PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ed Sheeran (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Delode (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sheeran has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Sheeran
vs
Delode

173 cm
18
183 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

225 cm
25
190 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ed Sheeran!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, James Delode!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Peter Branson and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Delode fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sheeran leaves Delode with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Sheeran. No joy for Delode on that attempt.
Ed Sheeran has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Delode.
Delode shoots in looking for a takedown. Sheeran tries to sprawl out of it but Delode keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sheeran manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Delode shoots in but no luck this time.
Sheeran tries to clinch but Delode moves out of range.
James Delode seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Delode tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sheeran swivels and escapes.

Sheeran closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sheeran lands in his opponent's guard.

Delode has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Sheeran off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Delode has a takedown stuffed.
Sheeran fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Delode fails with the takedown.
Delode checks a low kick from Sheeran.
Delode drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Sheeran defends it well.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Delode.
Delode closes the distance and clinches up with Sheeran, looking for a takedown. Delode pushes Sheeran against the cage but Sheeran circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Delode fails with a takedown attempt.
As Delode tries to get set, Sheeran tries to push him back and clinch up but Delode manages to avoid the attempt.
Sheeran looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Delode fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Delode shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Sheeran is trying to defend but Delode finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Sheeran is breathing heavily.
Delode not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Delode slows the pace down in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Delode decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Delode shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Delode shoots for a double leg takedown but Sheeran sprawls well. He's pushed Delode's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Delode will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Delode fails with a takedown attempt.
Delode tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sheeran defends well and Delode ends up having to push Sheeran into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Delode.
Sheeran appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Delode shoots in but no luck this time.

Sheeran closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Delode kicks Sheeran off and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Sheeran.

Delode bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Delode fails with a takedown attempt.
Sheeran shoots in and drives through. Delode sprawls well.

Delode rushes Sheeran and presses him up against the cage.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Delode lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Sheeran.
A short right from Delode on the inside.
Delode changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sheeran fights it off and pushes away nicely.
No luck for Delode with that takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Delode shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sheeran pinned against the cage. Sheeran gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sheeran misses with the combination.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Delode is defended easily by Sheeran.
Delode shoots in for a takedown but Sheeran shows good takedown defense.
Delode shoots in but Sheeran avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sheeran wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Delode shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sheeran as he avoids it easily.
Delode goes for a double leg but Sheeran avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Sheeran continues to drive forward.
Sheeran looks to land a combination but Delode avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ed Sheeran will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Sheeran stuffs the takedown.
Sheeran is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Delode closes the distance and clinches up with Sheeran, looking for a takedown. Delode pushes Sheeran against the cage but Sheeran circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Delode has a takedown stuffed.
Ed Sheeran has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Delode.
Delode fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sheeran avoids it really well and circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Delode is defended easily by Sheeran.
Sheeran is looking to clinch.
Delode drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Sheeran defends it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sheeran shoots in and gets a takedown into Delode's guard.

Delode manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Delode with a lazy takedown attempt

and Sheeran counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Delode has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Sheeran has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sheeran jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Delode walks away with a smile on his face. Sheeran gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Sheeran displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Delode.
Delode looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sheeran throws a half hearted mid kick.
Delode tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sheeran sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Delode somewhat.
Sheeran tries to counter by clinching up but Delode breaks away and moves out of range.
Sheeran closes the distance and clinches up with Delode, looking for a takedown. Sheeran pushes Delode against the cage but Delode circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Delode looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sheeran is fending him off so far but Delode persists. Nope, Sheeran circles away and we're back to standing.
Delode fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Delode gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Sheeran counters with a takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sheeran tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Delode is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Sheeran's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Delode makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Delode.
Delode is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Delode pulls Sheeran in close to his closed guard and prevents Sheeran from doing any damage or advancing position.
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.
Sheeran stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Delode swivels though and keeps the full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Delode is on top in guard.

Delode 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.
Delode lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Delode controls from within his opponent's guard.

Delode is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Delode engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Delode works over Sheeran with some ground and pound from guard.
Delode controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Sheeran on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Sheeran tries to get out of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but James Delode will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Delode fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Delode fails with a takedown attempt.
Sheeran feinted with a counter takedown.
Delode fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ed Sheeran has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Delode.
Delode fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Sheeran gets tackled into the cage by Delode. Delode maintains the clinch.
Sheeran tries to pull guard but Delode holds him up against the cage and eventually Sheeran drops back down to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sheeran avoiding damage as Delode throws knees to the body.
Delode misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sheeran.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sheeran avoiding damage as Delode throws knees to the body.
Sheeran wants a takedown.

Delode successfully pulls guard.
Delode lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Delode gets to his feet. Sheeran looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Delode shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sheeran as he avoids it easily.
Delode tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sheeran defends well and Delode ends up having to push Sheeran into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Delode looks for a takedown but Sheeran sprawls well.
Sheeran tries to clinch up but Delode circles away and keeps his distance.
Ed Sheeran is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Delode.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Delode looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Sheeran!
Delode wants to control but Sheeran is keeping him busy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sheeran tries to improve position but can't.
Delode staying calm.

Delode stands up and beckons Sheeran to his feet.

Delode scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Delode in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Delode controls the position.
Sheeran knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Delode on the ground.
Delode's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

Delode stands up.
Delode changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sheeran tries to avoid it but Delode manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sheeran to the ground. Sheeran escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

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.
Delode looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Delode misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sheeran throws a counter high kick but Delode was just alert enough to avoid it.

Sheeran tries to keep at a distance but Delode has taken the fight into the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Sheeran's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sheeran can't break the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Delode has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sheeran after a bit of a struggle.
Sheeran is pressed up against the cage. Delode has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sheeran down to the mat. Sheeran avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Delode shoots in but no luck this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Delode comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Delode 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Delode!