PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tyson Pain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bob Backlund (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bob Backlund struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 172.0lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. On his way into the cage it seems that Tyson Pain has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Tyson Pain seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Pain
vs
Backlund

188 cm
32
178 lbs
14 - 12 - 0

189 cm
29
189 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

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 14 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tyson Pain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bob Backlund!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Micheangelo Fripello and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Backlund throws a leg kick which misses Pain's front leg but catches the back leg as Pain tries to avoid it.
Backlund throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pain feinted with a counter takedown.

Pain bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Backlund manages to work his way to half guard, despite Pain's best efforts.
Pain wants to pass the guard but Backlund is defending well.
Pain not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Backlund wants to get back to full guard.
Backlund makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Backlund.
Backlund keeping full guard, as Pain tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pain is working hard here to advance position.

Backlund working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pain doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pain manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Backlund tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backlund is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Pain is pressing down on Backlund's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Pain working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Backlund.

Backlund drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Backlund jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Pain managing to control the position.
Pain is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pain has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Backlund can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Pain is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Backlund is aware though and is defending well.

Pain throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Pain can't keep his opponent in guard - Backlund advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Backlund is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Pain is just riding it out for now. Backlund eventually gives up the hold.
Backlund looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pain on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Pain wants to improve his position but Backlund is controlling well.
Backlund uses his free foot to push down on Pain's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Pain.
Pain is looking to improve his position but Backlund isn't that keen on the idea.
Backlund landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pain defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Backlund.

Backlund has hold of Pain's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Pain manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Pain is trying desperately to improve position.
Pain tries to hold on but Backlund pushes him away.
Pain is working to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Backlund fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Backlund dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Pain throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Backlund tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Pain is in Backlund's guard.

Backlund is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Pain defends well.
Backlund can't keep his opponent in guard - Pain advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Backlund wants to get back to full guard.
Pain wants to pass to mount but Backlund is defending the position.
Backlund is looking to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Backlund looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Pain pushes past his half guard into mount!
Backlund is squirming around, avoiding Pain's attempts to control the action.
Pain forces the positional change into back control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Pain's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

Pain has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Backlund breaks Pain's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Backlund preventing the sweep.

Pain is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Backlund is aware though and is defending well.
Pain is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Backlund forces his way into half guard.
Backlund takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Backlund is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Backlund prevents Pain from improving his position.

Backlund is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Pain wants to control but Backlund is keeping busy.
Backlund tries to pass to full mount but Pain defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Backlund 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.
Pain is trying to get back to full guard.
Pain taking some punishment here, with Backlund in his half guard.
Backlund prevents Pain from improving his position.
Bob Backlund has got the better of the ground game so far.

Pain looking for submissions off his back.
Backlund is nestled in close to Pain, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backlund working the head and body with strikes.
Pain is looking for a sweep. Backlund is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Pain moves into full guard.
Backlund trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Pain looking to hit a scissor sweep but Backlund is one step ahead there.
Backlund landing with the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Pain has his foot on Backlund's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Backlund works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Bob Backlund will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Backlund misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Pain closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Pain is trying to control. Backlund wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Backlund wants to improve his position but Pain is controlling well.
Pain passes the guard and advances to mount!
Backlund regains half guard.
Pain thows a huge punch but Backlund dodges it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pain passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Backlund!
Backlund tries to reverse the position but Pain maintains control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pain moves to the back.

Pain looking for the RNC.
Backlund tries to escape but Pain has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Pain has got his arm under Backlund's chin working for the choke… has he got it? It looks pretty tight! Oh! Backlund has spun round into Pain's guard beautifully! Well done that man!
Pain tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Backlund is looking to work some ground and pound but Pain has wrist control.
Pain manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Backlund manages to get himself to full guard.

Tyson Pain has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bob Backlund is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Backlund looking to hit a scissor sweep but Pain is one step ahead there.
Pain wants to control from the top but Backlund keeps moving.
Backlund is pulling down on Pain's head to control his posture.
Pain tries to free his leg and advance position but Backlund is retaining full guard.
Pain trying to control the position from guard on top but Backlund is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Backlund controlling Pain's posture.
Pain pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Backlund is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backlund trying to control the position here.
Pain trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Backlund tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Backlund keeping moving, preventing Pain from controlling successfully.
Pain is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Backlund is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Backlund not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

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.
Backlund scores with a head kick. Pain tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Tyson Pain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Pain shoots in and bounces Backlund off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Pain passes Backlund's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Pain is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Backlund defends it well.

Pain seems to be looking for submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Backlund is holding on to half guard well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tyson Pain showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Backlund 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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bob Backlund!
Bob Backlund bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.