PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Josiah Bartlet (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matthew Connor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bartlet's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Gary Numan- Praying to the Alien. Connor is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Red Hot Chili Peppers - Can't stop. Josiah Bartlet could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Matthew Connor's chin.

Bartlet
vs
Connor

170 cm
26
165 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

183 cm
27
168 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

SP Ultimate Nutrition
Fury Nutrition Inc.

GREEN!160
Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Josiah Bartlet!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Matthew Connor!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Steve Smith and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bartlet lands the left hand.
Connor scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Connor throws a right hand that Bartlet ducks under and follows up with a left that Bartlet also avoids with ease.
Connor takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Connor takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Connor checks a leg kick.
Bartlet scoring well with a low kick there.

Bartlet shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Connor manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Bartlet is looking to pass into half guard but Connor pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Connor is in guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bartlet has a closed guard, preventing Connor from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bartlet controls Connor momentarily but Connor frees himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Connor wants to get up but he can't break Bartlet's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Connor displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bartlet throws out the jab.
Bartlet thows a leg kick but Connor checks it

and Connor counters by clinching up.
Connor has had enough of the clinch but Bartlet keeps him there for the moment.
A right hook to the body lands for Bartlet.
I was talking to Bartlet's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Bartlet tries a body shot but Connor blocks it.
Connor just leaning against Bartlet, taking a breather.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bartlet.
Bartlet misses with a punch to the body.
Bartlet is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Connor wants to stall.
Connor blocks the elbow strike.
Bartlet keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Connor's efforts to push away.
Connor has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Connor lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Connor lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bartlet backwards.
Bartlet blocks an uppercut.
A short left from Connor.
Bartlet misses with the head strike.
Nice body punch from Bartlet - that landed with a thud.

Connor's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Connor blocks a head kick by Bartlet.
Connor throws a right and a left that both miss.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bartlet.
Bartlet attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Connor on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Bartlet throws a half hearted mid kick.

Bartlet closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Bartlet lands in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bartlet is looking to advance position but Connor has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Bartlet tries to hold on but Connor postures up.
Connor sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Bartlet tries to hold on but Connor pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Matthew Connor will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bartlet misses with a body shot.
A leg kick checked by Connor.
Bartlet throws a solid leg kick but Connor takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Bartlet.
A head kick by Bartlet misses

and Connor moves into the clinch.

Connor pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bartlet throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Connor is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Bartlet with a body shot.
Connor scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Bartlet wants to land a leg kick but Connor is out of range.
Connor is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Bartlet with a poor takedown
and Connor counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bartlet darts in looking for a takedown but Connor gets double underhooks and turns Bartlet into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Connor swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Bartlet.
Connor blocks a head kick by Bartlet.
Connor steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Bartlet.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Bartlet.
Josiah Bartlet seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Connor swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bartlet pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bartlet is looking to chop away at Connor's legs.
Connor tries to counter with a clinch but Bartlet shakes him off and moves away.
Matthew Connor is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bartlet throws a poor cross that misses

and Connor counters by clinching up.
Connor is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Connor swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Connor breaks from the clinch.
Bartlet tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Connor slaps away a takedown attempt from Bartlet, before circling back to the center of the mat.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Connor! But no joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josiah Bartlet. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bartlet misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bartlet throws a low kick, looking for Connor's leg but Connor calmly moves out of range.
Bartlet closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Bartlet keeps Connor at a distance using the push kick.
Bartlet misses with a looping left.
Connor defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bartlet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab from Connor.
That kick from Connor tenderised Bartlet's leg. Bartlet is trying to keep his angry face on.
Connor has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Bartlet.
Bartlet throws a head kick that misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bartlet on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Connor looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bartlet takes a swing at Connor's ribcage but misses.

Bartlet looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Connor is trying to stand back up but Bartlet is controlling him
Bartlet wants to pass to mount but Connor is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Connor wants to get back to his feet.
Bartlet thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bartlet trying to control from half guard but Connor is working away.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bartlet on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

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.
Bartlet lands an overhand right.
Connor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bartlet circles away quickly and effectively.
Bartlet tries to counter with a takedown but Connor is quick to defend against it.
Bartlet throws out a leg kick but Connor moves out of range and Bartlet only half commits.
Bartlet looks for the body kick but Connor saw that one coming.
Connor follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Bartlet throws the kick towards the body but Connor avoids it.
Matthew Connor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bartlet tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Bartlet shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Connor tries to kick Bartlet off but Bartlet keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Josiah Bartlet overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bartlet stalling away here and it's allowed Connor to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Josiah Bartlet will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Bartlet throws a sloppy head kick and Connor moves out of range easily.
Connor is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Connor lands a nice shot that snaps Bartlet's head back.
Connor moves out of range of the body kick from Bartlet.
Connor misses with an uppercut.
Matthew Connor seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bartlet throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Connor wants to counter with a clinch but Bartlet pushes him away.
Bartlet misses with a hook. Connor ducked under it nicely.
Bartlet swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Connor.
Connor fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Bartlet checks it well.
Bartlet thuds his right hand into Connor's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bartlet fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Connor keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bartlet.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Connor checks a leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Bartlet misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Connor lands with a cross.
Bartlet tries to land a body kick
and Connor cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bartlet looks to throw the jab but Connor is out of range.
Bartlet scores with a jab to the body.
Bartlet throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Connor tries to counter with a clinch but Bartlet shakes him off and moves away.
Bartlet shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Connor as he avoids it easily.
Bartlet misses with a head kick.
Bartlet fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josiah Bartlet. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bartlet tries to bum rush Connor with a series of wild strikes but Connor uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A nice side step and Connor releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bartlet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bartlet connects with a leg kick. Connor looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Connor throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bartlet is trying hard to land a takedown here. Connor sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Bartlet throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bartlet throws a poor cross that misses
and Connor counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
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!
Connor scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Bartlet swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Connor throws a counter combo.
Bartlet throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Connor throws a big counter head kick but Bartlet avoids it with no problem.
Bartlet with a poor takedown
and Connor counters with a two punch combo.
Bartlet misses with a low kick.
Connor uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bartlet.
Bartlet walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Bartlet looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Connor fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Connor blocks a head kick by Bartlet.
Connor fails to land with a series of punches.
Bartlet rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Connor to counter with a crisp jab.
Connor misses with a series of wild punches.
Bartlet takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Connor dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bartlet throws a body kick that misses
and Bartlet takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Connor has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Bartlet shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Connor pinned against the cage. Connor gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bartlet pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Connor appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Bartlet lands with a nice body kick.
Bartlet throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bartlet takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Bartlet tries to land a front kick but Connor steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bartlet's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Connor connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Bartlet scrambles back to his feet.
Bartlet shoots in for a double leg but Connor sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Connor moves out of range of the body kick.
Connor wants to counter with a clinch but Bartlet pushes him away.
Some bone on bone action there as Connor checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Some bone on bone action there as Bartlet checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Connor throws a leg kick but Bartlet sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Bartlet throws a leg kick
enabling Connor to counter with a crisp jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matthew Connor comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Connor has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!