PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jim Beckett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcel Cerdan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Cerdan's choice of entrance music: French National Anthem. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Beckett
vs
Cerdan

168 cm
27
146 lbs
17 - 6 - 0

173 cm
33
155 lbs
31 - 19 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

The Big Kabosh

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jim Beckett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 19 - 2, fighting out of New York, Marcel Cerdan!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Beckett throws a head kick that misses.
Beckett pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Cerdan throws a sloppy body shot

and Beckett counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Beckett.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Beckett prevents Cerdan from getting back to his feet.
Beckett looking to pass the guard.
Beckett prevents Cerdan from getting back to his feet.
Cerdan keeping moving, preventing Beckett from controlling successfully.
Beckett tries to free his leg and advance position but Cerdan is retaining full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Beckett wants to control from the top but Cerdan keeps moving.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Beckett takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cerdan scores with a shot to the body.
Beckett throws a big shot that misses.
That kick from Beckett tenderised Cerdan's leg. Cerdan is trying to keep his angry face on.
Cerdan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Beckett shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Cerdan swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Beckett.
Beckett gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Beckett slips under a jab from Cerdan.
Beckett avoids a punch combination nicely.
Beckett avoids the body shot from Cerdan.
Cerdan lands a body shot.
Good shot there by Cerdan.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cerdan walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Cerdan scores with a decent looking hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cerdan swings for the body but Beckett moves out of range.
Beckett looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Cerdan chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Beckett can pounce on him.
Cerdan is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Beckett rather than just go for the knockout.
Beckett checks the leg kick.
Cerdan throws a right hand that misses

and Beckett counters with a takedown into side control.
Beckett throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Beckett is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Beckett wants to control but Cerdan is keeping him busy.
Cerdan is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Beckett asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Beckett is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Cerdan will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
An elbow from Beckett crashes against the mat.
Cerdan is working to avoid the ground and pound but Beckett connects with a decent elbow.
Beckett wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cerdan keeps working.
Cerdan tries to escape but Beckett is in control.
Cerdan managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Beckett.

Beckett has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Cerdan is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Beckett yanks on the arm and Cerdan is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Beckett.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jim Beckett!
A relieved looking Jim Beckett thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.