PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Louis Puckett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Montgomery Illyasova (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Louis Puckett has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Puckett
vs
Illyasova

222 cm
19
151 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

200 cm
24
154 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Louis Puckett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Montgomery Illyasova!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Puckett misses with the combination.
Illyasova shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Puckett counters by moving into the clinch.
Illyasova drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Puckett gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Illyasova has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Puckett uses from the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Puckett throws an elbow that misses. Illyasova uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Puckett's guard. Nice move by Illyasova!

Puckett trying to keep a closed guard but Illyasova is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Illyasova wants to control from the top but Puckett keeps moving.
Illyasova might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Puckett haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Puckett looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Illyasova pushes down on Puckett's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Illyasova trying to mount his opponent but Puckett defends it.
Puckett is staying active underneath Illyasova, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Puckett is trying to get back to full guard.
Puckett trying to control here.
Puckett gets full guard.
Puckett is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Puckett working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Illyasova doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Illyasova manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Puckett really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Puckett utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Illyasova missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Illyasova's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Illyasova shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Puckett as he avoids it easily.
Louis Puckett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Montgomery Illyasova.
Illyasova looks to throw the jab but Puckett is out of range.
Illyasova closes this distance looking for a takedown but Puckett circles away.
A quick step to the side and Puckett tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

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.
Puckett takes a jab right on the kisser.

Illyasova instigates a clinch.
Illyasova tries for a takedown but Puckett manages to get underhooks.

Illyasova decides to pull guard.
Puckett trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Illyasova looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Illyasova trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Puckett throws a strike but Illyasova rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Montgomery Illyasova dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Illyasova moves into the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Puckett has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Illyasova avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Illyasova tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Illyasova gets control of Puckett's arms and successfully pulls guard. Illyasova will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Puckett has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Puckett lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Puckett content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Illyasova seems keen to control Puckett's posture.
Puckett trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Puckett drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Illyasova manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Puckett has Illyasova in his guard.

Puckett keeping full guard, as Illyasova tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Illyasova trying to control the position from guard on top but Puckett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Puckett is trying to control the position but Illyasova postures up.
Illyasova trying to control but Puckett is working from the bottom.
Puckett knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Illyasova on the ground.
Puckett managing to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Illyasova advances to half guard.
Puckett regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Illyasova.
Illyasova controls from within his opponent's guard.
Montgomery Illyasova has got the better of the ground game so far.
Puckett trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Illyasova in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Puckett working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Illyasova has passed into half guard!
Illyasova looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Illyasova is trying to control. Puckett wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Some wild striking there from Illyasova.
As Illyasova looks to move away, Puckett throws a big counter combo but Illyasova just gets out of the way.

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.

Illyasova darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Puckett has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Illyasova is on him like a limpet, forcing Puckett back against the cage.
Illyasova tries to score a body lock takedown but Puckett shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Illyasova tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Puckett's elbow.

Illyasova gets a trip takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Montgomery Illyasova showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Illyasova pushes Puckett up against the cage in a clinch.

Illyasova's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Illyasova clinches.
Illyasova is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Puckett to keep the fight standing.

Illyasova has clasped his hands together around Puckett's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Puckett tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Illyasova has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Puckett wants to get back to his feet.

Illyasova has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Illyasova looking to break Puckett's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Puckett remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Illyasova will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Will Illyasova go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Illyasova avoiding Puckett 's attempts to control his hands.

Illyasova is persistently looking for the submission but Puckett is defending it well.
Puckett trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Illyasova patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Illyasova working for the choke.

Puckett is trying to get to his feet but he's left his neck exposed and Illyasova manages to sink in a rear naked choke! Great counter grappling by Illyasova!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:28 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Montgomery Illyasova!