PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between BJ Penn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabriel Battle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Battle comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Two Weeks kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! BJ Penn had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 146.7lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. BJ Penn could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Gabriel Battle's chin.

Penn
vs
Battle

175 cm
22
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

177 cm
18
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Syndicate Drugs
HARDCORE Fighting Brand

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, BJ Penn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gabriel Battle!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Wesley Smith and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Battle throws a series of punches but Penn moves out of range.
No joy there for Battle, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Battle looks to land a combination but Penn avoids it well.

Penn closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Penn lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Battle kicks Penn off and gets to his feet.

Penn closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Penn lands in his opponent's guard.
Penn slips nicely into half guard.
Penn passes the guard and advances to mount!

Penn has hold of Battle's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Battle manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

Penn moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Battle has worked his arm free - good work by Battle!
Battle pushes Penn away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Penn gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Battle prevents Penn from improving position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Battle wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Battle really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Penn. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Battle gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Penn is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Penn is breathing heavily.
Battle is trying to control but can't.
Penn is pressing down on Battle's thigh, looking to free his foot. Battle is holding on for now.

Battle is defending against the submission attempts here by Penn.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Battle pushes Penn off looking to stand but Penn dives back in and keeps control.

Penn is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Battle defends it well.

Penn is working for an americana but Battle has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Penn was thinking about the submission.
Penn looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Battle controls Penn momentarily but Penn frees himself.
Penn advances position into side control!

Penn tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Penn is working to tighten is grip on Battle's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Battle has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Penn is really squeezing tight and eventually Battle passes out! Penn breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:44 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). BJ Penn!