PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mick Gerrard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rufus Speed (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mick Gerrard has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gerrard
vs
Speed

175 cm
21
158 lbs
11 - 1 - 0

177 cm
23
159 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

CEC Nutrition Q160 & Loans

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mick Gerrard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Rufus Speed!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Steven Brown and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Speed blocks a head kick by Gerrard.
Gerrard jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Speed connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Gerrard misses with a straight right.
Speed checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Gerrard avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Speed moves out of range as Gerrard strikes.
A bone on bone clash there as Gerrard blocks the leg kick.
Gerrard tries a head kick but it misses.

Speed shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Gerrard's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Speed stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gerrard swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Speed postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Speed postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gerrard pulls Speed in close to prevent any damage.
Speed is looking to work some ground and pound but Gerrard has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gerrard is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Speed looking to pass the guard.
Speed preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Speed missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Speed sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Speed trying to control but Gerrard is working from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Speed displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gerrard throws out the jab.
Mick Gerrard is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gerrard throws a lazy head kick
letting Speed counter with a right hand.
Speed fails with a takedown attempt.

Speed shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Gerrard napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Speed in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Speed working the head and body with strikes.
Gerrard tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gerrard sneaks back into half guard.
Gerrard is trying to stand back up but Speed is controlling him

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Speed throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Gerrard trying to control from the bottom.
Speed thows a huge punch but Gerrard dodges it nicely.
Speed throwing shots but Gerrard is blocking nicely.
Gerrard trying to control here.
Gerrard blocking the ground and pound attempt from Speed.
Speed looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Speed thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Speed thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Speed perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Speed is keen to just control but Gerrard is a slippery customer.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Speed works Gerrard's body with a nice hook.
Gerrard swings for the body but Speed moves out of range.

Gerrard gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Speed to score an easy takedown into full guard.
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!
Speed trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Speed seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Gerrard working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Speed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rufus Speed dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gerrard takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Gerrard forces Speed back against the cage and clinches.
Speed blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gerrard tries to break free but Speed pushes him back against the cage.
Gerrard has a couple of punches blocked by Speed.
Gerrard misses with a punch on the inside.
Gerrard working aggressively here.
Speed wants a takedown but no success here.
Speed tries to throw a body punch but Gerrard avoids it by throwing Speed back against the cage.
Speed digs a right hand underneath Gerrard's ribcage. Gerrard let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Speed.
Gerrard working hard to break the clinch.
Gerrard softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Speed gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Speed thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gerrard's head.
Speed missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Speed trying to control from half guard but Gerrard is working away.
Speed seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Gerrard keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Well, if Speed is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Speed has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Speed wants to pass the guard but Gerrard is defending well.
Speed is trying to control. Gerrard wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Speed wants to work for an arm triangle but Gerrard is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gerrard has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Speed is working away from the top position though.
Speed drops an elbow to the side of Gerrard's head.
Gerrard is looking to control Speed's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gerrard avoid being mounted?
Speed throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Gerrard avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Speed.
Gerrard avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Speed.
Speed not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Speed thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gerrard's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Speed is stalling here. Gerrard is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Speed seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Gerrard has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Speed is trying to control Gerrard's posture but Gerrard avoids it.
Gerrard wants to control but Speed is keeping him busy.
Speed sneaks back into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Speed keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Speed works his way to full guard. Good work.
Rufus Speed has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Speed pulls Gerrard in close to prevent any damage.
Speed controls Gerrard momentarily but Gerrard frees himself.
Gerrard trying to move into half guard but instead Speed has managed to sweep!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gerrard keeping moving, preventing Speed from controlling successfully.
Speed being controlled here momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rufus Speed showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Speed throws a front kick aimed at Gerrard's knee but Gerrard avoids it well.
Speed misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gerrard.
Speed blocks a jab.
Gerrard throws out a loose jab but Speed uses good head movement to avoid it.
Speed lands a really nice looking cross but Gerrard seems unphased.
Speed misses with a body shot.
Speed scores with a kick to the midsection.
Speed moves out of range as Gerrard strikes.
Speed ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gerrard attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Gerrard keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Speed swings for the body but Gerrard moves out of range.
Gerrard lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Speed circles away quickly and effectively.
Gerrard fails in his attempt to clinch.
Speed looks to score with a jab to the body but Gerrard is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gerrard wants to clinch up but Speed keeps it at a distance.
Speed lands with a straight right. Gerrard didn't see that one coming.
Speed avoids a punch combination nicely.
A solid leg kick lands there for Speed.
Gerrard connects with a body shot.
Speed steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gerrard.
Speed throws a leg kick which misses Gerrard's front leg but catches the back leg as Gerrard tries to avoid it.
Speed cracks the inside of Gerrard's front leg.
Gerrard ducks under a wild hook from Speed.
Speed scores with a head kick. Gerrard tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Gerrard misses with a hook. Speed ducked under it nicely.
Gerrard lunges at Speed with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Speed's hand.
Speed throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Speed takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Speed keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gerrard.
Speed misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Speed takes a swing at Gerrard's ribcage but misses.
Speed throws the left hand but Gerrard avoids the punch easily.
The fighters circling - Gerrard throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Gerrard throws a lazy right hand but Speed sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gerrard misses the jab.
Speed moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Speed fails with a takedown attempt.
Gerrard looks to land a right hand but Speed moved out of range.
Speed is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Gerrard rather than just go for the knockout.
Gerrard takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Gerrard throws out a loose jab but Speed uses good head movement to avoid it.
Speed connects with a body shot.
Speed circles away from the clinch attempt.
Speed is looking to slow Gerrard down with leg kicks.
Gerrard is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gerrard throws a right hand that misses
and Speed counters with a leg kick.
Gerrard walks into a straight right hand from Speed.
Gerrard throws a head kick that misses.
Rufus Speed seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gerrard throws a big shot that misses.
Speed keeps Gerrard at a distance using the push kick.
Gerrard is looking to clinch.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Speed. Gerrard shrugs it off though.
Speed throws out a loose jab but Gerrard uses good head movement to avoid it.
Speed misses with a body shot.
A swing and a miss from Gerrard.
Speed scores with a body shot.
Gerrard waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Speed.
Speed swats away the attempt to clinch by Gerrard.
Gerrard lands with a nice body punch.
Speed defending well as Gerrard loads up on a big left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gerrard moves out of range of the strikes.
Gerrard scores with a jab. Speed acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Gerrard crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Speed - the referee stops the clock and Gerrard gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Speed. Gerrard manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Speed lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Gerrard has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Gerrard and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Speed throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Speed cracks the inside of Gerrard's front leg.
Speed throws a lazy right hand but Gerrard sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gerrard throws a right hand that misses
and Speed makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Speed thumps Gerrard with a low kick.
Gerrard tries to clinch there but Speed circles away.
Speed fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Speed shoots in but no luck this time.
Mick Gerrard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rufus Speed.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gerrard ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Speed moves away.
Mick Gerrard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gerrard throws a head kick that misses.
Gerrard is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Gerrard looks to clinch
and Speed counters with a low kick, right behind Gerrard 's knee.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rufus Speed comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Speed 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rufus Speed!