey Romziel is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romziel blocks a body shot from Howards.
Romziel lands a good knee to the midsection. Howards won't want to take too many of those.
Romziel keeps control of Howards as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Howards misses with a hook from the clinch.
Howards goes for a takedown in the clinch but Romziel prevents it.
Howards is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Romziel lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Howards struggles to land a body shot inside as Romziel controls his hands.
Howards can't find room to land a body shot as Romziel controls the action.
Romziel scores with a nice hook to the head.
Howards struggles to land a body shot inside as Romziel controls his hands.
A head punch on the inside from Howards fails to land.
Romziel manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Howards struggles to land a body shot inside as Romziel controls his hands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Corey Romziel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Romziel has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Corey Romziel!