PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Reece Paul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Heaslip (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reece Paul has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Paul
vs
Heaslip

190 cm
25
175 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

175 cm
23
178 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Very strong

Good takedowns
Brawler
Knockout power

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Reece Paul!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ivan Heaslip!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Skip Squint and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circling - Heaslip throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Paul blocks a jab.
Paul displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Heaslip throws out the jab.

Heaslip gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Paul wants to control from the top but Heaslip keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Paul controlling from the top position.
Paul trying to control the position from guard on top but Heaslip is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Reece Paul just wasn't active enough.
Heaslip swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Heaslip is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Paul.
A telegraphed right hand from Heaslip misses the target.
Heaslip fails to land with a series of punches.
Heaslip pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Heaslip swinging wildly here.
Paul moves away from the strike by Heaslip.
Ivan Heaslip is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Paul bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Heaslip misses with a combination

and Paul counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Paul.
Paul goes for a takedown attempt but Heaslip pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Paul ducks under a wild hook from Heaslip.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Heaslip, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Paul shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Heaslip pinned against the cage. Heaslip gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Paul showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Heaslip.
Paul blocks a low kick nicely.
Ivan Heaslip seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paul avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Heaslip misses the target.
Heaslip misses with a leg kick
and Paul counters with a slapping leg kick.
Heaslip tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Paul is able to avoid easily.
Heaslip missing with a left hand there. Paul was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Heaslip gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Heaslip wants to stand and escape but Paul is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paul throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Heaslip keeping moving, preventing Paul from controlling successfully.
Heaslip told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

We're going to have a standup here because Reece Paul wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Heaslip misses with an uppercut.

Paul shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Heaslip napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Paul in side control, working for a kimura. He's got hold of an arm and he's torquing it... Heaslip is tapping! That's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Reece Paul!
Reece Paul thanked the fans post fight for their support.