PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ward Sore (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bender IsGreat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sore
vs
IsGreat

186 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

183 cm
24
199 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ward Sore!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bender IsGreat!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Josh West and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sore throws a front kick that sends IsGreat stumbling back into the cage.
IsGreat tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sore swats him away and circles back towards the center.
IsGreat keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sore shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as IsGreat sprawls well. IsGreat wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sore gets slowly back to his feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sore.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ward Sore. That's going to take a lot out of him.
IsGreat tries to clinch up but Sore circles away and keeps his distance.
Sore throws a shot from downtown. IsGreat moves away and avoids it.
Sore lands a lovely overhand right.
Sore avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sore shoots for a takedown but IsGreat saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
IsGreat tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sore swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sore.
Sore fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

IsGreat moves into the clinch.
Sore drops down looking for an ankle pick but IsGreat pulls his leg out and moves away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sore.
Ward Sore seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sore checks a low kick from IsGreat.

Sore scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
IsGreat keeping control of the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. IsGreat manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Sore trying to control the position from guard on top but IsGreat is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sore throws a big right hand that misses.
IsGreat is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sore is controlling him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
IsGreat pulls Sore in to control the position.
IsGreat wants to stand but Sore is controlling the position.
Sore trying to control but IsGreat is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Ward Sore just wasn't active enough.
IsGreat tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
IsGreat misses with a jab, cross combination.

IsGreat closes the distance and clinches.
Sore is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but IsGreat is defending well.
IsGreat has Sore pressed against the cage, preventing Sore from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Sore is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sore is trying to maintain a safe position but IsGreat gets an underhook and turns Sore into the cage.
Sore is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables IsGreat to keep the fight standing.
IsGreat trying to land knees to the body.
Still in the clinch, IsGreat scores with a nice short uppercut.
IsGreat lands a body shot.
IsGreat lands with a light punch inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sore has IsGreat pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. IsGreat manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Sore drops down looking for an ankle pick but IsGreat pulls his leg out and moves away.
Sore is breathing heavily.
IsGreat tries to clinch but Sore moves out of range.
Sore is looking to clinch but IsGreat is avoiding it.
IsGreat doesn't manage to clinch there - Sore circles away.
IsGreat tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sore swats him away and circles back towards the center.
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!
Sore lands a high kick!
Sore changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. IsGreat tries to avoid it but Sore manages to keep hold of a leg and drag IsGreat to the ground. IsGreat escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sore lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but IsGreat circles away quickly and effectively.
Nice takedown defense from IsGreat. No joy for Sore on that attempt.
IsGreat doesn't manage to clinch there - Sore circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bender IsGreat will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

IsGreat moves in looking to clinch but Sore pushes him off.
IsGreat tries to close the distance and clinch but Sore swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
IsGreat wants to clinch
letting Sore counter with a right hand.

IsGreat clinches.
Sore wants to get back to striking at distance but IsGreat won't allow it.
A short uppercut from IsGreat.
IsGreat pushes Sore back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
IsGreat putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Sore in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A short right from IsGreat on the inside.
IsGreat crunches a lovely knee into Sore's ribcage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sore is trying to pull guard but IsGreat has him pressed against the cage.
IsGreat has Sore pressed against the cage, preventing Sore from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Sore is trying to break free.
A knee to the head by IsGreat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sore wants to get back to striking at distance but IsGreat won't allow it.
Bender IsGreat seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A right hand to the body from IsGreat.
IsGreat is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
IsGreat works on Sore's body with a couple of short punches.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Sore tries to break free but IsGreat pushes him back against the cage.
IsGreat slows down the pace here.
IsGreat with an attempt at a knee that misses.
IsGreat lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Good anti-grappling being displayed by IsGreat as Sore tries to tie him up.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sore is trying to pull guard but IsGreat has him pressed against the cage.
IsGreat misses with a knee strike.
The referee is keeping an eye on IsGreat - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
IsGreat landing some nice looking knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sore is working for takedown but IsGreat is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ward Sore. That's going to take a lot out of him.
IsGreat gets through Sore's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, IsGreat scores with a nice short uppercut.
IsGreat throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sore blocks it with crossed arms.
Sore being controlled against the cage.
Sore goes for a takedown in the clinch but IsGreat prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Good body shot from IsGreat.
Sore is looking to take this one to the mat.
IsGreat pushes Sore back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sore drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
IsGreat landing knees to the head.

It looks like Ward Sore has been cut.
A body shot lands from IsGreat.
Knees to the body from IsGreat.
IsGreat with a knee to the head.

Sore is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
IsGreat working Sore over with knees to the body.
Oh Sore is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
This has been an exciting period of action!
IsGreat scores with a hook to the body.
Sore seems to have got his legs back now.
Knees to the body from IsGreat.
IsGreat has Sore pressed up against the cage in a tight Thai clinch. Sore is arching his back, trying to avoid the knees but a big one sneaks through from IsGreat - that's hurt Sore badly! Oh, another knee lands and Sore is covering up! The referee steps in to save him - possibly a bit early but Sore doesn't seem to be complaining.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:19 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Knees). Bender IsGreat! Bender IsGreat retains his middleweight title!