PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Odell Paquette (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David October (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Paquette
vs
October

177 cm
27
143 lbs
12 - 6 - 1

170 cm
26
147 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Sun-Tzu

MayheM sportswear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 1, fighting out of New York, Odell Paquette!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, David October!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Patrick Alders and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

October rushes Paquette and presses him up against the cage.
Paquette makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Paquette pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
October goes for a double leg but Paquette avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Paquette continues to drive forward.
Paquette listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Paquette has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
October drops his hands momentarily and Paquette takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Odell Paquette seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paquette takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
October defending well as Paquette loads up on a big left hand.

October has taken the fight to the clinch.
Paquette lands with a light punch inside.
Paquette goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short left from Paquette.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Paquette is fighting off a takedown attempt but October is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Paquette to the mat. Paquette regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
October is fighting to break Paquette's control of his arms but Paquette is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Paquette continues to stall.
October wants to control from the top but Paquette keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paquette pulls October in close to his closed guard and prevents October from doing any damage or advancing position.
Paquette trying to keep a closed guard but October is proving a slippery customer.
Paquette pulls October in close to his closed guard and prevents October from doing any damage or advancing position.

Paquette is looking for a triangle but October pushes his legs off easily.
Paquette pulls October in close to prevent any damage.
October wants to pass the guard but Paquette is keeping the position.
Paquette seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Odell Paquette is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two 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.
October jabs at Paquette's body.
Paquette bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps October's head backwards.
October throws a shot from downtown. Paquette moves away and avoids it.
October takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

October has Paquette up against the cage in a clinch.
Paquette's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Paquette misses with the head strike.

October gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Paquette is concentrating on defense, preventing October from advancing position.
Paquette makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Paquette.
Paquette has his hands on October's head, controlling the position.
October trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Paquette looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
October is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paquette keeping moving, preventing October from controlling successfully.
Paquette has his hands on October's head, controlling the position.
October trying to control but Paquette is working from the bottom.
Paquette pulls October in to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
October wants to pass the guard but Paquette is keeping the position.
Paquette trying to control the position here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

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.
Paquette bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Paquette scores with a jab to the jaw.
Paquette uses good head movement to avoid the hook from October.
Paquette connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A left lands for Paquette.
October uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Paquette.
Paquette misses with a hook.
October throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Paquette.
October shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Paquette eats them both and turns towards October to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Nice uppercut lands for Paquette. That snapped October's head back.
Paquette keeps the fight on the outside.
October moves out of range as Paquette strikes.
October keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Paquette.
A jab from October misses.
October misses with an uppercut. Paquette saw that one coming.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
October tries to clinch there but Paquette circles away.
October fails in his attempt to clinch.
Paquette throws an overhand right that lands on October's shoulder, as October tries to avoid the shot.
Paquette avoids a punch combination nicely.
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 Odell Paquette will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

October throws a leg kick but Paquette checks it.

October rushes Paquette and presses him up against the cage.
Paquette misses with the head strike.
Paquette swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Paquette scores with a hook to the body.
October blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Paquette lands a hook to the side of the head.
October tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Paquette tries to work over October's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Paquette fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
October misses with a knee to the head.
Odell Paquette has scored more points in the clinch so far.
October tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Paquette lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of October backwards.
Paquette goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
October tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Paquette misses with a punch on the inside.
Paquette throws a punch but it's blocked by October.
October tries a knee to the head but Paquette blocks it.
Paquette pushes October back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
October has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Paquette seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if October can turn it around.
October throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paquette lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
October connects with a knee to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Paquette.
October dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
October can't find room to land a body shot as Paquette controls the action.
October throws a knee to the head but misses.
Paquette lands a nice uppercut.
October using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Paquette has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
October throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Paquette blocks it with crossed arms.

Paquette breaks the clinch.

