PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between James Oddweek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rowan Wuatt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Oddweek
vs
Wuatt

170 cm
25
154 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good in bed

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Oddweek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rowan Wuatt!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Chris Downing and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Oddweek ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Wuatt moves away.

Wuatt looking to score a takedown here. Oddweek is defending well but Wuatt drives through and ends up in Oddweek's guard.
Wuatt trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Wuatt wants to get up but he can't break Oddweek's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Wuatt pushes down on Oddweek's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Oddweek looks like he's trying to stand up.
Oddweek trying to hold on to Wuatt's head to control him but Wuatt postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wuatt misses with a head shot. Oddweek uses the momentum to regain guard.
Oddweek is pulling down on Wuatt's head. It's preventing any offense from Wuatt, at least for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oddweek is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Oddweek is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Oddweek tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Wuatt seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Wuatt throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Wuatt misses with a head kick.

Oddweek clinches with his opponent.
Wuatt prevents the takedown attempt.
Wuatt tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Wuatt gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Oddweek.
Oddweek fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Oddweek. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wuatt tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Oddweek smiles and moves away.
Wuatt misses with a few strikes there.
Oddweek fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wuatt shoots in and bounces Oddweek off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Oddweek throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Wuatt looking to pass the guard.
Oddweek wants to get back to his feet but Wuatt is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oddweek has Wuatt pulled in close to control his posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Oddweek bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Wuatt's guard.

Oddweek throwing strikes but missing.
Wuatt is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Wuatt working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rowan Wuatt dominated that round.
That's time! Oddweek's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Wuatt throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Oddweek moves into the clinch successfully.

Oddweek jumps into guard, dragging Wuatt to the mat.
Oddweek trying to control the position.
Wuatt passes Oddweek's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Wuatt trying to control the action but Oddweek is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Oddweek wants to get back to his feet.
Oddweek is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oddweek is pressing down on Wuatt's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Rowan Wuatt has got the better of the ground game so far.

Oddweek escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Wuatt gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Wuatt pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Oddweek is keeping the position for now.
Wuatt is still trying to improve position.

Oddweek is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Wuatt is looking to stand up but Oddweek won't let him.

That's two 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.
Oddweek looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wuatt is one step ahead there.
Wuatt postures up and lands a big shot to Oddweek's brow.
Wuatt chips away with some ground and pound.
Oddweek wants to sweep but no luck.
Wuatt sitting in guard here, content to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Wuatt is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Oddweek's half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oddweek wants to control but Wuatt is keeping busy.
Wuatt wants to stand but Oddweek has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Wuatt is keen to just control but Oddweek is a slippery customer.
Oddweek trying to hold on to Wuatt's head to control him but Wuatt postures up.
Oddweek is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Oddweek gets full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

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.
Wuatt postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Wuatt in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Wuatt wants to control from the top but Oddweek keeps moving.

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

Oddweek fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Wuatt, pushing him back against the cage.
Oddweek drops down looking for an ankle pick but Wuatt pulls his leg out and moves away.
Oddweek tries to clinch there but Wuatt circles away.
Wuatt throws a counter combo.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Oddweek is looking to land body kicks.
Wuatt tries to clinch there but Oddweek circles away.
Wuatt tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Oddweek is able to avoid easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Rowan Wuatt will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Oddweek moves in looking to clinch but Wuatt pushes him off.
As Oddweek backs off Wuatt throws a huge counter combo but Oddweek manages to avoid it all.

Oddweek takes the fight into the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Oddweek's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Wuatt has picked Oddweek up - he's going for a ride! Wuatt dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Wuatt takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Wuatt lands with a punch from half guard.
Wuatt throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Wuatt is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Oddweek is just riding it out for now. Wuatt eventually gives up the hold.
Oddweek blocking the ground and pound attempt from Wuatt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oddweek has his hands clasped together around Wuatt's back. He's all about the action.
Wuatt wants to get back to his feet.
Oddweek wants to get back to full guard.
Wuatt stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Oddweek flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Nice takedown defense from Oddweek. No joy for Wuatt on that attempt.
Oddweek fails with a takedown attempt.
Wuatt is looking for the big counter here.
Wuatt fails to land the takedown.

Oddweek drives through with a takedown into Wuatt's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oddweek wants to pass the guard but Wuatt is keeping the position.
Wuatt trying to control the position.

Oddweek avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Wuatt takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Oddweek throws a big right hand that misses.
Oddweek controlling from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Wuatt is trying to keep Oddweek in close.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Oddweek fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Oddweek circles away from the clinch attempt.
Oddweek looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Wuatt gets caught flat footed, as Oddweek shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Oddweek tries to stand but Wuatt is controlling from the bottom.
James Oddweek has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rowan Wuatt is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Wuatt looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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 James Oddweek.
I think Wuatt 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... James Oddweek!