PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Anton Newcombe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ralph Miller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ralph Miller has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Newcombe
vs
Miller

165 cm
26
150 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

170 cm
26
150 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Anton Newcombe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Ralph Miller!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Daniel Bishop and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Miller throws a right and a left that Newcombe avoids nicely.
Newcombe attempts a counter takedown but Miller avoids it well and moves away.
Newcombe closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Miller scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Newcombe misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Miller scores with a jab.
Ralph Miller seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Miller falls off balance throwing a combination

and Newcombe counters with a takedown into side control.
Miller is looking for a sweep.
Newcombe remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Miller tries to improve position but can't.
Miller keeps trying to improve his position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newcombe scoring with punches from side control.

Newcombe tries for a kimura but Miller is defending well.

Newcombe tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Newcombe tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Miller tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Newcombe wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Miller is being controlled here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Newcombe scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Miller to see if he's OK.
Miller is looking for a sweep.
Newcombe has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Newcombe trying to control the action but Miller is working from the bottom.
Newcombe cracks Miller with a big right hand but Miller just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Miller takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Miller is looking to reverse the position.
Miller managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Newcombe.
Newcombe trying to control the position but Miller is working away.
Newcombe scores with a couple of short elbows.
Newcombe wants to control but Miller is keeping him busy.
You can see the frustration on Miller's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newcombe is looking to take a break and control but Miller is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Miller felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Miller is trying to control Newcombe's posture but Newcombe avoids it.
Newcombe advances to mount.

Newcombe has hold of Miller's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Miller manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Newcombe scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Miller?
BOOM! Newcombe connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Newcombe with good strikes from the mount here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Newcombe lands a couple of good shots and Miller has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Miller wants to escape the position.
Newcombe tries to keep control of the position but Miller is staying busy.
We've been hearing good reports from Newcombe's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Newcombe lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Miller.

It looks like Ralph Miller has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Miller is trying to break free.
Miller tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Miller tries to lock up and control but Newcombe gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Miller is bucking up trying to escape but Newcombe cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Miller is in a horrible position here. Newcombe smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Miller taking shots to the head.
Newcombe putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Newcombe dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ralph Miller's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Miller misses with an uppercut

and Newcombe counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Newcombe sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Miller's guard.
Newcombe wants to pass to mount but Miller is defending the position.
Miller is looking for a sweep. Newcombe is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Newcombe landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Newcombe lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Miller is trying to control but can't.
Newcombe trying to control the pace.
Miller tries to roll over but Newcombe keeps him under control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Newcombe looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Newcombe passes to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Newcombe wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Miller, who protects the arm well.
Miller is not content to let Newcombe control the position.
Newcombe taking a breather here.

Newcombe tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Newcombe is looking to take a break and control but Miller is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Miller is looking for a sweep.
The referee asks Newcombe politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Newcombe prefers to stall for the moment though.
Newcombe scores with a couple of short elbows.
Miller defending against the ground and pound.
You can see the frustration on Miller's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Newcombe tries to score with some ground and pound. Miller controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Miller is working to avoid the ground and pound but Newcombe connects with a decent elbow.
Newcombe gets to mount! Miller was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Newcombe raining down hammerfists from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newcombe working Miller over with strikes here.
Miller is squirming around, avoiding Newcombe's attempts to control the action.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Newcombe cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Newcombe lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Newcombe has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Miller's face.
Newcombe working Miller over with strikes here.
Miller is in a horrible position here. Newcombe smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Miller is in a horrible position here. Newcombe smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Miller working to try and regain half guard.
Newcombe takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Miller is working to get back to half guard.
Miller is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Newcombe trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Newcombe looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Newcombe sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Newcombe landing punches.
Miller can't escape the position.
Newcombe lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Miller hang on?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Newcombe dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ralph Miller's cut.
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. And we move into the final round!

Miller bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A jab lands there for Miller.
Miller lands a lovely overhand right.
Newcombe is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Miller can do to turn this around?
Newcombe looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Miller misses with a jab, cross combination.
Newcombe drops down looking for a counter takedown but Miller sprawls and moves away.
Miller lands a two punch combo.
Miller keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Miller. Newcombe does a little dance to reset his feet.
Newcombe changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Miller scores with a decent looking hook.

Newcombe rushes Miller and presses him up against the cage.

Newcombe breaks the clinch.
Ralph Miller seems to be getting the better of the standup.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Miller scores with a hook.
Newcombe misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newcombe takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Newcombe drops his hands momentarily and Miller takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Miller cracks Newcombe with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Miller lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Miller thuds his right hand into Newcombe's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Newcombe moves into the clinch.

Newcombe manages to break the clinch.
Miller scores with a sloppy right hand. Newcombe should have avoided that one.
Newcombe takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Newcombe closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Newcombe misses with a body punch.
Miller tries to stall but Newcombe uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Knees in the clinch landing for Newcombe.
Newcombe tries a knee to the head but Miller blocks it.
Anton Newcombe is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Newcombe turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Newcombe looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Miller is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Newcombe scores with punches from side control.
Miller tries to improve position but can't.
Miller avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Newcombe.
The referee asks Newcombe politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Newcombe prefers to stall for the moment though.

Newcombe is trying to get an arm triangle but Miller is defending well.
Miller is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller wants to control but Newcombe postures up.
Miller regains half guard.
Newcombe working over Miller with some ground and pound. Miller looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Anton Newcombe overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Miller tries to roll over but Newcombe keeps him under control.
Newcombe is controlling the pace.

Newcombe is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Miller doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Newcombe.
Miller is looking for a sweep. Newcombe is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

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.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Newcombe wants to pass the guard but Miller is defending well.
Newcombe thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Miller's head.
Newcombe lands with a punch from half guard.
Newcombe moves into full mount! Miller won't be happy about that!
Newcombe pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Ralph Miller has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Miller taking shots to the head.
Newcombe sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Newcombe cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

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 Anton Newcombe.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Newcombe, 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:26
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:26
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anton Newcombe!
After the fight, Anton Newcombe was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.