PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Blake Axe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dupree Owens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Axe kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is For Whom the Bell Tolls. Dupree Owens will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Axe
vs
Owens

180 cm
22
177 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

181 cm
20
179 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

BJJ Purple 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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Blake Axe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Dupree Owens!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Donald Grub and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Axe clinches.

Owens has hold of one of Axe's legs. Axe is fighting the takedown attempt but Owens gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Owens trying to control the position from guard on top but Axe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Owens throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Owens trying to control but Axe is working from the bottom.
Owens working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Owens throws a big right hand that misses.
Axe keeping moving, preventing Owens from controlling successfully.

Owens avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Owens missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Axe trying to control the position.
Owens trying to control but Axe is working from the bottom.
Owens is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Axe is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Owens thows a big elbow that misses.
Owens working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Axe looking for a guillotine here but Owens defends easily.

Owens got a little sloppy there for a moment and Axe has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Owens has managed to get both his arms back between Axe's legs - danger averted.

Owens got a little sloppy there for a moment and Axe has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Owens has managed to get both his arms back between Axe's legs - danger averted.
Axe looking to control.

Axe looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Owens has picked Axe up and slammed him! Axe can't keep hold of the triangle and Owens manages to pass to side control!
Axe is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Owens throws an elbow but Axe slips to the side and avoids it well.
Axe taking a bit of punishment here - Owens scoring with strikes.

Owens decides to take the fight back to the feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Owens misses with a wild body shot.
Owens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Owens throws a body punch but Axe moves out of range.
Owens looks to land a combination. Axe sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Owens shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Axe manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Owens wants to get up but he can't break Axe's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Axe working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Owens.
Axe looking to control.

Axe looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Owens missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Owens wants to get up but he can't break Axe's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Axe looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Axe looking to control but Owens passes into half guard.
Axe trying to control here.
Axe avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Owens.
Owens tries to pass the half guard into mount. Axe knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Axe moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Axe is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Axe is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Owens defends well.

Axe is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Owens is aware though and is defending well.
Axe is breathing heavily.
Owens throwing strikes from guard but Axe blocks nicely.
Axe utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Axe preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Owens with a flurry of punches that miss.

Owens drops back looking for a leg! Axe is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Axe manages to kick Owens off! Owens jumps back into Axe's guard.
Owens with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Owens takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Axe throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Owens's waist but Owens gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Axe off to one side.
Axe tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Owens paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Owens defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Axe.
Owens takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Owens circles away from the clinch attempt.
A combination from Owens does no damage.
Blake Axe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Axe looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Axe shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Blake Axe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Owens avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Axe gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Axe is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Owens is keeping busy.
Axe tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Owens trying to stall but Axe improves his position.
Axe lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Owens lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Owens thows a huge punch but Axe dodges it nicely.
Axe avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Owens.

Axe is defending against the submission attempts here by Owens.
Axe trying to control but Owens postures up.

Owens wants to work for an arm triangle but Axe is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Dupree Owens has got the better of the ground game so far.
Axe wants to get back to full guard.
Axe is trying to maintain the position but Owens is very close to passing his half guard.

Axe actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Axe actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Owens is looking to take a break and control but Axe is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Axe has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Owens is working away from the top position though.

Owens is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Axe is just riding it out for now. Owens eventually gives up the hold.
Axe wants to get back to full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
It looks like Owens is going to stand back up.
Axe wants to control but Owens is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Owens is looking for a kimura here.

Axe looking for submissions off his back.
Owens trying to control the action but Axe is working from the bottom.
Owens missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Axe manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Axe looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Owens in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Axe escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Owens gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Axe looking to control.

Owens thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Axe is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Owens working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Owens is looking to work some ground and pound but Axe has wrist control.
Owens has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Axe is proving hard to escape from.
Axe utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Blake Axe will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Owens uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Axe.
Owens takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Axe showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Owens.
Axe tries to clinch up but Owens circles away and keeps his distance.
Axe tries for a takedown but Owens sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Axe tries for a takedown but Owens circles away easily
letting Owens counter with a right hand.
Axe's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Axe duly obliges.
Owens throws a lazy right hand but Axe sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Axe tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Owens manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Owens swings for the body but Axe moves out of range.

Owens darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Axe is defending against the submission attempts here by Owens.
Axe gets full guard.

Axe looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Owens thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Axe working for a triangle but Owens defends it easily.
Owens wants to pass the guard but Axe is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Axe avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Owens with a nice head shot there.
Owens with a flurry of punches that miss.
Owens throws a big right hand that misses.

Axe looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Axe throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Owens stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Axe swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Owens trying to control the position from guard on top but Axe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Owens wants to stand but Axe has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Axe is trying to keep Owens in close.
Owens is looking to work some ground and pound but Axe has wrist control.

Owens drops back looking for a leg! Axe is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Axe manages to kick Owens off! Owens jumps back into Axe's guard.
Owens wants to control from the top but Axe keeps moving.

Owens throws a sloppy strike and Axe has hooked up an armbar on the loose arm! He's turned and extended fully! Owens is forced to tap! Great BJJ from Axe!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:04 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Blake Axe!