PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mark Edwards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josef Dellal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Edwards might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The Who - Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Edwards
vs
Dellal

180 cm
25
197 lbs
15 - 7 - 1

177 cm
25
192 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Mark Edwards!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Josef Dellal!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Eliza Hachem and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dellal takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Dellal throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Edwards's waist but Edwards gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Dellal off to one side.
A good leg kick by Edwards.
Edwards scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Edwards throws a leg kick which misses Dellal's front leg but catches the back leg as Dellal tries to avoid it.
Dellal fails with a takedown attempt.
Edwards takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Dellal shoots in for a takedown but Edwards shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Mark Edwards has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josef Dellal.
Dellal shoots in and drives through. Edwards sprawls well.

Dellal closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Edwards quickly recovers to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Edwards is looking for a sweep. Dellal is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Dellal is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Edwards has managed to free his arm - good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Edwards tries to roll over but Dellal keeps him under control.
Dellal trying to control from half guard but Edwards is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dellal might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Edwards kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Edwards tries to get to full guard but Dellal has control of the leg.

Edwards is defending against the submission attempts here by Dellal.
Edwards is looking to improve his position.

Dellal is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Edwards is defending against the submission attempts here by Dellal.
The fighters are battling for position here. Edwards manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dellal postures up.
Dellal loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Edwards keeping full guard, as Dellal tries to pass.
Dellal trying to control the position from guard on top but Edwards is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Edwards seems keen to control Dellal's posture.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Dellal misses with a takedown attempt - Edwards sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Edwards stuffs the takedown attempt from Dellal. Dellal gets slowly back to his feet.
Edwards lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dellal looking to score a takedown here. Edwards is defending well but Dellal drives through and ends up in Edwards's guard.

Edwards looking for a guillotine here but Dellal defends easily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Edwards not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Edwards keeping full guard, as Dellal tries to pass.
Dellal trying to control the position from guard on top but Edwards is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Edwards looking to control.
Edwards 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dellal landing with the ground and pound.
Dellal passes Edwards's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Dellal trying to pass the guard but Edwards defending well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice strikes from Dellal there.
Edwards tries to roll over but Dellal keeps him under control.
Dellal moves nicely into side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dellal advances to full mount.
Dellal seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Edwards is holding on tight.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josef Dellal dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Edwards throws a head kick but Dellal moves out of range.
Edwards shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Dellal eats them both and turns towards Edwards to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Dellal fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Edwards avoids it really well and circles away.
A solid leg kick lands there for Edwards.
Dellal on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Edwards chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Edwards looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Horrible takedown by Dellal or perhaps it was just good defense by Edwards which made him look bad.
Edwards thows a body kick. Dellal tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Dellal is trying hard to land a takedown here. Edwards sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mark Edwards has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josef Dellal.
Edwards scores with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dellal takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Dellal is breathing heavily.
Edwards lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Edwards explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Edwards lands a body shot.
Mark Edwards is winning the standup battle so far.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Edwards.
Edwards throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nice sprawl there from Edwards as Dellal shoots in.
Edwards scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Dellal's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
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!
Dellal takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Josef Dellal is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A good leg kick by Edwards.
Good leg kick by Edwards there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Edwards throws a quick inside leg kick.
Dellal takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Edwards lands a high kick!

It looks like Josef Dellal has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edwards lands a head kick!
Edwards lands a nice looking body kick.
Edwards connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Edwards connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Dellal momentarily.
Dellal on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A slapping leg kick lands for Edwards.
Good leg kick by Edwards there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Edwards lands a lovely overhand right.
Edwards throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Dellal's head.
Edwards throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Dellal's head.
Edwards bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
A jab from Edwards does it's job there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Edwards connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Edwards jabs Dellal right on the nose. Dellal blinks but takes it well.
Dellal shoots in for a takedown but Edwards shows good takedown defense.
Dellal on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Edwards, right into the meat.
Left hook, right uppercut from Edwards.

That has opened up Josef Dellal's cut even more.
Edwards connects with a high kick.
Edwards scores with a push kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dellal takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Dellal takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Edwards throws a shot to the body.
Dellal takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A chopping leg kick lands by Edwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edwards cracks the inside of Dellal's front leg.
Nice body kick there by Edwards.
Dellal takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Dellal has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Edwards.
Dellal takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Good leg kick by Edwards there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Edwards throws a leg kick which misses Dellal's front leg but catches the back leg as Dellal tries to avoid it.
Dellal takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Edwards bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Edwards with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Edwards turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Edwards lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Edwards lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Dellal on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Edwards. Edwards obviously looking to wear him down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Edwards dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Josef Dellal's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Nice body kick from Edwards.
Edwards tests Dellal's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Dellal has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Edwards.
Dellal shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Edwards as he avoids it easily.
Edwards getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Edwards connects with an inside leg kick.
Dellal tries to bum rush Edwards with a series of wild strikes but Edwards uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Edwards moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Edwards lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Edwards scores with a leg kick.
Dellal takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Edwards lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Dellal takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Edwards. Dellal shrugs it off though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dellal's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Edwards connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Dellal scrambles back to his feet.
Dellal takes one on the button.
Edwards moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Dellal on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Edwards. Edwards obviously looking to wear him down.
A left lands for Edwards.
Edwards chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Nice body kick there by Edwards.
Edwards lands a jab to Dellal's midsection.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Edwards dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Dellal. That did some damage!
Edwards throws a leg kick which misses Dellal's front leg but catches the back leg as Dellal tries to avoid it.
Edwards lands with an overhand left.
Edwards dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dellal takes a kick to the side of the head.
Edwards scores with a head kick. Dellal tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Edwards lands a right hook to the body.
Dellal has a takedown stuffed.
Mark Edwards is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Edwards scores with a nice head shot.
A nice inside leg kick there by Edwards. That's going to slow Dellal down.
Dellal chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Edwards can pounce on him.
Dellal takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Edwards throws a nice inside leg kick.
Edwards scores with a kick to the midsection.
Dellal rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Edwards moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Edwards scoring well with a low kick there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Edwards. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Edwards.
That kick from Edwards tenderised Dellal's leg. Dellal is trying to keep his angry face on.
Dellal takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Edwards buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Edwards works Dellal's body with a nice hook.
Edwards connects with an inside leg kick.
Edwards listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Dellal takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
That kick from Edwards tenderised Dellal's leg. Dellal is trying to keep his angry face on.
Edwards lands a nice leg kick that just misses Dellal's sensitive parts.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Edwards thows a body kick. Dellal tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Edwards scores with a head kick.

The cut above Josef Dellal's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edwards throws a nice outside leg kick.
Dellal steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Edwards. That one must have hurt.
Edwards is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dellal can do to turn this around?
A lazy left from Edwards finds it's target.
Dellal has a takedown stuffed.
Mark Edwards has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josef Dellal.
Edwards buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Edwards fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Dellal has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Edwards scores with a jab to the jaw.
Edwards keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Edwards lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Mark Edwards seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Edwards - that will leave a mark!
A nice leg kick lands there from Edwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Edwards showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Edwards 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 29:26
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 29:26
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 29:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Edwards!
Mark Edwards was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.