PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between DJ Penn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeb Russell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Penn comes to the cage accompanied by Til I Collapse. Jeb Russell has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Penn
vs
Russell

176 cm
28
162 lbs
11 - 7 - 2

167 cm
28
163 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

CEC Nutrition Q160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, DJ Penn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jeb Russell!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Frank Dennis and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some bone on bone action there as Penn checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Penn takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Russell throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Russell tries to close the distance and clinch up but Penn swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Russell thows a body shot but no joy.
A nice leg kick lands there from Russell.
Penn goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Russell throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Penn scores with a jab. Russell acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Russell misses with a body kick.
Nice body kick there by Russell.
Penn scores with a head kick. Russell tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A head kick misses from Russell.
Russell tries to clinch but Penn moves away
and Penn counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Russell cracks a nice hook into Penn's ribs.
Russell is looking to clinch.
Penn closes this distance looking for a takedown but Russell circles away.
Russell ducks under a wild hook from Penn.
Russell scores with a head kick. Penn tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Penn throws out a loose jab but Russell uses good head movement to avoid it.
Russell throws a right hand that Penn ducks under and follows up with a left that Penn also avoids with ease.
Russell stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Penn checks the leg kick.
Jeb Russell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Penn shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Penn showed some decent athleticism there.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Russell is trying to maintain the position but Penn is very close to passing his half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Penn seems to be working for a kimura but Russell defends the submission attempt.
Russell is staying active underneath Penn, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn uses his free foot to push down on Russell's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Russell.
Penn thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Penn moves to back control.
Penn doesn't have the hooks in and Russell manages to turn into his guard.
Penn controls Russell momentarily but Russell frees himself.
Russell wants to get up but he can't break Penn's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Russellis looking to pass into half guard but Penn pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Penn is in guard.
Penn trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Russell keeping moving, preventing Penn from controlling successfully.
Penn postures up in Russell's guard and throws a big left but Russell blocks it.
Russell wants to stand and escape but Penn is having none of it.
Russell wants to sweep but no luck.
Russell can't keep his opponent in guard - Penn advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Penn trying to pass the guard but Russell defending well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Penn is thwarting Russell's attempts to control the position.

Penn is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Russell doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Penn.
Penn trying to pass the guard but Russell defending well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Penn wants to lay and pray for a moment but Russell keeps working.
Russell looks like he's trying to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that DJ Penn will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Penn throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Russell just misses with a punch to the body.
Russell throws a sloppy head kick and Penn moves out of range easily.
A nice inside leg kick there by Russell. That's going to slow Penn down.
Russell moves to clinch but Penn breaks away
and Penn counters with a right hand to the body.
Penn throws a chopping leg kick but Russell manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Russell closes the distance but Penn moves to the side
and Penn counters with a straight right hand.
Russell closes the distance looking to clinch

and Penn counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Russell's guard now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell trying to control the position.
Russell keeping full guard, as Penn tries to pass.
Penn is pushing down on Russell's leg trying to pass to half guard. Russell is fighting to maintain full guard but Penn has managed to sneak the leg through.

Penn is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Russell makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Russell is looking to land body kicks.

Penn shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Russell is trying to defend but Penn finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Penn is working for a kimura but Russell is defending it quite comfortably.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Russell wants to control but Penn is keeping busy.
Penn trying to pass the guard but Russell defending well.
Russell trying to control here.
Russell is trying to stand.
Penn is trying to control the action in half guard but Russell is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Penn working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Russell's thigh. Russell counters though and makes it back to full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Russell has control of Penn's left arm, preventing Penn from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn trying to control but Russell is working from the bottom.
Penn stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Russell swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Russell misses with a wild body shot.
Penn on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Russell. Russell obviously looking to wear him down.
A low kick from Russell misses

and Penn counters with a single leg into guard. Russell didn't expect that.
Penn pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Russell is keeping the position for now.
Russell is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Penn missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Penn tries to free his leg and advance position but Russell is retaining full guard.
Russell looking for a sweep. Not yet Russell, not yet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Penn pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Russell is keeping the position for now.
Russell looking to hit a scissor sweep but Penn is one step ahead there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Russell wants to stand and escape but Penn is having none of it.
Penn wants to pass the guard but Russell is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

DJ Penn dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Russell tries to close the distance and clinch up but Penn swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Russell tries to work over Penn's front leg with a kick but Penn checks it.
Russell misses with a low kick.
Russell throws a body punch but Penn moves out of range.
Penn works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Russell tries a head kick but it misses.
Penn throws a series of punches but Russell avoids them all with ease.
Russell misses the shot to the body.
Russell pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A head kick misses from Russell.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell wants to clinch.
Penn is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Penn moves out of range as Russell throws a body kick.
Penn lands with an overhand left.
Russell tries to clinch but Penn moves away
letting Penn counter with a right hand.
Russell scores with a jab to the body.
Russell finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Russell closes the distance but Penn moves to the side
and Penn counters with a nice body shot.
Russell is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Penn rather than just go for the knockout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell throws a body kick that misses.
Penn lands the left hand.
That kick from Russell tenderised Penn's leg. Penn is trying to keep his angry face on.
Jeb Russell seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Russell tries to land a front kick but Penn steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A looping hook to the body misses from Penn. Russell does a little dance to reset his feet.
Russell displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Russell throws a low kick, looking for Penn's leg but Penn calmly moves out of range.
Penn shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Russell as he jumps to the side.
Penn on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Russell. Russell obviously looking to wear him down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell feints and then cracks Penn's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Penn down.
Penn changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Russell tries to avoid it but Penn manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Russell to the ground. Russell escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Russell tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Penn manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A head kick by Russell misses
and Penn counters with a one-two to the body.
Russell throws a right hand that Penn ducks under and follows up with a left that Penn also avoids with ease.
Russell delivers a nice body kick.
Russell misses with a straight right.
Penn on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Russell. Russell obviously looking to wear him down.
Russell is looking to land body kicks.
DJ Penn is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Penn manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Russell connects with a leg kick. Penn looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Russell - that will leave a mark!
Penn takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Jeb Russell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Penn takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Russell moves in looking to clinch but Penn pushes him off.
Russell lands a high kick!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A low kick from Russell is predictable there
and Penn counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A head kick by Russell misses
and Penn counters with a right hand to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jeb Russell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Penn has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Jeb Russell!
Jeb Russell really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that CEC Nutrition Q160 logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.