PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Devon Paul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oliver Bignell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Paul
vs
Bignell

210 cm
18
161 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Devon Paul!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Oliver Bignell!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Paul Tew and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paul with a poor takedown

and Bignell counters by moving into the clinch.

Bignell has Paul pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Bignell pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Paul tumbling to the mat - Bignell dives into Paul's guard.
Paul wants to stand up but Bignell is controlling him.
Bignell engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Paul wants to stand but Bignell is controlling the position.
Paul really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paul wants to sweep but no luck.
Paul working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bignell.
Paul is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Bignell instigates a clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Bignell throws an elbow but misses.
Bignell is working Paul over against the cage.
Bignell wants to get back to striking at distance but Paul won't allow it.

Paul gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Paul trying to control the pace.
Bignell is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bignell is looking to get back to full guard here but Paul has managed to pass to side control instead.
What's Bignell going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Bignell tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Paul presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bignell tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paul avoids the attempt from Bignell to control.
Paul trying to control but Bignell is having none of it.
Bignell is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Paul trying to control but Bignell is having none of it.

That's four 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.
Bignell can't escape the position.
Bignell wants to control but Paul is having none of it.
Paul controlling his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bignell tries to improve his position but instead Paul has taken his back!
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 Devon Paul will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bignell has managed to clinch.
Bignell gets underhooks to prevent Paul's takedown attempt.
Bignell gets underhooks to prevent Paul's takedown attempt.

Bignell has picked Paul up - he's going for a ride! Bignell dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Paul looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Paul is trying to stand up here but Bignell is controlling him well.
Bignell uses his free foot to push down on Paul's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Paul.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Paul defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Bignell.
Paul is trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bignell looking to finish with strikes here!
Oliver Bignell has got the better of the ground game so far.
Paul is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Bignell lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Paul bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Bignell looking to control.

Bignell working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Paul has passed into half guard!
Bignell wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bignell wants to get back to full guard but Paul has passed into side control.
Bignell struggling a bit here.
Bignell wants to get back to his feet.
Paul trying to control the position but Bignell is working away.
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.
You can see the frustration on Bignell's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Paul controlling the position from side mount.
Paul wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bignell keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Bignell is trying to improve his position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Bignell throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

Paul rushes Bignell and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bignell has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A frustrated look appears on Bignell's face as he tries to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oliver Bignell showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Paul tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Bignell shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Paul manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Paul keeping moving, preventing Bignell from controlling successfully.
Bignell is standing up over Paul. Paul looks to escape but Bignell dives into side control.
The strikes coming from Bignell are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Paul manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paul is trying to stand.
Paul tries to get to full guard but Bignell has control of the leg.
Paul pushes Bignell off looking to stand but Bignell dives back in and keeps control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Paul.

Paul wriggles free and stands up.

Bignell closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Paul to the mat! Paul manages to get full guard.
Bignell slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Paul throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

Bignell closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Bignell takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Paul moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Paul keeping full guard, as Bignell tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paul lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Paul won't allow Bignell to sweep him here.
Bignell trying to control the position.
Paul sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paul trying to control the position from guard on top but Bignell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bignell looking to control but Paul passes into half guard.
Paul trying to control the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Bignell tries to kick Paul off but Paul keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Bignell trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Bignell working to try and regain half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Paul trying to control but Bignell is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Devon Paul.
I think Paul has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 28:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Oliver Bignell!