PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Destin Craven (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lance Carter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Destin Craven has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Craven
vs
Carter

178 cm
18
170 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

183 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Destin Craven!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Lance Carter!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Ryoma Takatsuka and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Craven gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Carter tries to throw a body punch but Craven avoids it by throwing Carter back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Carter.
A right hand to the body from Carter.

Craven ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Craven no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Craven keeping moving, preventing Carter from controlling successfully.
Craven looking for a sweep. Not yet Craven, not yet.
Carter trying to control the position from guard on top but Craven is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Carter not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Craven manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

Craven drags the fight down to the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carter is looking to stand up but Craven won't let him.
Craven is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Carter won't allow Craven to sweep him here.
Carter prevents Craven from getting back to his feet.
Carter trying to control the position from guard on top but Craven is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Carter wants to stand but Craven has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Carter won't allow Craven to sweep him here.

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

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.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Craven is defended easily by Carter.
Carter looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Carter loads up on a big right hand but Craven slips the punch.

Carter tries to keep at a distance but Craven has taken the fight into the clinch.
Craven lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Carter backwards.
Craven misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nice elbow from Craven.

Craven manages to break the clinch.
Carter slips under a jab.
Carter uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Craven.

Craven moves into range and clinches up with Carter.
Craven wants a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carter has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Carter is trying to stall.
Carter is trying to maintain a safe position but Craven gets an underhook and turns Carter into the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Carter creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Craven blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Craven pulls Carter into guard.
Carter trying to control but Craven is working from the bottom.
Craven is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Carter preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Craven is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Carter trying to control but Craven is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Craven tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Craven doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Craven manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Carter won't allow Craven to sweep him here.
Craven has control of Carter's left arm, preventing Carter from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Destin Craven dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Craven uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Carter.
Carter throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Craven swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Craven shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Carter counters with a three punch combo that has Craven backing up. Craven nods at Carter to acknowledge the strikes.
Destin Craven seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice sprawl there from Carter as Craven shoots in.

Craven gets a double leg takedown into Carter's guard.
Craven won't allow Carter to sweep him here.
Craven slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Carter keeping full guard, as Craven tries to pass.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Craven drops back looking for a leg! Carter is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Carter manages to kick Craven off! Craven jumps back into Carter's guard.
Carter wants to get back to his feet but Craven is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Craven is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Craven is looking to work some ground and pound but Carter has wrist control.
Craven content to stall in guard here.
Carter looking to hit a scissor sweep but Craven is one step ahead there.
Craven showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Craven misses with a kick to the body.

Craven has taken the fight to the clinch.

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.
Craven goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Craven has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Carter clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Craven misses with an elbow to the head.
Craven punches the canvas rather than the man.
Carter tries to roll but Craven sticks to his back.

Craven has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Craven controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Carter defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Craven's arms.

Craven has his opponent's back but Carter is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off Craven.
We've been told by Craven's head coaches at Island Warriors -13 ELITE Coaches that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Craven shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Destin Craven. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Carter blocks a low kick nicely.

Craven closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Craven tries to pull guard but Carter holds him up against the cage and eventually Craven drops back down to his feet.
Craven working aggressively here.
Carter misses with an elbow strike.

Craven drags the fight down to the ground.
Destin Craven overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Craven managing to control the position.

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

Craven pushes down on Carter's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Craven is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Carter!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Craven working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Craven working for a guillotine from mount but Carter is in no mood to give up.
Carter tries to reverse the position but Craven maintains control.

Craven looking to secure an arm triangle but Carter defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Destin Craven dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Carter scores with a hook to the body. Craven takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Carter tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Craven was well out of range. Poor timing from Carter.
Craven throwing a counter right hand but Carter manages to avoid it.

Craven has managed to clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Carter's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Craven misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Carter.
Craven tries to work over Carter's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Craven creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Craven using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Carter has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Craven throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Craven takes an elbow to the forehead.
Carter misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Carter is trying to force a seperation but Craven has the dominant position.
Carter is pressed up against the cage. Craven has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Carter down to the mat. Carter avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Carter blocks a head kick by Craven.
Carter unleashes a big counter combination but Craven bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Craven looks to throw a body kick
and Carter counters with a stiff right hand.

Craven throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Carter tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Craven is in Carter's guard.
Craven wants to control from the top but Carter keeps moving.
Craven is stalling in the full guard.
Carter really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Craven. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Carter wants to get back to his feet but Craven is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Carter looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Craven postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Craven throwing strikes but missing.
Craven working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carter wants to sweep here but Craven controlling him for the moment.
Carter controls Craven momentarily but Craven frees himself.
Craven slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Carter utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Craven in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Craven content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Craven won't allow Carter to sweep him here.
Craven postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Craven is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Carter can do to turn this around?
Craven in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Craven slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Carter is on top in guard.

Lance Carter has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Craven looking to hit a scissor sweep but Carter is one step ahead there.
Destin Craven is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Craven controlling the position.

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.
Craven wants to stand but Carter is controlling the position.
Craven controlling Carter's posture.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Craven goes for a double leg but Carter avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Carter continues to drive forward.
Carter throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Carter throws a low kick but Craven avoids it.
Craven misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Destin Craven. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Carter blocks a low kick nicely.

Craven has Carter up against the cage in a clinch.
Craven blocks the elbow strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Destin Craven showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Craven, 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Destin Craven!