PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Avery Churchill (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mookie Betts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Betts comes into a darkened arena with his song building. How I Could Just Kill a Man - Cypress Hill kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Mookie Betts has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Churchill
vs
Betts

170 cm
21
164 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
157 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Sully's Bar & Grill

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Avery Churchill!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mookie Betts!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Vladimir Khabensky and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Betts shoots in for a double leg but Churchill sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Churchill scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Betts.
Betts tries to close the distance and clinch but Churchill swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Betts tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Churchill is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Betts's half guard.
Churchill tries to pass the half guard into mount. Betts knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Churchill is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Churchill throws a strike but Betts avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Churchill throwing strikes from guard but Betts blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Churchill trying to control but Betts is working from the bottom.
Betts is pulling down on Churchill's head. It's preventing any offense from Churchill, at least for the moment.
Churchill is stalling in the full guard.
Betts not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Churchill drops back, looking for a kneebar! Betts looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Betts looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Betts!

Churchill isn't going anywhere.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Betts tries to score with some ground and pound. Churchill controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Betts is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Churchill has escaped the position, nice work there.
Churchill is holding Betts down, trying to stall.
Churchill looking for a sweep but Betts has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Churchill reaches up to try and control the position but Betts seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Churchill rolls and tries to escape and now Betts has his back!
Churchill is really stuck here.
Churchill trying to control the position but Betts manages to sink in the hooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Churchill rolls, trying to escape but Betts keeps control of the position.
Betts doesn't have the hooks in and Churchill manages to turn into his guard.
Churchill might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Churchill is in close to Betts's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Churchill looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Churchill wants to control from the top but Betts keeps moving.
Betts is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Churchill looking to sit in guard and control but Betts gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Churchill manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Betts manages to get himself to full guard.

Churchill drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Betts dives on top into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Betts's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Churchill working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Betts doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Betts manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Churchill has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Betts can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Churchill throws his legs up looking for a submission but Betts uses it to pass to side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Churchill looks to move to half guard but instead Betts has passed into mount! Damn!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Betts wants to control the pace but Churchill is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mookie Betts will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Betts shoots in and drives through. Churchill sprawls well.
Betts shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Churchill as he jumps to the side.
Churchill stuffs the takedown attempt from Betts. Betts gets slowly back to his feet.
Avery Churchill has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mookie Betts.
Betts lands a jab to the nose.
Churchill throws a big shot that misses.
Betts tries for a takedown but Churchill sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Churchill appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Betts looks to score with a jab to the body but Churchill is just out of range.
Betts feints a jab promting Churchill to slip. Betts then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Churchill slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Betts darts in looking for a takedown but Churchill gets double underhooks and turns Betts into the cage.
Churchill attempts a counter takedown but Betts avoids it well and moves away.
Mookie Betts is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Churchill takes a swing at Betts's ribcage but misses.
It seemed like Betts was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Betts shoots in and drives through. Churchill sprawls well.
Churchill changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Churchill's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Betts connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Churchill scrambles back to his feet.
Churchill displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Betts.
A punch combination from Betts misses.
Betts throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Churchill keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Churchill circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mookie Betts seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Betts displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Churchill throws out the jab.
Churchill with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Betts to score with a decent uppercut.
Churchill on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Churchill shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Betts manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Churchill advances to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Betts is trying to maintain the position but Churchill is very close to passing his half guard.

Churchill is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Churchill is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Betts sees it coming and defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Churchill throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Churchill lands strikes from half guard.

Churchill is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Betts has managed to free his arm - good work.
Betts wants to control but Churchill is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Churchill wants to take a breather but Betts is having none of it.
Churchill uses his free foot to push down on Betts's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Betts.
Betts is squirming around, avoiding Churchill's attempts to control the action.
Betts is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Churchill working for a submission but Betts is keeping him at bay.
Churchill raining down shots from the mount!

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Churchill lands a big shot there that rocks Betts but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Churchill landing punches.
Betts is looking to improve his position but Churchill isn't that keen on the idea.
Churchill landing strikes, looking to finish!
Churchill lands a nice shot to the head.
Betts can't escape the position.
Churchill lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Churchill tries to control but Betts wriggling away.
Churchill is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Betts can do to turn this around?

Betts defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Churchill.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Avery Churchill dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Churchill swats away the attempt to clinch by Betts.
Churchill misses with a wild body shot.
Betts wants to counter the offense by Churchill and move into the clinch position.
Betts tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Churchill swivels and escapes.
Churchill keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Churchill tries to counter with a takedown but Betts is quick to defend against it.
Betts is trying hard to land a takedown here. Churchill sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Churchill drops down looking for a counter takedown but Betts sprawls and moves away.
Betts misses with a body shot.
Betts throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Churchill stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Churchill wants it to stay on the feet.
Avery Churchill has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mookie Betts.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Churchill throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Betts is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Churchill rather than just go for the knockout.
Betts is trying hard to land a takedown here. Churchill sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Churchill tries to counter with a takedown but Betts is quick to defend against it.
Betts swings for the body but Churchill moves out of range.
Betts takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Betts shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Churchill but Churchill pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Churchill tries to counter with a takedown but Betts is quick to defend against it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Churchill looks to score with a jab to the body but Betts is just out of range.
Betts closes the distance looking to clinch

and Churchill counters with a takedown into side control.
Churchill is looking to take a break and control but Betts is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Churchill wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Betts, who protects the arm well.

Churchill thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
We've been informed that Betts has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Churchill wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Betts, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Churchill thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Churchill tries for a kimura but Betts is defending well.
Betts managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Churchill.

Churchill is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Betts is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Churchill working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Churchill tries to move to mount but Betts blocks the move with his legs.
Betts can't do much from the bottom here.

Churchill is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Betts is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Churchill looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Churchill is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Betts is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four 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.
Churchill trying to control the action but Betts is working from the bottom.
Churchill grinds an elbow into Betts's temple.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Churchill slows the pace down.

Churchill wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Betts, who protects the arm well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Avery Churchill showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Churchill has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Avery Churchill!
In his post fight interview, Avery Churchill gave a big smile as he said 'Affe Vanhanen, you ABSOLUTELY SUCK!'.
In defeat, Mookie Betts stepped up to the mic, saying 'Aw shit, well, there goes that. '.