PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between John Black (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cid Highwind (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Black
vs
Highwind

175 cm
28
180 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

182 cm
29
180 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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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 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, John Black!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Cid Highwind!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Robert Douchet and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Black slips a jab and a cross from Highwind.
Highwind has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

It looks like Cid Highwind has been cut.
A combination from Black does no damage.
Black fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Highwind is out of range.
Black tries to score a power double leg takedown but Highwind sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Black somewhat.

Black gets a clinch.

Highwind has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Black uses from the top position.
Black working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Black postures up in Highwind's guard and throws a big left but Highwind blocks it.
Highwind keeping moving, preventing Black from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Highwind looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Highwind preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Black wants to control from the top but Highwind keeps moving.
Black postures up in Highwind's guard and throws a big left but Highwind blocks it.
Black trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Highwind trying to control the position.
Black is looking to stand up but Highwind won't let him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Highwind is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Black defends well.
Black preventing the sweep.
Black loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Highwind is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Black with a flurry of punches that miss.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Black accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black trying to control but Highwind is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up because John Black just wasn't active enough.

Black rushes Highwind and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Black lands an uppercut.

Black has hold of one of Highwind's legs. Highwind is fighting the takedown attempt but Black gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Black gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black throws a low kick but it's checked well by Highwind.
Black misses with a low kick.
Highwind swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Black.
Black lands with a shot to the body.
Black tries to work over Highwind's front leg with a kick but Highwind checks it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Black shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Highwind sprawls well. Highwind wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Black gets slowly back to his feet.
Black misses with a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Black dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Cid Highwind's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Highwind looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Black is fending him off so far but Highwind persists. Nope, Black circles away and we're back to standing.

Black dives in and scores a takedown into Highwind's guard.
Black stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Highwind swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Black trying to control the position from guard on top but Highwind is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Black makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Black is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Black postures up in Highwind's guard and throws a big left but Highwind blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Highwind is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Black controlling from the top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because John Black just wasn't active enough.
Black tries to score with a low kick but Highwind moves his leg out of the way.
Black takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Highwind looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Black tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Black throws the kick towards the body but Highwind avoids it.
Highwind looks for a takedown but Black sprawls well.
Black will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Black slips a jab and a cross from Highwind.
Black lands with a cross.
Highwind shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Black sprawls well. Black wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Highwind gets slowly back to his feet.
John Black has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cid Highwind.

Black has managed to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Black is trying to trip Highwind. He has hold of a leg but Highwind is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Black persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Black wants to control from the top but Highwind keeps moving.
Black with a flurry of punches that miss.

Highwind is working an open guard so Black takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Highwind blocks a head kick by Black.
Black misses with a jab, cross combination.
John Black is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Highwind jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Black clinches up with Highwind and pushes him back against the cage.
Highwind jumps guard but Black turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Highwind jumps guard but Black stands there with Highwind around his waist. Highwind gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Highwind jumps guard but Black stands there with Highwind around his waist. Highwind gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Black working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Black lands an elbow inside that Highwind shrugs off.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Black digs a right hand underneath Highwind's ribcage. Highwind let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Highwind tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Black digs a right hand into Highwind's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Highwind's gas tank.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Black lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Black lands a right hand that snaps the head of Highwind backwards.
Black throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Highwind blocks it with crossed arms.
Black looking to throw knees to the head but Highwind is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Black dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Cid Highwind's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Highwind lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Black circles away quickly and effectively.
Black throws a shot from downtown. Highwind moves away and avoids it.
Black throws a chopping leg kick but Highwind manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Highwind has a takedown stuffed.
Highwind scores with a crisp jab that stopped Black in his tracks.

Black has Highwind up against the cage in a clinch.
Black lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Highwind or not.
Highwind tries to score a body lock takedown but Black shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Highwind goes for a takedown attempt but Black pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
John Black has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cid Highwind.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Highwind checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Black fails with the takedown.
Highwind avoids a punch combination nicely.

Black looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Black stands up and waves to Highwind to follow him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Black is trying hard to land a takedown here. Highwind sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Black looks to throw the jab but Highwind is out of range.
Black scores with a one two! Highwind had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Black shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Black working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Black throws a strike but Highwind rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Highwind advances to half guard.
Black is looking for a sweep. Highwind is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Highwind missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Highwind is pressing down on Black's thigh, looking to free his foot. Black is holding on for now.
Highwind is thwarting Black's attempts to control the position.
John Black is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Black is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black controlling the position for now.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Highwind is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Cid Highwind has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Black keeping hold of Highwind's head, controlling as best he can.
Highwind trying to pass the guard but Black defending well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Black is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Black showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Black has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Black!
John Black managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Empire Threads - The Best $15 You've Ever Spent!, into his post fight interview.