PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Hemingway (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ultimate Warrior (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hemingway's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Respect. Warrior comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Ultimate Warrior Entrance kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! James Hemingway has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hemingway
vs
Warrior

195 cm
25
265 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

188 cm
27
275 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Cuts easily

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Hemingway!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ultimate Warrior!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Russell Pearce and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Warrior drives through and clinches with Hemingway against the cage.
Warrior manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Hemingway tries for a takedown but Warrior manages to get underhooks.

Warrior wants the takedown. Hemingway is fighting it off but Warrior persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Hemingway's guard against the cage.

Hemingway looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hemingway on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Hemingway tries to get out of the position.
Warrior pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hemingway is keeping the position for now.
Hemingway is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Warrior slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Hemingway tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Warrior decides to stand back up.

Warrior gets a double leg takedown into Hemingway's guard.
Hemingway keeping full guard, as Warrior tries to pass.
Warrior postures up and lands a big shot to Hemingway's brow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hemingway has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Hemingway keeping moving, preventing Warrior from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Warrior wants to get up but he can't break Hemingway's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Hemingway pulls Warrior in close to prevent any damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Warrior wants to control from the top but Hemingway keeps moving.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Warrior darts in and clinches Hemingway up against the cage.
Hemingway tries a body shot but Warrior blocks it.
Hemingway misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hemingway is fighting off a takedown attempt but Warrior is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Hemingway to the mat. Hemingway regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Hemingway keeping full guard, as Warrior tries to pass.

Hemingway scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Warrior shoots in and gets a takedown into Hemingway's guard.
Hemingway looking to hit a scissor sweep but Warrior is one step ahead there.
Warrior passes Hemingway's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Hemingway is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Warrior sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Warrior looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Warrior wants to free his trapped foot but Hemingway is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Warrior decides to stand and escape the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Warrior drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ultimate Warrior 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.

Warrior manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Hemingway on his heels. He'll look to pass Hemingway's guard now, I'm sure.
Warrior wants to control from the top but Hemingway keeps moving.
Hemingway looking to control but Warrior passes into half guard.
Hemingway is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Warrior's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Warrior's back!
Hemingway controls the position.
Hemingway has Warrior flattened out and is raining down punches.

Hemingway working for a choke but Warrior is defending well.
Hemingway controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Warrior tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Ultimate Warrior has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hemingway avoids the attempt from Warrior to control.
Warrior gets back to half guard.
Warrior has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hemingway is working away from the top position though.
Warrior moves into full guard.
Warrior looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Warrior trying to keep a closed guard but Hemingway is proving a slippery customer.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Warrior keeping moving, preventing Hemingway from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Ultimate Warrior.

Warrior drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Warrior decides to stand back up. Warrior steps back and let's Hemingway get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Warrior.

Warrior fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hemingway sprawls well initially but Warrior persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Hemingway trying to hold on to Warrior's head to control him but Warrior postures up.
Warrior trying to control the pace.

Warrior wants to work for an arm triangle but Hemingway is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Hemingway pushes Warrior off looking to stand but Warrior dives back in and keeps control.
Warrior trying to control the action but Hemingway is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Warrior seems content to control.
Hemingway is looking for a sweep. Warrior is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Warrior throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Warrior is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Warrior wants to take a breather but Hemingway is having none of it.
Warrior trying to mount his opponent but Hemingway defends it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Warrior is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ultimate Warrior showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Warrior clinches up with Hemingway and pushes him back against the cage.
Warrior tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hemingway's elbow.
Hemingway wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Warrior jumps into guard, dragging Hemingway to the mat.
Hemingway trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Warrior lands an upkick as Hemingway stands over him.
Hemingway showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Warrior had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hemingway defends it easily.
Hemingway has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Hemingway wants to pass the guard but Warrior is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hemingway wanted to stand there but Warrior had control of the position.
Warrior trying to control the position.
Warrior wants to sweep but no luck.
Hemingway trying to control but Warrior is working from the bottom.
Warrior wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Hemingway is now in half guard.

Warrior looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hemingway stands up from half guard.

Warrior shoots in and gets a takedown into Hemingway's guard.

Warrior decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Warrior closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Warrior tries to move to mount but Hemingway blocks the move with his legs.
Warrior trying to control the action but Hemingway is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Warrior is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Hemingway knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Warrior trying to control the position but Hemingway is working away.
Hemingway pushes Warrior away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Warrior gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

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.
Hemingway is trying to control Warrior's posture but Warrior avoids it.
James Hemingway has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Warrior is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hemingway is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Warrior has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Hemingway!

Warrior moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Hemingway has worked his arm free - good work by Hemingway!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Warrior advances to full mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ultimate Warrior comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Warrior has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ultimate Warrior!
After the fight, Ultimate Warrior was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.