PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Heaslip (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reece Paul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ivan Heaslip has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Heaslip
vs
Paul

175 cm
23
178 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

190 cm
25
175 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ivan Heaslip!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Reece Paul!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Steve Erwin and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Heaslip throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A swing and a miss from Heaslip.
Heaslip throws a lazy right hand but Paul sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Paul tries to close the distance and clinch but Heaslip swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Heaslip throws a leg kick but Paul moved away.
Heaslip looks to land a right hand but Paul moved out of range.
Paul shoots and misses

and Heaslip counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Heaslip.
Heaslip is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Heaslip trying to control but Paul is working from the bottom.
Heaslip might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Paul manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Paul wants to take Heaslip's back here but Heaslip is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul tries to get up but Heaslip was controlling his body and he's reversed into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Paul is trying to keep Heaslip in close.

Paul working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Heaslip doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Heaslip manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Paul has his foot on Heaslip's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Heaslip works his way back into a safe position though.
Heaslip stops Paul from standing up.
Paul looking to hit a scissor sweep but Heaslip is one step ahead there.
Heaslip has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Paul is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paul keeping moving, preventing Heaslip from controlling successfully.
Paul is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Paul has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Heaslip can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Heaslip has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Paul is proving hard to escape from.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Paul is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Paul keeping moving, preventing Heaslip from controlling successfully.

Ivan Heaslip has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Paul blocks a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Heaslip is predictable there
and Paul counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Paul shoots in for a takedown but Heaslip shows good takedown defense.
Paul bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Paul avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Heaslip throws the kick towards the body but Paul avoids it.
Heaslip misses with an uppercut.
Heaslip throws an overhand right that lands on Paul's shoulder, as Paul tries to avoid the shot.

Paul closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Paul lands in his opponent's guard.
Heaslip keeping moving, preventing Paul from controlling successfully.
Paul has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Heaslip is proving hard to escape from.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paul stops Heaslip from standing up.
Heaslip is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Australian Top Team that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.

Paul has gone for a leg lock! Heaslip slips out almost immediately though and dives into Paul's guard.

Paul is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Heaslip defends well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Heaslip wants to control from the top but Paul keeps moving.

Paul looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Heaslip tries to stand but Paul is controlling from the bottom.
Heaslip trying to control the position from guard on top but Paul is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Reece Paul will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Paul shoots in but Heaslip avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Heaslip rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Paul moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
No joy there for Heaslip, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Heaslip tries to land a front kick but Paul steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Heaslip misses with an uppercut. Paul saw that one coming.
Paul shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Heaslip sprawls well. Heaslip wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Paul gets slowly back to his feet.
Heaslip loads up on a big right hand but Paul slips the punch.
Heaslip jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Heaslip keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ivan Heaslip has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Reece Paul.
Paul moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Paul looking to score a takedown here. Heaslip is defending well but Paul drives through and ends up in Heaslip's guard.
Heaslip is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Paul trying to control the position from guard on top but Heaslip is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Paul looking to sit in guard and control but Heaslip gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Heaslip trying to control the position from guard on top but Paul is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paul looking to hit a scissor sweep but Heaslip is one step ahead there.

Paul is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Heaslip defends well.

Paul is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Heaslip frees his head nicely. Oh but Paul has switched to an armbar! Heaslip is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:44 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Reece Paul!
A very excited looking Reece Paul made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.