PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between John Panther (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Bear (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.

Panther
vs
Bear

184 cm
24
179 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

184 cm
24
177 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Panther!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Bear!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Frank Dennis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bear moves to clinch but Panther breaks away
and Panther counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Panther wants to land a leg kick but Bear is out of range.
Bear throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Bear closes this distance looking for a takedown but Panther circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bear looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bear wants to clinch up but Panther keeps it at a distance.
Panther attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Bear lands a jab-cross combination.
Panther throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bear counters with a thumping low kick.
Panther throws a combination. Bear tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Bear wants to clinch.
Bear avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bear shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Panther napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Bear wants to lay and pray for a moment but Panther keeps working.
Panther managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Bear.
Bear throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Bear with the ground and pound but Panther regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Bear thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bear trying to control from half guard but Panther is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bear decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Bear tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Panther swivels and escapes.
Bear darts in trying to clinch
and Panther makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Panther will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Bear shoots for a takedown but Panther saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
John Panther has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Bear.
Bear shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Panther but Panther pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bear rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Panther counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bear shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Panther counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bear loads up on a big right hand but Panther slips the punch.
John Panther is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Panther thows a leg kick but Bear checks it

and Bear counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Panther is looking to stand up but Bear isn't so interested in that idea.
Panther trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bear accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bear trying to control the position from guard on top but Panther is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bear thows a big elbow that misses.
Panther on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Panther tries to get out of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Panther wants to stand and escape but Bear is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Panther keeping moving, preventing Bear from controlling successfully.

John Bear has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Panther misses with a double jab

and Bear counters with a single leg into guard. Panther didn't expect that.
Panther working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bear.
Bear trying to control the position from guard on top but Panther is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bear thows a big elbow that misses.
Bear scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Bear dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

No luck for Bear with that takedown attempt.
Bear misses with a double jab.
Panther misses with a body punch

and Bear decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Panther's guard.
Panther wants to stand up but Bear is controlling him.
Bear tries to free his leg and advance position but Panther is retaining full guard.

Bear gets to his feet - Panther follows without any prompting.
John Bear seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A low kick from Bear misses
and Panther counters with a three punch combo that has Bear backing up. Bear nods at Panther to acknowledge the strikes.
Bear lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Bear tries to score a power double leg takedown but Panther sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bear somewhat.
Panther pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bear shoots in and drives through. Panther sprawls well.
John Panther has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Bear.
Bear fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Panther avoids it really well and circles away.
Bear will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nice sprawl there from Panther as Bear shoots in.
Panther misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Panther listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Panther throws a right and a left that Bear avoids nicely.
Bear tries to clinch but Panther moves away
and Panther counters with a left and a right that stings Bear.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bear throws a nice outside leg kick.
Panther throws a combination that misses
and Bear counters with a three punch combo that has Panther backing up. Panther nods at Bear to acknowledge the strikes.
Bear closes this distance looking for a takedown but Panther circles away.

Bear throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Panther was covering up waiting for the punch and Bear finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Bear is breathing heavily.
Panther wants to stand up but Bear is controlling him.
Bear landing with the ground and pound.
Bear throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Panther works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panther wants to stand up but Bear is controlling him.

Panther pushes Bear off and gets back to his feet.
John Panther is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bear fails in his attempt to clinch.

Bear gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Panther is trying to break the clinch but Bear is controlling him.
Bear keeps control of Panther as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Bear's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Panther throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bear counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bear tries to clinch there but Panther circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bear tries to clinch up.
Bear fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A jab from Bear misses.
Bear tries to clinch up.
Panther misses with a series of wild punches.
Bear throws a combination. Panther tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Bear throws a quick inside leg kick.
Panther fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Bear has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bear tries to clinch but Panther is having none of it.
Bear checks a low kick from Panther.
Bear connects with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but John Bear will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Bear is looking to clinch but Panther is avoiding it.
Bear connects with a leg kick. Panther looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Bear checks a low kick from Panther.

Bear instigates a clinch.
Bear tries to score a body lock takedown but Panther shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Bear with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Bear has Panther pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Panther manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Panther has had enough of the clinch but Bear keeps him there for the moment.

Bear manages to break the clinch.
Bear throws a hook but Panther blocks it.
Bear throws a left and a right that both miss
and Panther counters with a two punch combo.
Bear tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Panther makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Panther rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bear moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bear shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
John Panther has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Bear.
Bear throws a leg kick but Panther sees it coming and moves out of range.
Bear shoots for a takedown but Panther saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bear takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bear shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Panther as he avoids it easily.
Panther lands a two punch combo.
Bear fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bear looks to clinch
enabling Panther to counter with a crisp jab.
Bear dodges the punch combination from Panther.
Danga de danga de dang - Panther scores with a four punch combination!
Panther misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bear fails to land the takedown.
No joy there for Panther, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bear fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bear moves in looking to clinch but Panther pushes him off.
Panther throws a leg kick that misses.
Panther displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bear.
Panther scores with a jab.
Panther misses with a looping right.
Panther keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bear slips a jab and a cross from Panther.

