PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Taran Widow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bentley Downer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Widow
vs
Downer

190 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Taran Widow!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bentley Downer!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Jeff Smith and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Downer does no damage.

Downer pushes Widow up against the cage in a clinch.

Downer tightens his grip and picks Widow up, before dumping him to the ground. Widow manages to land in guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Downer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Downer looking to sit in guard and control but Widow gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Widow showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Downer wants to sweep here but Widow controlling him for the moment.
Widow in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Widow trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Widow throws a strike but Downer rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Downer in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Widow 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.
Downer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Widow trying to control the position.
Downer really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Widow. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Downer is looking to work some ground and pound but Widow has wrist control.
Downer won't allow Widow to sweep him here.

Widow had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Downer defends it easily.
Downer looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Downer wants to get up but he can't break Widow's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Downer trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Widow is controlling Downer's posture.
Widow is trying to control the position but Downer postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Taran Widow just wasn't active enough.
Downer feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Widows jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Downer clinches with his opponent.
Downer stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Downer breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Downer throws a series of punches but Widow avoids them all with ease.
Downer defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Widow.
Downer scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Downer shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Widow's guard.
Downer loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Widow is breathing heavily.
Downer wants to stand and escape but instead Widow has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Widow trying to control but Downer is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Widow working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Widow throwing strikes from guard but Downer blocks nicely.
Downer is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Widow trying to control the position from guard on top but Downer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bentley Downer dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Downer clinches up against the cage.
Widow tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Downer smiles and moves away.

Downer closes the distance and clinches.

Downer pulls guard.
Downer is looking to stand up but Widow isn't so interested in that idea.
Widow wants to control from the top but Downer keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Downer is trying to keep Widow in close.
Widow working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Widow working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Downer looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Widow slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Widow wants to control but Downer is keeping him busy.

Widow is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Downer knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Widow wants to lay and pray for a moment but Downer keeps working.
Downer is trying to get back to his feet.

Widow wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Downer, who protects the arm well.
Widow wants to lay and pray for a moment but Downer keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Widow is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Downer has escaped the position, nice work there.
Downer tries to bench press Widow off him but Widow keeps the position.

Widow looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Widow working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Widow wants to lay and pray for a moment but Downer keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taran Widow dominated that second 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Downer jabs at Widow's body.

Widow gets caught napping as Downer dives in and scores a takedown. Widow manages to retain guard.
Widow is pulling down on Downer's head. It's preventing any offense from Downer, at least for the moment.
Widow avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Downer in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Downer accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Downer loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Downer looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Downer trying to control the position from guard on top but Widow is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Widow has his feet on Downer's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Bentley Downer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Downer fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Widow, pushing him back against the cage.
Downer lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Taran Widow has been cut.
Widow takes a knee right on the jaw!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Downer pulls guard successfully.
Widow throwing strikes from guard but Downer blocks nicely.
Widow stays in close to Downer's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Widow is looking to work some ground and pound but Downer has wrist control.
Widow throws a big elbow that misses.
Taran Widow overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Widow pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Downer is keeping the position for now.
Downer is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Bentley Downer hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Widow takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Widow moves into range and clinches up with Downer.

Downer breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Downer throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Downer changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Widow looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Downer tries to score with some ground and pound. Widow controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Downer wants to control but Widow is keeping him busy.
Widow gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Widow actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Widow tries to get to full guard but Downer has control of the leg.
Widow is holding on to half guard well.
Downer missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Widow makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Widow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Widow keeping moving, preventing Downer from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Widow lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Downer!

And that's the end of the fight!
Bentley Downer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Downer has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Josh West scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bentley Downer!