PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Neville Champman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bj Penn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bj Penn has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Champman
vs
Penn

178 cm
26
161 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

175 cm
29
165 lbs
21 - 13 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great low kicks
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Neville Champman!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 13 - 0, fighting out of London, Bj Penn!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Glass and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Penn blocks a head kick by Champman.
A leg kick checked by Penn.
Penn throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Penn lands with a nice body punch.
Penn cracks a nice hook into Champman's ribs.
Nice body punch from Penn.
Penn sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Champman. Penn shrugs it off though.
Champman misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Penn misses with a takedown attempt - Champman sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Champman drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Champman trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Penn wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Champman scoring with punches to the head and body.
Penn keeping moving, preventing Champman from controlling successfully.

Penn working for a triangle but Champman defends it easily.
Penn looking for a sweep. Not yet Penn, not yet.
Penn preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Champman content to stall in guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Penn trying to control the position.
Penn keeping moving, preventing Champman from controlling successfully.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Neville Champman wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Penn checks a leg kick.
Champman misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Champman leaves Penn with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Champman takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn throws a body punch but Champman moves out of range.
Champman gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Penn.
Champman looks for the body kick but Penn saw that one coming.
A leg kick checked by Penn.
Champman misses with a head kick.
Champman throws a solid leg kick but Penn takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Champman.
Champman throws the kick towards the body but Penn avoids it.
Champman throws a leg kick but Penn sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's four 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.
Penn lands a slapping body shot.
Penn comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
An inside leg kick from Champman misses.
Penn will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Neville Champman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bj Penn.
Nice body kick there by Champman.
Champman's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Penn connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Champman scrambles back to his feet.

Penn gets a takedown into half guard.
Champman keeping hold of Penn's head, controlling as best he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Neville Champman dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Penn cracks Champman with a good jab.
Penn digs a good hook to Champman's body.
Neville Champman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Champman throws a body kick the misses
and Penn counters with a stiff right hand.
Champman tries to move into range but Penn moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Champman explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Champman scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Penn takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Both fighters circling a little - Champman finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Penn is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Champman throws a push kick but Penn slaps the foot to one side.
Penn misses with a body punch
and Champman counters with a low kick, right behind Penn 's knee.
Penn swings widly with a right hand
and Champman counters with a nice low kick that buckles Penn's knee momentarily.
Penn is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Champman rather than just go for the knockout.
Champman tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Champman misses with a low kick.
Champman is looking to score with low kicks.
Champman throws the kick towards the body but Penn avoids it.

Penn bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Champman struggling a bit here.
Champman is trying to get back to half guard.

Penn is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Champman knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Champman tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Penn wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn is trying to ground and pound but Champman uses the momentary lack of control by Penn to regain half guard.
Champman slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Champman wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Champman utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Penn is in close to Champman's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Champman keeping full guard, as Penn tries to pass.
Champman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Penn.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Neville Champman dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Penn gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Champman to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Champman throws a strike but Penn rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Penn postures up in Champman's guard and throws a big left but Champman blocks it.

Penn has gone for a leg lock! Champman slips out almost immediately though and dives into Penn's guard.
Champman is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Champman in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Champman passes Penn's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Champman thows a huge punch but Penn dodges it nicely.
Champman wants to take a breather but Penn is having none of it.
Champman is nestled in close to Penn, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Champman missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Penn moves into full guard.

Champman avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Champman not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Champman passes into half guard.
Champman prevents Penn from improving his position.
Penn avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Champman.
Champman not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Champman wants to pass to mount but Penn is defending the position.
Champman controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Champman is keen to just control but Penn is a slippery customer.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Champman thows a huge punch but Penn dodges it nicely.
Penn is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Penn is trying to control but can't.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Penn misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Champman counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Neville Champman is winning the standup battle so far.
Penn takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Champman, right into the meat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Penn on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Champman. Champman obviously looking to wear him down.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Champman lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Penn has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Penn and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Champman misses with an attempted mid kick.

Champman closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Penn's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Champman is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Champman postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Champman won't allow Penn to sweep him here.
Champman's corner is telling him to maintain position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Neville Champman clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Champman closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Penn to the mat! Penn manages to get full guard.
Penn is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Champman forces his way into half guard.
Champman working over Penn with some ground and pound. Penn looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Neville Champman overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Champman controlling the action here.
Penn is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Champman is looking to take a break and control but Penn is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Champman not doing much here.
Champman wants to take a breather but Penn is having none of it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Neville Champman.
Champman misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Penn avoids the head kick by Champman.
Champman moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Champman throws a leg kick but Penn sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's two 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.
Penn blocks a head kick by Champman.
Penn tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Champman was well out of range. Poor timing from Penn.
Champman throws a leg kick but Penn sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Penn shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Champman defends it nicely.
Champman misses with a leg kick.
Champman explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Champman throws a leg kick

and Penn counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Penn.
Penn preventing the sweep.
Penn throws a big right hand that misses.
Penn tries to free his leg and advance position but Champman is retaining full guard.
Champman keeping moving, preventing Penn from controlling successfully.
Champman keeping full guard, as Penn tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Penn is fighting to break Champman's control of his arms but Champman is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Neville Champman has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Champman keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Penn blocks a leg kick.
A head kick misses from Champman.
Penn lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Neville Champman will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Champman tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Penn throws a sloppy body shot
and Champman counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Champman tries to land a front kick but Penn steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Champman avoids the body shot from Penn.
Penn blocks a leg kick.

Champman looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Champman tries to pass to full mount but Penn defends it.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Champman is keen to just control but Penn is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Champman sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Penn defending well though.
Champman wants to lay and pray for a moment but Penn keeps working.
Champman is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Penn is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Champman's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Champman's back!
Champman trying to control the hands but Penn breaks the grip.

Champman fending off the submission attempt from Penn.

Penn patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Bj Penn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penn controlling well, preventing Champman from escaping the position.
Penn wants to control but Champman manages to buck him off and is now in Penn's guard! Nice work there by Champman!
Champman wants to control from the top but Penn keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn is trying to control the position but Champman postures up.

Penn looking for a guillotine here but Champman defends easily.
Champman slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Champman scores with a couple of short elbows.
Penn tries to buck Champman off but Champman is having none of it.
Penn takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Champman trying to control the position but Penn is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Champman scores with punches from side control.
Champman taking a breather here.
Penn tries to buck Champman off but Champman is having none of it.
Penn is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Neville Champman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Champman takes a little break here. Penn wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Neville Champman showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Champman has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 William Gold scores the fight 50:45
Judge James Glass scores the fight 50:45
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Neville Champman!
Neville Champman retains his lightweight title!