PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Brian Backscratcher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Puempel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Brian Backscratcher has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Backscratcher
vs
Puempel

190 cm
24
190 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

186 cm
28
192 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Elite Canadian Threads
Fury Nutrition Inc.

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 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Brian Backscratcher!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Matt Puempel!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Puempel looks to land a right hand but Backscratcher moved out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Puempel.
Backscratcher pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Backscratcher clinches.
Backscratcher blocks the elbow strike.

Backscratcher breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Puempel lands a head kick!

Backscratcher moves into range and clinches up with Puempel.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Puempel lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Puempel works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Puempel trying to control but Backscratcher is working from the bottom.
Puempel in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Backscratcher is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puempel stays in close to Backscratcher's body and controls the position.
Puempel trying to control the position from guard on top but Backscratcher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Puempel has gone for a leg lock! Backscratcher slips out almost immediately though and dives into Puempel's guard.
Backscratcher is looking to work some ground and pound but Puempel has wrist control.
Backscratcher trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Puempel is looking for a triangle but Backscratcher pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Backscratcher wants to control from the top but Puempel keeps moving.
Backscratcher with a flurry of punches that miss.
Backscratcher wants to control from the top but Puempel keeps moving.
Backscratcher throwing strikes from guard but Puempel blocks nicely.

Puempel is looking for a triangle but Backscratcher pushes his legs off easily.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Puempel throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Backscratcher trying to control but Puempel is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backscratcher with a flurry of punches that miss.
Backscratcher loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Backscratcher throwing strikes but missing.
Puempel working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Backscratcher.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Puempel keeping full guard, as Backscratcher tries to pass.
Puempel avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Backscratcher trying to control the position from guard on top but Puempel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Backscratcher pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Puempel is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backscratcher trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Backscratcher throws a strike but Puempel rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Puempel stops Backscratcher from standing up.
Puempel controlling from the top position.
Puempel is pushing down on Backscratcher's leg trying to pass to half guard. Backscratcher is fighting to maintain full guard but Puempel has managed to sneak the leg through.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Puempel keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Puempel dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Backscratcher misses with a hook. Puempel ducked under it nicely.

Puempel looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Backscratcher!
Backscratcher tries to bench press Puempel off him but Puempel keeps the position.
Puempel tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Puempel tries for a kimura but Backscratcher is defending well.
You can see the frustration on Backscratcher's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backscratcher is looking to regain half guard here but Puempel keeps moving and retains side control.
Puempel tries to advance position but instead Backscratcher slips a leg back in to half guard.

Puempel is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Backscratcher still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Backscratcher has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Backscratcher postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Backscratcher wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Puempel, who protects the arm well.
Backscratcher working the body and head with strikes.
Puempel struggling a bit here.
Backscratcher tries to move into full mount but can't pass Puempel's legs.
Puempel is not content to let Backscratcher control the position.
Puempel is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backscratcher working the ground and pound but Puempel is defending the strikes.
Puempel manages to work his way to half guard, despite Backscratcher's best efforts.
Backscratcher sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Puempel defending well though.
Backscratcher not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Backscratcher working Puempel over with strikes.
Backscratcher throwing shots but Puempel is blocking nicely.
Brian Backscratcher overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Puempel blocking the ground and pound attempt from Backscratcher.
Backscratcher is nestled in close to Puempel, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Backscratcher not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Backscratcher prevents Puempel from improving his position.
Backscratcher thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Puempel's head.
Backscratcher lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Puempel looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Backscratcher misses with a head shot. Puempel uses the momentum to regain guard.
Puempel avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Backscratcher avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Backscratcher loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Backscratcher dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Nice straight punches there by Backscratcher. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Backscratcher.

Puempel is rocked!
Backscratcher fires a straight punch through the middle that cracks Puempel square on the jaw! Damn, Puempel is out cold on his feet and topples face first to the canvas! Wow, I haven't seen a knockout that brutal in a long time!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:09 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Brian Backscratcher!
During a confident post fight interview, Brian Backscratcher thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.