PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kendrick Bowens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Larry Upchurch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kendrick Bowens has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bowens
vs
Upchurch

188 cm
25
240 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

186 cm
25
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kendrick Bowens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Larry Upchurch!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, George Francis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bowens is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bowens shoots in for a takedown but Upchurch shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bowens dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Upchurch tries to clinch up but Bowens circles away and keeps his distance.
Bowens tries to clinch up.
Bowens moves in looking to clinch but Upchurch pushes him off.
Bowens shoots in for a double leg but Upchurch sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Upchurch shoots in and drives through. Bowens sprawls well.
Bowens dodges the punch combination from Upchurch.
Upchurch shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bowens defends it nicely.
Upchurch misses with a head kick.
Bowens fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kendrick Bowens. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Upchurch tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Bowens counters with a right hand to the body.

Bowens instigates a clinch.

Upchurch works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Upchurch loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Bowens escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Upchurch gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Upchurch trying to control but Bowens is working from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Upchurch's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Upchurch trying to control but Bowens is working from the bottom.
Upchurch throws a big elbow that misses.
Upchurch wants to control from the top but Bowens keeps moving.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

The ref stands the fighters back up. Larry Upchurch was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Bowens scores with a three punch combo!

It looks like Larry Upchurch has been cut.

Upchurch gets caught napping as Bowens dives in and scores a takedown. Upchurch manages to retain guard.
Upchurch has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Upchurch pulls Bowens in to control the position.
Bowens trying to control the position from guard on top but Upchurch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Upchurch working a defensive guard here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Bowens drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bowens jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Bowens drops back looking for a leg! Upchurch is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Upchurch manages to kick Bowens off! Bowens jumps back into Upchurch's guard.
Upchurch thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Upchurch is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Bowens defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bowens pushing down on Upchurch's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bowens is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Bowens throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Upchurch has his hands clasped together but Bowens breaks the hold and Upchurch is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Bowens!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kendrick Bowens!