PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Chuck Michael (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Blake Proud (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Blake Proud told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Michael
vs
Proud

189 cm
21
177 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite 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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Chuck Michael!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Blake Proud!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Proud is defended easily by Michael.
Proud misses with a takedown attempt
and Michael counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Proud bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Michael is trying to get back to half guard.

Proud stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Michael dives in and grabs Proud's left leg, looking for a takedown. Proud pushes down on Michael's head and hops out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Michael shoots in but Proud avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Proud gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michael tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Proud just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chuck Michael. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Proud breaks the clinch.
Michael tries for a takedown but Proud circles away easily
and Michael takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nice sprawl there from Michael as Proud shoots in.
Proud tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Michael swivels and escapes.
Nice takedown defense from Michael. No joy for Proud on that attempt.
Proud looks winded!
Proud lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Proud fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Michael avoids it really well and circles away.
Proud tries for a takedown but Michael circles away easily
and Michael counters with a big head kick but Proud shrugs it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michael fails with the takedown.
Michael misses with a head kick.
Blake Proud seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Proud fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Michael closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Proud to the mat! Proud manages to get full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Michael wanted to stand there but Proud had control of the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michael missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Michael with a flurry of punches that miss.
Michael wants to stand but Proud is controlling his posture from full guard.
Michael stopping the sweep attempt from Proud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Proud has a closed guard, preventing Michael from standing up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Proud with a poor takedown

and Michael counters by moving into the clinch.
Michael is trying to pull guard but Proud turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Michael jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Proud walks away with a smile on his face. Michael gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Michael displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Proud.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Michael is defended easily by Proud.

Michael shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Proud's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Chuck Michael will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Proud leaves Michael with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Proud gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Michael counters by clinching up.
Proud has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Michael after a bit of a struggle.
Michael is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Proud gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Michael turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Proud gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Michael seems to be looking for submissions.
Proud is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Michael wants to stand up but Proud has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Proud tries to roll over but Michael keeps him under control.

Michael seems to be working for a kimura but Proud defends the submission attempt.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Michael is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Michael stops Proud from getting back to his feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Proud shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Michael is trying to defend but Proud finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Proud trying to control from Michael's half guard. Michael has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Proud postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Michael is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Proud, into his guard.

Michael trying to stand up but can't free himself from Proud's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michael wants to stand and escape but instead Proud has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Michael looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Proud puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Michael is staying active underneath Proud, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Proud is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Michael is just riding it out for now. Proud eventually gives up the hold.
Proud blocks the strikes from Michael.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Proud passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Michael!
Michael is wriggling around trying to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Blake Proud will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Proud shoots in for a takedown but Michael shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Michael looks for a takedown but Proud sprawls well.
Proud looks to throw the jab but Michael is out of range.

Proud has managed to clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Michael's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Michael breaks the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Proud tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Michael defends well and Proud ends up having to push Michael into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Proud takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Michael pulls guard.
Proud pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Michael is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michael wants to sweep here but Proud controlling him for the moment.
Proud passes Michael's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Proud is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Michael is looking for a sweep. Proud is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Michael blocking the ground and pound attempt from Proud.
Michael is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Proud's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Proud's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Michael is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Proud is defending well though. Michael let's go of the attempt for now.

Michael is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Michael patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
I really don't envy Proud right now.
Michael trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Proud is trying to break free.
Proud is trying to get back to his feet but Michael has full control of the position and if anything, Proud has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Chuck Michael overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Michael is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Proud is defending well though. Michael let's go of the attempt for now.
Proud tries to roll but Michael sticks to his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Proud looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Michael working for the choke.
Proud is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Michael is not going to allow Proud to sit and survive in this position.

Proud is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Michael is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chuck Michael showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Michael has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!