PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nick Hailey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Emery Devlin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nick Hailey has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hailey
vs
Devlin

185 cm
26
170 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

180 cm
19
175 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Nick Hailey!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Emery Devlin!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Russell Pearce and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Devlin closes the distance and clinches.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Hailey tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Devlin smiles and moves away.

Devlin manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Hailey on his heels. He'll look to pass Hailey's guard now, I'm sure.

Hailey is looking for a triangle but Devlin pushes his legs off easily.

Devlin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hailey has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Devlin has managed to get both his arms back between Hailey's legs - danger averted.
Devlin working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hailey's head.
Devlin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Devlin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hailey throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Devlin postures up in Hailey's guard and throws a big left but Hailey blocks it.
Devlin is looking to work some ground and pound but Hailey has wrist control.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hailey preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Devlin thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Devlin really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hailey. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Devlin working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Devlin gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Devlin misses with a wild combination.

Devlin gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Hailey jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Devlin walks away with a smile on his face. Hailey gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Devlin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Devlin fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hailey sprawls well initially but Devlin persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Hailey is refusing to be controlled, as Devlin sits in half guard.

Devlin is trying to work for a kimura but Hailey is defending well.

Devlin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hailey is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Devlin pulls his head out easily.

Devlin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Hailey is looking for a sweep. Devlin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Devlin looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Devlin content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Devlin seems to be looking for submissions.

Hailey looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Hailey looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hailey wants to get back to full guard.

Devlin is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hailey has managed to free his arm - good work.

Devlin is looking for a kimura but Hailey is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Devlin to get the leverage.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Devlin lands a nice short elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Devlin wants to get back to his feet.
Hailey is staying active underneath Devlin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Devlin wants to free his trapped foot but Hailey is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Hailey actively working from the bottom here.

Devlin is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Hailey blocking the ground and pound attempt from Devlin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Devlin is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hailey doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Devlin.
Hailey blocking the ground and pound attempt from Devlin.

Hailey looking for submissions off his back.

Hailey looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Devlin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hailey defends it well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Devlin is trying to work for a kimura but Hailey is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emery Devlin dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Devlin throws a head kick but Hailey moves out of range.
Devlin lands with a shot to the body.
Hailey shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hailey shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Devlin as he jumps to the side.
Hailey changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Devlin tries to avoid it but Hailey manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Devlin to the ground. Devlin escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Hailey. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Hailey with that takedown attempt.

Devlin moves into the clinch.
Devlin can't break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hailey fails to pull guard.
Devlin slows down the pace here.
Devlin throws an elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Devlin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Devlin can't break the clinch.
Devlin wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hailey has him pressed against the cage.
Devlin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hailey tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Devlin just stands there and leans against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Devlin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Devlin has had enough of the clinch but Hailey keeps him there for the moment.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Devlin.
Hailey tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Devlin smiles and moves away.
Hailey shoots for a double leg takedown but Devlin sprawls well. He's pushed Hailey's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hailey goes for a double leg but Devlin avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Devlin continues to drive forward.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hailey gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Devlin to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Hailey keeping moving, preventing Devlin from controlling successfully.

Hailey is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Devlin is aware though and is defending well.

Devlin thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Devlin lands a couple of elbows.
Devlin trying to control but Hailey is working from the bottom.
Devlin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Devlin trying to control but Hailey is working from the bottom.

Hailey is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Devlin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Devlin stands up over Hailey, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Devlin passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Hailey is looking for a sweep.
Devlin working the ground and pound but Hailey is defending the strikes.
Devlin wants to control but Hailey is keeping him busy.

Devlin is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Hailey knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Devlin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hailey keeps working.

Devlin is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Hailey knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Hailey tries to bench press Devlin off him but Devlin keeps the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Devlin tries to advance to mount but Hailey denies him.

Devlin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hailey is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Devlin thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Devlin wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hailey, who protects the arm well.
Hailey manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Devlin missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Hailey looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Hailey looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emery Devlin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Hailey's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Devlin's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Devlin duly obliges.
Devlin tries a head kick but it misses.
Devlin looks to land a combination but Hailey avoids it well.
Hailey shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Devlin sprawls well. Devlin wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hailey gets slowly back to his feet.
Hailey is trying hard to land a takedown here. Devlin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Devlin shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hailey's guard.

Hailey throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Devlin's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Devlin with a nice head shot there.
Devlin trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hailey's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hailey avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Devlin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Devlin stands and steps away. Hailey gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Devlin lands a jab-cross combination.
Devlin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hailey dives in and grabs Devlin's left leg, looking for a takedown. Devlin pushes down on Hailey's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Hailey. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Devlin tries to bum rush Hailey with a series of wild strikes but Hailey uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hailey checks the leg kick nicely there.

Devlin rushes Hailey and presses him up against the cage.
Hailey tries to pull guard but Devlin holds him up against the cage and eventually Hailey drops back down to his feet.
Hailey tries to pull guard but Devlin won't allow it.
Devlin swings wildly with an uppercut but Hailey uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hailey jumps guard but Devlin stands there with Hailey around his waist. Hailey gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Devlin throws an elbow but misses.
Hailey tries to pull guard but Devlin forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Hailey jumps guard but Devlin stands there with Hailey around his waist. Hailey gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Devlin is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Hailey can't fight it off and eventually Devlin manages to take the fight to the floor. Hailey looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Devlin forces his way into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Hailey looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Devlin wants to control but Hailey is keeping him busy.

Hailey looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Devlin is looking for a kimura here.
Hailey wants to control but Devlin is keeping busy.

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.

Devlin is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Hailey looking for submissions off his back.

Devlin is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hailey sees it coming and defends easily.

Hailey looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hailey won't allow Devlin to pass to mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Devlin looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Hailey looking for submissions off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Emery Devlin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Devlin has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Emery Devlin!
A relieved looking Emery Devlin thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.