PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Will Messinger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Foell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Messinger comes to the cage accompanied by Huckleberry by Ichabod. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Messinger
vs
Foell

170 cm
35
160 lbs
14 - 19 - 0

190 cm
24
165 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

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 14 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Will Messinger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nick Foell!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Messinger drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
An elbow from Messinger crashes against the mat.
Foell is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Messinger tries for a kimura but Foell is defending well.
Messinger fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Foell is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Foell is looking for a sweep.
Check out the look on Messinger's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Foell takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Foell takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Foell is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Messinger fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Foell wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messinger tries to score with some ground and pound. Foell controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Messinger working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Messinger throws an elbow but Foell slips to the side and avoids it well.

Messinger tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Messinger fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Foell takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Foell prevents Messinger from improving position.
Messinger throws an elbow but Foell slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Foell struggling a bit here.

Messinger is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Foell has escaped the position, nice work there.
Foell sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Foell is pressing down on Messinger's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Messinger looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Messinger controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
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!
Messinger throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Foell looking for a guillotine here but Messinger defends easily.

Messinger stands and steps away. Foell gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Foell.
Foell with a nice cross.
Messinger's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Foell connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Messinger scrambles back to his feet.
Messinger shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Foell defends it nicely.
Foell connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Messinger momentarily.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Foell - that will leave a mark!
Foell works the jab nicely.
Messinger throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Foell fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Messinger checks it well.
Messinger shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Foell as he avoids it easily.
Messinger takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Foell bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messinger uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Foell.
Messinger fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Will Messinger. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Foell throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Foell looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Foell misses with a hook.
Messinger looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Foell takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Messinger scores with a takedown into Foell's guard.
Messinger trying to control but Foell is working from the bottom.
Foell wants to sweep here but Messinger controlling him for the moment.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Messinger trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Foell has his foot on Messinger's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Messinger works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nick Foell will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Messinger fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A head kick misses from Foell.
Messinger tries to land a leg kick but Foell saw it coming and moves away.
A swing and a miss from Foell.
Messinger fails with a takedown attempt.
Nice body kick there by Foell.
Messinger blocks a jab.
Foell waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Messinger.
Foell scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Foell is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Messinger gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Foell is trying to push Messinger away but Messinger has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Messinger blocks a body shot from Foell.
Foell tries to break free but Messinger pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Foell tries to break free but Messinger pushes him back against the cage.
Foell wants to break free but Messinger has control.
A frustrated look appears on Foell's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Foell tries to break the clinch but Messinger is controlling the position.
Messinger dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Messinger jumps guard.
Messinger keeping moving, preventing Foell from controlling successfully.
Messinger is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Foell is controlling him.
Messinger wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Foell manages to pass to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Foell is trying to work for a kimura but Messinger is defending well.
Messinger trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Will Messinger overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Messinger manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Messinger is pressing down on Foell's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Foell trying to control the position from guard on top but Messinger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Messinger is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Foell is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Messinger has his foot on Foell's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Foell works his way back into a safe position though.
Foell trying to control but Messinger is working from the bottom.
Foell stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Messinger swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Messinger looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Foell drops back looking for a leg! Messinger is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Messinger manages to kick Foell off! Foell jumps back into Messinger's guard.
Foell trying to control the position from guard on top but Messinger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Foell forces his way into half guard.
Foell trying to control from half guard but Messinger is working away.

Foell is working for a submission of some sort.
Messinger has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Messinger actively working from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nick Foell will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Foell tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Messinger is able to avoid easily.
Messinger tries for a takedown but Foell sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Messinger shoots in but Foell avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Messinger dodges the punch combination from Foell.
Messinger shoots in looking for a takedown. Foell tries to sprawl out of it but Messinger keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Foell manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Will Messinger. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Messinger has taken the fight to the clinch.

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

Foell has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Messinger can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Messinger is looking to stand up but Foell won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Foell is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Messinger is aware though and is defending well.
Foell looking for a sweep. Not yet Foell, not yet.

Messinger gets to his feet. Foell looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Foell smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Messinger checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Messinger cracks Foell with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Foell throws a nice head kick!
Foell connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Foell, as that shot connected.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Foell lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Messinger fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Foell misses with a looping left.
Messinger throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messinger takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Foell tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Messinger was well out of range. Poor timing from Foell.
Foell connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Foell tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nick Foell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Foell tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Foell avoids the head kick by Messinger.
Messinger misses with a head kick.
Messinger fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Messinger checks the leg kick.
Foell fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Messinger on the side of the head.
Messinger checks the leg kick nicely there.
Messinger shoots in looking for a takedown. Foell tries to sprawl out of it but Messinger keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Foell manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messinger avoids the head kick by Foell.
Foell swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Messinger fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Messinger takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Will Messinger is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Messinger swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Foell is looking to score with low kicks.
Messinger fails to land the takedown.
Foell fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Messinger's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Foell connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Messinger scrambles back to his feet.
Messinger throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice cross by Foell.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Foell misses its intended target.
Messinger walks into a stiff left hand from Foell.
Foell throws a leg kick but Messinger sees it coming and moves out of range.
Messinger displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Foell throws out the jab.
Foell takes a swing at Messinger's ribcage but misses.
Messinger blocks a leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Foell.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Messinger tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Foell swivels and escapes.
Foell keeps the fight on the outside.
Messinger is trying hard to land a takedown here. Foell sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Messinger fails in his attempt to clinch.
Foell scores with a sloppy right hand. Messinger should have avoided that one.
Will Messinger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nick Foell is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That kick from Foell tenderised Messinger's leg. Messinger is trying to keep his angry face on.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Foell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Foell winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Foell!