October instigates a clinch.
October throws a knee to the head but misses.
October using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Paquette has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Paquette misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Paquette breaks the clinch.
Odell Paquette is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
October avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Paquette is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by October.
A little jabbing left from October on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
October throws an overhand right that lands on Paquette's shoulder, as Paquette tries to avoid the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
October throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Paquette avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
October throws a lazy right hand but Paquette sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Paquette misses with a straight left.
It seemed like October was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Paquette slips under a jab.
October doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
October takes one to the chin there.
Paquette swats away the attempt to clinch by October.
Paquette slips under a jab from October.
October throws a half hearted mid kick.
A swing and a miss from October.
October tries to close the distance and clinch but Paquette swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A cross from Paquette lands.
October throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Paquette sees it coming and avoids it easily.
October slips a jab from Paquette.
Paquette is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Paquette jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
October takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Paquette chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A big left from October misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paquette fakes the leg kick and cracks October in the body.
October throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
October throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
October slips a straight right by Paquette.
Odell Paquette is winning the standup battle so far.
October keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A good leg kick by Paquette.
October bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Paquette throws a right hand that misses
and October counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Paquette thinking.
Paquette misses with a looping left.
Paquette tries to move into range but October moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
An inside leg kick from Paquette misses.
A jab from Paquette misses.
October throws a big shot that misses.
October is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
October avoids the body shot from Paquette.
A jab lands there for Paquette.
October will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Paquette uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from October.
This has been an exciting period of action!
October throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
October pivots, looking for a leg kick but Paquette is out of range and October settles back down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paquette moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
October dodges the punch combination from Paquette.
Paquette misses with a wild body shot.
Paquette keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice jab there from October.
The crowd cheers as Paquette lands an impressive looking overhand right. October doesn't seem phased though.
Paquette lands with a shot to the body.
October lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Paquette circles away quickly and effectively.
October waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Paquette.
Paquette catches October with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
October checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
October swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Paquette swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
October swings away with a leg kick that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
October bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
It seemed like October was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Paquette checks a leg kick nicely.
Paquette misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
October tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Paquette manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
October looks to land a right hand but Paquette moved out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Odell Paquette dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Paquette checks the leg kick.
Paquette throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent October stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Paquette throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck October on the side of the head.
Paquette swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nice cross by Paquette.
October misses with the combination.
October tries to close the distance and clinch up but Paquette swats him away and circles back towards the center.
October throws a hook but Paquette blocks it.
October keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

October clinches.
October throws a knee to the head but misses.
A hook to the body from Paquette.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
October throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Paquette blocks it with crossed arms.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Paquette creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Paquette tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Paquette pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
October fails to land with a series of punches.
Paquette swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab from Paquette does it's job there.
October misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
October throws a big shot that misses.
A big right from Paquette misses.
October takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Donk. Paquette catches October right on the button with a cross.
Paquette shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. October eats them both and turns towards Paquette to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Paquette steps to the side to avoid the strikes from October.
Paquette throws a combination but it was largely blocked by October.
October with a nice cross.
Paquette connects with a jab.
October has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
October shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Paquette but Paquette pushes him off and we're back to square one.
October lands with a nice body punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Paquette throws a big shot that misses.
Paquette misses with a jab, cross combination.
As Paquette backs off October throws a huge counter combo but Paquette manages to avoid it all.
October rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Paquette moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
October throws the left hand but Paquette avoids the punch easily.
A big right from October misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
October tries to clinch up.
Nice cross by Paquette.
Paquette scores with a nice strike.
Paquette lands a head shot.
Paquette misses with a hook.
October misses with a body shot.
October rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Paquette moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
October missing with a left hand there. Paquette was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Paquette throws a low kick but it's checked well by October.
A telegraphed right hand from October misses the target.
Paquette listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
October misses with the combination.
October takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
October scores with a kick to the midsection.
October fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Paquette manages to avoid it.
Paquette digs a good hook to October's body.
The fighters circle momentarily. October darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Paquette throws a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paquette misses with a left hand
and October connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Paquette ducks under a wild hook from October.
Nice straight punches there by Paquette. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Paquette.
Paquette keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from October.
Paquette lands a jab.
October looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
October throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Paquette throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
October chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Paquette can pounce on him.
Decent striking displayed by Paquette there.
October lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
October slips a jab from Paquette.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from October! But no joy.
October throws a series of punches but Paquette avoids them all with ease.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
October moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Good standup being displayed there by October as he connects with a hook.
October takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Some bone on bone action there as Paquette checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

October closes the distance and pushes Paquette back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paquette working some nice short punches in the clinch.
October throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Paquette blocks it with crossed arms.

Paquette escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
October tries to bum rush Paquette with a series of wild strikes but Paquette uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
October fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Paquette manages to avoid it.
No joy there for Paquette, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
David October has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Paquette misses with a hook. October ducked under it nicely.
Paquette cracks October with an open hand slap.
A cross from Paquette lands.
October fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
October lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Paquette circles away quickly and effectively.
Paquette stuns October with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Paquette lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Paquette wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Paquette connects with a leg kick. October looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Paquette misses with a few strikes there.
Paquette fakes high and swings low for a body shot but October manages to avoid it.
Paquette scores with a jab to the jaw.

And that's the end of the fight!
Odell Paquette showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Paquette, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Odell Paquette!