PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jamie Cowlam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Garth Fourie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Cowlam might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Cant Stop. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Cowlam
vs
Fourie

180 cm
19
180 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
180 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Jamie Cowlam!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Garth Fourie!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Atkins and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cowlam shoots in looking for a takedown but Fourie manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cowlam's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Fourie takes a swing at Cowlam's ribcage but misses.
Cowlam scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Cowlam moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Fourie bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Cowlam closes the distance and pushes Fourie back into the ropes.

Cowlam turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Cowlam tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Cowlam decides to stand back up. Cowlam steps back and let's Fourie get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cowlam swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Fourie closes the distance looking to clinch
and Cowlam counters with a series of strikes. Fourie will be more careful next time no doubt.
Cowlam throws out a powerful jab.
Fourie closes the distance but Cowlam moves to the side

and Cowlam counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Fourie throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fourie being controlled against the ropes.
Fourie stalling in the clinch but Cowlam improves position.
Fourie prevents Cowlam from breaking the clinch.

Fourie ties up his opponent against the ropes and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Fourie no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Fourie avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cowlam not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Cowlam wants to get up but he can't break Fourie's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fourie is looking to stand up but Cowlam isn't so interested in that idea.

Cowlam gets to his feet. Fourie looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Fourie scores with a head kick. Cowlam tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Fourie closes the distance looking to clinch
and Fourie takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fourie throws a combination that misses

and Cowlam counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Cowlam stands up out of the half guard.
Cowlam throws a jab but it's blocked by Fourie.
Cowlam throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Fourie counters with a good, hard body kick but Cowlam shrugs it off.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fourie shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fourie tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Cowlam counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Cowlam fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cowlam is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Fourie.
Cowlam throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Fourie moves in looking to clinch but Cowlam pushes him off.

Cowlam closes the distance and pushes Fourie back into the ropes.
Cowlam on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fourie utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Fourie is pushing Cowlam up against the ropes, 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.
Fourie wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Cowlam as Fourie tries to tie him up.
Fourie lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Cowlam is trying to break the clinch but Fourie is controlling him.
Fourie tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Fourie ties up his opponent against the ropes and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Fourie no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Fourie wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Fourie avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cowlam wants to stand and escape but instead Fourie has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Fourie trying to control the position from guard on top but Cowlam is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fourie has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Cowlam is proving hard to escape from.
Fourie tries to free his leg and advance position but Cowlam is retaining full guard.
Cowlam is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fourie is stalling in the full guard.
Cowlam wants to stand and escape but Fourie is having none of it.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Garth Fourie hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Fourie with a lazy takedown attempt

and Cowlam counters by moving into the clinch.
Fourie tries to pull guard but Cowlam won't allow it.
Jamie Cowlam has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Garth Fourie.
Cowlam stops a takedown attempt from Fourie.
Fourie leaning against his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Cowlam wants to get back to striking at distance but Fourie won't allow it.
Cowlam is looking to break free of the clinch but Fourie has double underhooks.
Cowlam'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.
Fourie wants to break the clinch but can't.
Fourie is stalling here.
Fourie tries to break the clinch but Cowlam is controlling the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cowlam tries to break free but Fourie pushes him back against the ropes.
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 Jamie Cowlam will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

A head kick by Cowlam misses
and Fourie counters with a left and a right that stings Cowlam.
Cowlam bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Fourie's head backwards.
Garth Fourie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fourie doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Cowlam counters with a straight right hand.
Cowlam changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Cowlam attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Fourie scores with a shot to the body.
Cowlam tries to clinch but Fourie moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fourie leaves Cowlam with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Fourie moves to clinch but Cowlam breaks away

and Cowlam counters with a nice double leg into side control. Fourie won't be happy with that.
Fourie wants to control but Cowlam postures up.

Cowlam has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Fourie pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Cowlam back to the ropes. Fourie follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fourie closes the distance but Cowlam moves to the side

and Cowlam counters with a single leg into guard. Fourie didn't expect that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cowlam won't allow Fourie to sweep him here.
Jamie Cowlam overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fourie trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cowlam has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Garth Fourie was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Cowlam circles away from the clinch attempt
and Cowlam counters with a stiff right hand.
Cowlam darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Fourie tries to clinch but Cowlam moves away
and Cowlam cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cowlam rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Fourie counters with a flying knee. Nice.

Cowlam feints and as Fourie raises his hands in defense, Cowlam changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Cowlam wants to stand but Fourie is controlling his posture from full guard.
Cowlam showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Garth Fourie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jamie Cowlam is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Jamie Cowlam showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cowlam, 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jamie Cowlam!