PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jeannot Chong Starbowsky Ii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and TJ Welsh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chong Starbowsky Ii's entrance music is "SCIENCE OF THE TRIFE". A fine choice. Welsh has chosen Lets Have A War as his entrance music. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Chong Starbowsky Ii
vs
Welsh

175 cm
25
186 lbs
7 - 23 - 0

190 cm
29
199 lbs
15 - 17 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

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 7 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jeannot Chong Starbowsky Ii!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, TJ Welsh!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Ian Loll and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Chong Starbowsky Ii clinches up against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Welsh.
Welsh is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Chong Starbowsky Ii is defending well for now.

Welsh has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Chong Starbowsky Ii is trying to keep an underhook but Welsh manages to get the takedown into half guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Welsh is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Chong Starbowsky Ii is just riding it out for now. Welsh eventually gives up the hold.
Chong Starbowsky Ii wants to control but Welsh is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Welsh is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Chong Starbowsky Ii defends it well.
Chong Starbowsky Ii might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Welsh is pressing down on Chong Starbowsky Ii's thigh, looking to free his foot. Chong Starbowsky Ii is holding on for now.

Welsh is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Chong Starbowsky Ii defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Welsh wants to free his trapped foot but Chong Starbowsky Ii is holding on for dear life with his legs.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Welsh working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Welsh wants to take a breather but Chong Starbowsky Ii is having none of it.
Chong Starbowsky Ii's coaches at Bi-polar Asylum have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Welsh controlling the action here.

Welsh stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Chong Starbowsky Ii manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Welsh on his heels. He'll look to pass Welsh's guard now, I'm sure.
Welsh pulls Chong Starbowsky Ii in close to his closed guard and prevents Chong Starbowsky Ii from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Welsh has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Welsh has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Chong Starbowsky Ii is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Welsh lands a good knee to the midsection. Chong Starbowsky Ii won't want to take too many of those.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Welsh escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Welsh gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Chong Starbowsky Ii to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Welsh manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Chong Starbowsky Ii manages to get himself to full guard.

Welsh gets to his feet - Chong Starbowsky Ii follows without any prompting.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chong Starbowsky Ii closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Welsh did well to prevent Chong Starbowsky Ii getting side control.
Chong Starbowsky Ii throws a strike but Welsh avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Welsh utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Welsh is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Welsh manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Welsh putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Chong Starbowsky Ii in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Chong Starbowsky Ii is breathing heavily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Welsh manages to break the clinch.
Jeannot Chong Starbowsky Ii seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Welsh moves into the clinch successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chong Starbowsky Ii scores with a shot to the side of Welsh's head.
A short right from Welsh on the inside.

Welsh's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Welsh shoots for a double leg takedown but Chong Starbowsky Ii sprawls well. He's pushed Welsh's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Welsh has Chong Starbowsky Ii up against the cage in a clinch.

Chong Starbowsky Ii turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Chong Starbowsky Ii manages to end up in side control.
Who's going to make the next move?
Welsh regains half guard.
Chong Starbowsky Ii could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Welsh holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

TJ Welsh dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Welsh swinging wildly here.
Welsh will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Welsh wants to clinch.

Welsh shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Welsh wants to control from the top but Chong Starbowsky Ii keeps moving.

Welsh gets to his feet - Chong Starbowsky Ii follows without any prompting.
Welsh shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Welsh shoots in and drives through. Chong Starbowsky Ii sprawls well.
Jeannot Chong Starbowsky Ii has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of TJ Welsh.
Welsh darts in looking for a takedown but Chong Starbowsky Ii gets double underhooks and turns Welsh into the cage.
Welsh wants to take the fight to the mat but Chong Starbowsky Ii manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Welsh tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Chong Starbowsky Ii.

Chong Starbowsky Ii pulls guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Welsh trying to control the position from guard on top but Chong Starbowsky Ii is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Welsh might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Chong Starbowsky Ii haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Welsh looking to sit in guard and control but Chong Starbowsky Ii gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Chong Starbowsky Ii looking to pass the guard.
Welsh looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. TJ Welsh was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Welsh shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Chong Starbowsky Ii's guard.
Welsh wants to control from the top but Chong Starbowsky Ii keeps moving.

Welsh stands and steps away. Chong Starbowsky Ii gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Chong Starbowsky Ii pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Welsh changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Chong Starbowsky Ii tries to avoid it but Welsh manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Chong Starbowsky Ii to the ground. Chong Starbowsky Ii escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Welsh darts in looking for a takedown but Chong Starbowsky Ii gets double underhooks and turns Welsh into the cage.
Welsh scores with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chong Starbowsky Ii working hard to break the clinch.
Welsh working Chong Starbowsky Ii over with knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Chong Starbowsky Ii has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Welsh lands a left hand that snaps the head of Chong Starbowsky Ii backwards.
Chong Starbowsky Ii is trying to maintain a safe position but Welsh gets an underhook and turns Chong Starbowsky Ii into the cage.
Welsh utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Welsh scores with a knee to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Welsh has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Chong Starbowsky Ii after a bit of a struggle.
Welsh putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Chong Starbowsky Ii in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Welsh landing knees to the head.
Welsh digs a right hand underneath Chong Starbowsky Ii's ribcage. Chong Starbowsky Ii let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Chong Starbowsky Ii takes a knee to the side of the body.
Welsh scores with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Welsh pressing his opponent against the cage.
Welsh landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Welsh scores with a knee to the head.

Chong Starbowsky Ii is rocked!
Welsh unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Oh Chong Starbowsky Ii is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Welsh taking a breather.
Welsh continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Chong Starbowsky Ii seems to have got his legs back now.

Welsh manages to break the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Welsh has Chong Starbowsky Ii up against the cage in a clinch.
Chong Starbowsky Ii wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Chong Starbowsky Ii has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

TJ Welsh showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Welsh drives through and clinches with Chong Starbowsky Ii against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Chong Starbowsky Ii has clasped his hands together around Welsh's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Welsh tries to improve position but can't.
Welsh wants to control but Chong Starbowsky Ii postures up.
Welsh manages to work his way to half guard, despite Chong Starbowsky Ii's best efforts.
Welsh is controlling Chong Starbowsky Ii's trapped leg to prevent Chong Starbowsky Ii from advancing to side control.
Welsh works his way to full guard. Good work.
Chong Starbowsky Ii in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Welsh has his feet on Chong Starbowsky Ii's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Welsh misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Welsh clinches up with Chong Starbowsky Ii and pushes him back against the cage.
Welsh has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Chong Starbowsky Ii throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Chong Starbowsky Ii has hold of one of Welsh's legs. Welsh is fighting the takedown attempt but Chong Starbowsky Ii gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Welsh thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Welsh will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Welsh looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Welsh uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Sloppy strikes from Chong Starbowsky Ii. Those never looked like landing.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Welsh with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Jeannot Chong Starbowsky Ii has been cut.
A knee to the head by Welsh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Welsh lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Chong Starbowsky Ii.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Welsh jerks Chong Starbowsky Ii's head down, straight into the path of a devastating knee! Chong Starbowsky Ii drops to the floor in a crumpled heap! Welsh goes to throw a finishing haymaker but pulls out - good sportsmanship from Welsh because Chong Starbowsky Ii was completely out of it. That was a nice finish - just the right level of brutality to send everyone home happy.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:19 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Knee). TJ Welsh!
TJ Welsh decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.