PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bob Backlund (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Red Redyan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Backlund
vs
Redyan

189 cm
25
197 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

184 cm
31
195 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

Great wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

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 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bob Backlund!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Red Redyan!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Jeff Smith and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Backlund with that takedown attempt.
Backlund has his takedown stuffed

and Redyan counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Backlund is pressing down on Redyan's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Redyan wants to control from the top but Backlund keeps moving.

Backlund has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Redyan can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Redyan preventing the sweep.
We've been hearing good reports from Backlund's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Backlund looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Redyan passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Backlund gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backlund wants to get back to full guard.

Backlund looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Backlund makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Backlund.

Backlund looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Backlund wants to sweep but no luck.
Backlund being controlled here, momentarily.

Backlund looking for a guillotine here but Redyan defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Redyan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Backlund has his foot on Redyan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Redyan works his way back into a safe position though.
Backlund looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Redyan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Backlund is keeping the position for now.

Redyan avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Backlund working for a triangle but Redyan defends it easily.
Redyan won't allow Backlund to sweep him here.

Backlund is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Backlund tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Backlund cracks the inside of Redyan's front leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Backlund goes for a double leg but Redyan avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Redyan continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bob Backlund. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Backlund wants a takedown.
Backlund tries for a takedown but Redyan manages to get underhooks.
Backlund tries for a takedown. No joy.
Backlund tries to score a body lock takedown but Redyan shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Redyan trying to control the position but instead, Backlund has worked for underhooks and has pushed Redyan into the cage.
Backlund is working for takedown but Redyan is calmly controlling the position for now.
Backlund fails to pull guard.
Backlund fails to pull guard.

Backlund lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Backlund not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Redyan wants to get back to his feet.

Backlund is working for a submission of some sort.

Backlund is looking for a kimura but Redyan is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Backlund to get the leverage.
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 Bob Backlund 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.

Backlund tries for a takedown but Redyan circles away easily

and Redyan counters with a nice double leg into side control. Backlund won't be happy with that.
Backlund is looking to reverse the position.
Backlund manages to work his way to half guard, despite Redyan's best efforts.

Backlund looking for submissions off his back.
Backlund is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Backlund moves into full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Backlund looking for a guillotine here but Redyan defends easily.
Redyan trying to control the position from guard on top but Backlund is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Backlund escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Redyan gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Backlund has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Redyan is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Backlund.
Red Redyan has got the better of the ground game so far.
Backlund is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Redyan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Backlund keeps working.
Backlund is trying to improve his position.
Redyan trying to control the position but Backlund is working away.
Backlund tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backlund regains half guard.

Redyan moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Backlund.
Backlund is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Redyan off and has taken his back!

Redyan is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Backlund gets his way!
Redyan is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Redyan covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Redyan is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Redyan defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Redyan is trying to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backlund softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Redyan wants to get back to his feet.

Backlund working for a choke but Redyan is defending well.

Backlund is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Redyan is defending well though. Backlund let's go of the attempt for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Backlund dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Backlund dives in and grabs Redyan's left leg, looking for a takedown. Redyan pushes down on Backlund's head and hops out.
Backlund shoots in looking for a takedown but Redyan manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Backlund's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Backlund has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bob Backlund. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Backlund is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Redyan's half guard.
Backlund wants to pass to mount but Redyan is defending the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Redyan looks like he's trying to stand up.
Backlund not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Backlund is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backlund thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Redyan is trying to stand back up but Backlund is controlling him
Redyan avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Backlund.

Backlund is working for a kimura but Redyan is defending it quite comfortably.
Redyan is trying to stand back up but Backlund is controlling him

Redyan is defending against the submission attempts here by Backlund.
Redyan wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Bob Backlund is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Backlund is trying hard to land a takedown here. Redyan sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Backlund pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Backlund changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Redyan looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Redyan is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Backlund is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Redyan's shoulder. That is not cool.
Backlund's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backlund has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Backlund prevents Redyan from escaping the position.
Redyan seems a little lost for a moment, as Backlund dominates the positioning.
Redyan is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Backlund asserts his dominance and retains side control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Backlund keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Backlund is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Redyan can do to turn this around?

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.

Backlund feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Backlund content to stall in guard here.
Backlund looking to pass the guard.
Backlund stays in close to Redyan's body and controls the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Red Redyan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Redyan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bob Backlund showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Backlund, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight for Bob Backlund!
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight for Bob Backlund!
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight for Bob Backlund!

Bob Backlund wins by unanimous decision!
A very excited looking Bob Backlund rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.