PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bertram Battle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Phantom Troupe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Battle
vs
Troupe

200 cm
24
178 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

179 cm
25
175 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Bertram Battle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Phantom Troupe!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Donald Grub and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Battle tries to land a front kick but Troupe steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Battle really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Battle thows a left - swing and a miss!
Battle slips under a jab.
Battle fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Battle avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Battle looks to land a left hand but Troupe moved out of range nicely.
Battle tries to close the distance and clinch but Troupe swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Some wild striking there from Battle.
Troupe is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Battle looks to throw the jab but Troupe is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Troupe fails with the takedown
and Battle counters with a nice kick to the body.
Troupe fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bertram Battle seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Troupe throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Battle tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Troupe is in Battle's guard.
Battle trying to control the position.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Troupe working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

Battle is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Troupe is aware though and is defending well.
Troupe in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Troupe controlling from the top position.
Troupe trying to control the position from guard on top but Battle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Troupe works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Battle is looking to get back to full guard here but Troupe has managed to pass to side control instead.
Troupe working the ground and pound but Battle is defending the strikes.
Troupe wants to control but Battle is keeping him busy.
Battle tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Troupe wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Troupe looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Battle is avoiding damage well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Battle is looking to reverse the position.

Troupe has an Americana. Battle didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Troupe is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Troupe hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Phantom Troupe!