PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Scott Pilgrim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel Strauss (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Daniel Strauss has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Pilgrim
vs
Strauss

190 cm
23
130 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

162 cm
25
142 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Scott Pilgrim!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Daniel Strauss!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Steve Smith and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Strauss rushes Pilgrim and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Pilgrim trying to stall but Strauss improves his position.
Strauss tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Strauss is stalling here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Strauss.
The referee is keeping an eye on Strauss - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Pilgrim tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Strauss smiles and moves away.

Pilgrim instigates a clinch.
Pilgrim blocks a body shot from Strauss.
Strauss lands with a light punch inside.
Strauss prevents a takedown attempt there.
Pilgrim jumps guard but Strauss stands there with Pilgrim around his waist. Pilgrim gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Scott Pilgrim. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pilgrim can't get the takedown.
Pilgrim wants a takedown but no success here.
Strauss is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Pilgrim is defending well for now.
Strauss lands on the inside with an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Strauss creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Pilgrim wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Strauss has him pressed against the cage.
Pilgrim blocks a body shot from Strauss.
Strauss looking to throw knees to the head but Pilgrim is blocking nicely.
Strauss tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Pilgrim really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Pilgrim lands a left hand.
Strauss slowing the pace effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strauss has Pilgrim pressed against the cage, preventing Pilgrim from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Pilgrim tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Strauss just stands there and leans against the cage.
Strauss lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Pilgrim is trying to drag Strauss to the mat but Strauss just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Strauss scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Strauss lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Strauss.

Pilgrim jumps guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Pilgrim has a closed guard, preventing Strauss from standing up.
Strauss trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strauss won't allow Pilgrim to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pilgrim trying to control the position.
Pilgrim keeping full guard, as Strauss tries to pass.
Strauss looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Pilgrim shoots in for a double leg but Strauss sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Strauss closes the distance looking to clinch

and Pilgrim counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pilgrim is working for takedown but Strauss is calmly controlling the position for now.
Pilgrim tries to pull guard but Strauss holds him up against the cage and eventually Pilgrim drops back down to his feet.
Strauss blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Strauss leaning against his opponent.
Pilgrim has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Strauss is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Pilgrim is working for takedown but Strauss is calmly controlling the position for now.
A short right from Strauss.
Strauss is leaning against Pilgrim and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Strauss stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Strauss breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pilgrim fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Strauss dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Strauss wants to clinch up but Pilgrim keeps it at a distance.
Strauss wants to clinch.
Pilgrim closes this distance looking for a takedown but Strauss circles away.
Pilgrim misses with a double jab.
Pilgrim fails with the takedown.
Strauss tries to clinch but Pilgrim is having none of it.
Pilgrim circles away from the clinch attempt.
Strauss tries to close the distance and clinch up but Pilgrim swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Strauss fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Pilgrim, pushing him back against the cage.
Pilgrim being controlled against the cage.
Strauss lands an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strauss drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Pilgrim gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Strauss comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Strauss lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Pilgrim fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Scott Pilgrim. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Strauss can't find room to land a body shot as Pilgrim controls the action.
Strauss lands a shot to the body.
Strauss manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Strauss creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Pilgrim tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Strauss just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strauss working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Pilgrim jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Strauss walks away with a smile on his face. Pilgrim gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Pilgrim shoots in for a takedown but Strauss shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Strauss tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Strauss forces Pilgrim back against the cage and clinches.
Strauss missing with knees to the body.
Strauss tries to land knees in the clinch but Pilgrim avoids the damage to the body.
Strauss stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Pilgrim jumps guard but Strauss turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
A left hand lands to the body for Strauss.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Strauss lands a left hand.
Pilgrim takes an elbow to the temple.
Strauss lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strauss misses with a hook to the ribs.
Strauss creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Pilgrim's defenses.
Strauss lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Pilgrim is rocked!
Strauss creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Oh Pilgrim is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Strauss prevents Pilgrim from breaking the clinch.
Pilgrim seems to have got his legs back now.
Strauss lands an uppercut.
A short left from Strauss.
Pilgrim takes a shot to the head.
Strauss stalling against the cage.
Strauss struggles to land a body shot inside as Pilgrim controls his hands.
Strauss digs a right hand into Pilgrim's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Pilgrim's gas tank.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strauss working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Strauss is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Pilgrim stalling in the clinch but Strauss improves position.
Strauss gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Strauss gets through Pilgrim's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Pilgrim is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Strauss gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Strauss working some nice short punches in the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Strauss is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Strauss lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Pilgrim or not.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Pilgrim doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Strauss showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Pilgrim dodges an elbow strike from Strauss.
Pilgrim looking for a takedown.
Knees in the clinch landing for Strauss.
Strauss controlling the action here for a moment.
Strauss lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Strauss scores with a shoulder strike.
Strauss has Pilgrim pressed against the cage.
Nice body punch from Strauss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pilgrim is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Strauss pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pilgrim tries to pull guard but Strauss holds him up against the cage and eventually Pilgrim drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Scott Pilgrim. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Strauss takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Strauss lands an elbow that stopped Pilgrim in his tracks for a moment.
Pilgrim has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Strauss is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Strauss lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Pilgrim being controlled against the cage.
Strauss lands a shot to the body.
Strauss lands with a short shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Strauss.
Pilgrim tries to circle away but Strauss has him pinned against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Strauss.

Strauss breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pilgrim avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Daniel Strauss seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Strauss moves in looking to clinch but Pilgrim pushes him off.

Strauss clinches.
Strauss looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Strauss throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Pilgrim wants to take the fight to the mat but Strauss manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Strauss is stalling here.
Pilgrim managing to block the knees to the body from Strauss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Strauss.
Strauss wants a takedown but no success here.
Daniel Strauss seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Pilgrim tries to score a body lock takedown but Strauss shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Pilgrim prevents a body shot from Strauss.
Strauss leaning his opponent against the cage.
Strauss gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Pilgrim.
Strauss lands a body shot.
A right hand to the body from Strauss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Strauss.
Strauss working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Pilgrim tries to circle away but Strauss has him pinned against the cage.
Pilgrim is trying to pull guard but Strauss has him pressed against the cage.
Pilgrim is trying to break the clinch but Strauss is controlling him.
Strauss goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Strauss lands a left hand that snaps the head of Pilgrim backwards.
Nice body punch from Strauss - that landed with a thud.
Strauss content to slow the pace in the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Strauss works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pilgrim fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Pilgrim fails to pull the fight into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Strauss really 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.

Strauss is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Pilgrim misses with a wild combination.

Pilgrim moves into the clinch successfully.
Strauss prevents a takedown attempt there.
Pilgrim goes for a takedown attempt but Strauss pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Strauss looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Strauss tries to clinch there but Pilgrim circles away.
Strauss tries to clinch there but Pilgrim circles away.

Pilgrim gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Pilgrim has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Strauss avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Scott Pilgrim. That's going to take a lot out of him.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strauss presses Pilgrim against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Strauss manages to break the clinch.

Strauss moves into the clinch.

Strauss drops Pilgrim onto one knee with a big uppercut from the clinch! Pilgrim is propped up by the cage and works his way back to his feet!
Strauss creates some distance for himselfand unleashes a massive uppercut that sends Pilgrim's eyes rolling into the back of his head! Pilgrim drops to his knees and Strauss pours it on with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:29 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Daniel Strauss!
Daniel Strauss is the new bantamweight champion!
An out of breath Daniel Strauss thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.