PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Randall Wickam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Palmer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Palmer's choice of entrance music: Sans Pression - Numero 1. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Wickam
vs
Palmer

177 cm
23
183 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

175 cm
31
170 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Héritage!

Spartan Nutrition

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 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Randall Wickam!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, George Palmer!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Steve Smith and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wickam throws a looping overhand right but Palmer ducks down to avoid it.
Palmer bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Wickam avoids the head kick by Palmer.
Wickam looks to land a left hand but Palmer moved out of range nicely.
We've been hearing reports that Wickam has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Palmer with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A looping hook to the body misses from Wickam. Palmer does a little dance to reset his feet.
Wickam throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Palmer has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Wickam scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Palmer fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Wickam.
Wickam looks to land a right hand but Palmer moved out of range.
Randall Wickam seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Palmer takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Palmer uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Wickam.
Wickam lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Wickam 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.
Wickam takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wickam takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Palmer avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Wickam keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Palmer.
Wickam tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Palmer was well out of range. Poor timing from Wickam.
Palmer scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Wickam doesn't seem bothered though.
Palmer feints and then cracks Wickam's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Wickam down.
Wickam shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Palmer defends it nicely.
A big right from Wickam misses.
Wickam misses with an uppercut.
Wickam throws a lazy right hand but Palmer sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Palmer feints the counter takedown.
Wickam scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wickam throws a hook but Palmer blocks it.
Wickam lands with a hook. Palmer tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Palmer fails with a takedown attempt.
Palmer avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Wickam takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Palmer throws a head kick that misses.
Wickam thuds his right hand into Palmer's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Palmer tries to land a front kick but Wickam steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Wickam throwing a counter right hand but Palmer manages to avoid it.
Palmer connects with an inside leg kick.
Palmer closes this distance looking for a takedown but Wickam circles away.
The fighters circling - Wickam throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Palmer misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palmer slaps away a takedown attempt from Wickam, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A solid leg kick lands there for Palmer.
Wickam walks into a stiff left hand from Palmer.
A nice inside leg kick there by Palmer. That's going to slow Wickam down.
Wickam has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Palmer.
A slapping leg kick lands for Palmer.
Wickam has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Palmer.
Wickam misses the shot to the body.

Wickam feints and as Palmer raises his hands in defense, Wickam changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Wickam stopping the sweep attempt from Palmer.
Wickam is looking to work some ground and pound but Palmer has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wickam won't allow Palmer to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Palmer keeping moving, preventing Wickam from controlling successfully.
Palmer is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Palmer is looking for a triangle but Wickam pushes his legs off easily.
Palmer keeping moving, preventing Wickam from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Wickam misses with a straight left.
Palmer moves out of range as Wickam strikes.
Wickam throws a hook but Palmer blocks it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Palmer throws a front kick that sends Wickam stumbling back into the cage.
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 Randall Wickam will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Palmer scoring well with a low kick there.
Wickam throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Palmer sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Palmer fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Palmer throws a head kick that misses.
Wickam fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Palmer manages to avoid it.
Wickam throws a sloppy body shot

and Palmer counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Wickam can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Palmer controls the pace.
Palmer trying to control the position from guard on top but Wickam is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wickam controls Palmer momentarily but Palmer frees himself.
Wickam keeping moving, preventing Palmer from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wickam pulls Palmer in close to his closed guard and prevents Palmer from doing any damage or advancing position.
Wickam keeping moving, preventing Palmer from controlling successfully.
Palmer advances to half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Palmer seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Palmer moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Wickam throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Randall Wickam is winning the standup battle so far.
Wickam chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Palmer can pounce on him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palmer thuds his shin into the meat of Wickam's side.
Nice defenses there by Palmer.
Palmer tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Good leg kick by Palmer there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Wickam takes a swing at Palmer's ribcage but misses.
Wickam takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
A slow jab from Wickam misses its intended target.
Nice sprawl there from Wickam as Palmer shoots in.
Wickam throws a shot from downtown. Palmer moves away and avoids it.
Wickam swinging wildly here.
Wickam shoots in looking for a takedown. Palmer tries to sprawl out of it but Wickam keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Palmer manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palmer ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Palmer moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
A punch lands to the side of Wickam 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Wickam throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Palmer sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Palmer connects with a body shot.
Wickam tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
The fighters circle momentarily. Wickam darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A big right from Wickam misses.
Wickam misses with a double jab.
Wickam misses with an uppercut. Palmer saw that one coming.
Wickam walks forward, straight into a front kick from Palmer.
Palmer fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Randall Wickam has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George Palmer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wickam shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Wickam was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Palmer tries to bench press Wickam off him but Wickam keeps the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wickam gets to mount! Palmer was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Palmer regains half guard.
Palmer wants to improve his position but Wickam is controlling well.
Palmer works his way to full guard. Good work.

Palmer is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Palmer is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Wickam is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but George Palmer will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Wickam looks to land a right hand but Palmer moved out of range.
Wickam looks to throw the jab but Palmer is out of range.
Wickam takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Wickam looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Palmer slips under a jab from Wickam.
A good leg kick by Palmer.
Wickam is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Palmer pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Palmer tests Wickam's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Wickam throws a series of punches but Palmer moves out of range.
Palmer feints the counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wickam shoots in looking for a takedown. Palmer tries to sprawl out of it but Wickam keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Palmer manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Palmer drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Wickam defends it well.
A nice inside leg kick there by Palmer. That's going to slow Wickam down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palmer is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Palmer scores with a leg kick.
Wickam misses the shot to the body.
Wickam looks to land a left hand but Palmer moved out of range nicely.
A jab from Wickam misses.
A big right from Wickam misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Palmer.
Palmer scores with a nice strike.
Wickam misses with a hook. Palmer ducked under it nicely.
Wickam shoots in for a double leg but Palmer sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Wickam loads up on a big right hand but Palmer slips the punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Palmer, right into the meat.
Palmer connects with a solid leg kick.
Palmer lands a jab to Wickam's midsection.
Wickam misses with a straight left.
Palmer shoots in but no luck this time.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wickam throws a body shot but no joy.
Palmer darts in looking for a takedown but Wickam gets double underhooks and turns Palmer into the cage.
Palmer shoots for a double leg takedown but Wickam sprawls well. He's pushed Palmer's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Randall Wickam has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George Palmer.
Wickam looks to land a right hand but Palmer moved out of range.
Wickam fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Palmer lands a leg kick that knocks Wickam off balance momentarily.
Palmer explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palmer looks for a takedown but Wickam sprawls well.
Palmer ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Palmer avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Wickam lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Palmer connects with a good right hand that stumbles Wickam. Wickam circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Palmer slips a jab from Wickam.
Wickam works the jab nicely.
Palmer uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Wickam.
Wickam pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Palmer lands a nice looking kick to the body. Wickam takes a step back to recover.
Wickam misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palmer takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Palmer thumps Wickam with a low kick.
Wickam will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Palmer uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Wickam.
Palmer feints the counter takedown.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Palmer moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Wickam misses with an uppercut. Palmer saw that one coming.
Wickam fails to land the takedown.
Palmer moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Wickam has a takedown stuffed.
Palmer looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to George Palmer.
I think Palmer 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 29:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:29
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:28

The fight is ruled a majority draw!