Bear shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Bear was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Panther is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Bear looking to ground and pound but Panther is blocking nicely.
Bear lands a big elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bear looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Panther is squirming around, avoiding Bear's attempts to control the action.
Bear thowing shots but they're missing.
Bear tries to control but Panther wriggling away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bear sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Panther clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A punch combination from Bear misses.
Panther misses with a low kick.
Bear shoots in looking for a takedown. Panther tries to sprawl out of it but Bear keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Panther manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Bear looks for a takedown but Panther sprawls well.
Panther misses with a jab, cross combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bear stalks Panther and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Panther's face. Panther staggers backwards, shaken.

Bear clinches with his opponent.
Bear lands with a short shot to the head.
Bear throws an elbow but it misses.
Panther is looking to break free of the clinch but Bear has double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bear lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Panther breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bear throws a combination that misses
and Panther counters with an inside leg kick.
Bear swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Panther connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Panther throws the left hand but Bear avoids the punch easily.
Panther slaps away a takedown attempt from Bear, before circling back to the center of the mat.
John Panther has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Bear.
Panther throws a leg kick but Bear sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Bear tries for a takedown but Panther sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Panther takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Panther stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Panther wants it to stay on the feet.
Bear is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Bear fails to land the takedown.
Bear has his takedown stuffed
and Panther counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Panther lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Bear tries to clinch up but Panther circles away and keeps his distance.
Bear misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Panther motions for Bear to come forward. Panther throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Panther lands a jab.
Panther throws a leg kick that is checked
and Bear counters with a one-two to the body.
Panther fails to land with a series of punches.
Bear closes the distance looking to clinch
and Panther counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Panther!
Panther tries to bum rush Bear with a series of wild strikes but Bear uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Panther connects with a crisp jab.
Bear shoots in but Panther avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Bear tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Panther counters with a left to the body.
Bear shoots in for a double leg but Panther sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Panther lands with a thumping leg kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Panther.
Panther lands a nice shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Panther connects with a solid leg kick.
Panther pivots, looking for a leg kick but Bear is out of range and Panther settles back down.
Panther tries to score with a low kick but Bear moves his leg out of the way.
Bear tries to score a power double leg takedown but Panther sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bear somewhat.
Panther misses with the combination.
Panther buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Panther throws a nice looking combination but Bear bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Panther just misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Panther had his way with John Bear in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Bear tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Panther paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bear rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Panther moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bear stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Panther.
No luck for Bear with that takedown attempt.
Bear bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Panther's head.
John Panther is winning the standup battle so far.
Bear moves to clinch but Panther breaks away
and Panther counters with an outside leg kick.
Panther cracks Bear with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Bear misses with a left hand
and Panther makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Bear really felt that one!
A telegraphed right hand from Bear misses the target.
Bear is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Bear checks a low kick from Panther.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bear tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Panther counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Panther rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bear moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Panther connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Panther lands with an uppercut that bounces Bear off the cage and back into rage.
Bear showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Panther.
Bear moves to clinch but Panther breaks away
and Panther counters with a nice leg kick.
Panther throws a combination. Bear tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Panther fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Panther goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Bear gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bear has had enough of the clinch but Panther keeps him there for the moment.
Panther has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Bear has Panther pressed against the cage, preventing Panther from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Panther breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bear misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Panther shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Panther has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Panther there as he acknowledges the shot.
Bear moves out of range of the leg kick from Panther.
Bear lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Panther will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Panther throws a chopping leg kick but Bear manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Bear throws a nice looking combination but Panther bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panther throws a combination that misses

and Bear counters with a nice double leg into guard.
John Bear has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bear throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bear stands up over Panther, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Panther keeping moving, preventing Bear from controlling successfully.
Bear throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Panther works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bear loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bear working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bear looking to sit in guard and control but Panther gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bear bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Panther's guard.
Bear postures up in Panther's guard and throws a big left but Panther blocks it.
Bear trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Panther avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Panther wants to stand and escape but Bear is having none of it.
Bear thows a big elbow that misses.
Bear chips away with some ground and pound.
Bear makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to John Panther.
I think Panther has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 48:47
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 48:47
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Panther!
John Panther retains his welterweight title!