PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Justin Andrews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bob Backlund (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Justin Andrews could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Bob Backlund's chin.

Andrews
vs
Backlund

180 cm
21
201 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

189 cm
34
189 lbs
15 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

Olympic wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Lion Fightwear
Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Justin Andrews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bob Backlund!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Roger Salmon and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Backlund goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

It looks like Justin Andrews has been cut.

Backlund gets caught flat footed, as Andrews shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Andrews trying to control but Backlund is working from the bottom.
Backlund avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Andrews looking to pass the guard.
Andrews wants to control from the top but Backlund keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Backlund looking to hit a scissor sweep but Andrews is one step ahead there.
Andrews wants to control from the top but Backlund keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andrews throws a big elbow that misses.
Andrews in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Backlund is pulling down on Andrews's head. It's preventing any offense from Andrews, at least for the moment.
Backlund preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Andrews is working Backlund over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Backlund looking to hit a scissor sweep but Andrews is one step ahead there.
Andrews throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Backlund works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Backlund wants to sweep here but Andrews controlling him for the moment.
Backlund pulls Andrews in close to his closed guard and prevents Andrews from doing any damage or advancing position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Backlund throws a body kick that misses.
Andrews loads up on a big right hand but Backlund slips the punch.
Andrews moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromBacklund.
Backlund keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Andrews misses the shot to the body.
Andrews takes a swing at Backlund's ribcage but misses.

Andrews closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Backlund's guard.
Backlund is pulling down on Andrews's head. It's preventing any offense from Andrews, at least for the moment.
Andrews won't allow Backlund to sweep him here.
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.
Andrews working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Backlund is looking to sweep but instead, Andrews has passed into half guard.
Backlund wants to control but Andrews is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ground and pound from Andrews.
Andrews is pressing down on Backlund's thigh, looking to free his foot. Backlund is holding on for now.
Andrews working Backlund over with strikes.
Andrews missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Backlund is trying is best to control the position here.
Backlund makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Backlund.
Andrews throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Backlund works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backlund keeping moving, preventing Andrews from controlling successfully.
Andrews is fighting to break Backlund's control of his arms but Backlund is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Andrews has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Backlund has momentary wrist control but Andrews slips an elbow through the middle.
Andrews trying to control the position from guard on top but Backlund is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Andrews working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Andrews won't allow Backlund to sweep him here.
Backlund keeping full guard, as Andrews tries to pass.
Andrews being controlled here momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Andrews dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Justin Andrews's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A big left from Andrews misses.
Andrews takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Andrews pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Andrews fails in his attempt to clinch.
The fighters circle momentarily. Andrews darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Andrews shoots in and bounces Backlund off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Backlund managing to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Andrews works over Backlund with some ground and pound from guard.

Backlund is rocked!
Backlund utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Andrews stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Backlund swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backlund is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Backlund is thwarting Andrews's attempts to control the position.
Backlund prevents Andrews from improving his position.
Backlund working over Andrews with some ground and pound. Andrews looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Backlund thows a huge punch but Andrews dodges it nicely.
Backlund throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Backlund wants to control but Andrews is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andrews wants to get back to full guard.
Andrews is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Phoenix Mixed Martial Arts, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Andrews desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Backlund thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Backlund is working for a kimura but Andrews is defending it quite comfortably.
Backlund prevents Andrews from improving his position.

Backlund is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Andrews doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Backlund.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backlund is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Andrews slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Backlund works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Backlund is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Backlund is pressing down on Andrews's thigh, looking to free his foot. Andrews is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andrews wants to improve his position but Backlund is controlling well.
Andrews wants to control but Backlund is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Andrews is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Andrews is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Backlund can do to turn this around?
Andrews trying to control but Backlund postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Andrews wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Bob Backlund will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Justin Andrews's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Nice uppercut there from Andrews.
Backlund throws a head kick but Andrews moves out of range.

Backlund gets tackled into the cage by Andrews. Andrews maintains the clinch.
Andrews tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Backlund's elbow.
Andrews misses with a body punch.
Andrews misses with a punch to the body.
Andrews is looking to break free of the clinch but Backlund has double underhooks.
A head punch on the inside from Andrews fails to land.
Andrews blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Andrews lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Backlund holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Backlund is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Andrews's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Andrews's back!
Backlund has the hooks in. Andrews is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Backlund is looking for the choke from the back position but Andrews is controlling his hands well.

Backlund seems to be going for a rear naked choke. He has an arm under Andrews's chin but Andrews turns very nicely into Backlund's guard. Good BJJ skills being displayed there by Andrews.
Backlund has Andrews pulled in close to control his posture.
Andrews throwing strikes from guard but Backlund blocks nicely.
Backlund has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Backlund is on top in guard.

Andrews tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Andrews knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Backlund on the ground.
Backlund wants to pass the guard but Andrews is keeping the position.
Backlund not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Andrews keeping moving, preventing Backlund from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andrews keeping full guard, as Backlund tries to pass.
Andrews wants to sweep but no luck.
Backlund trying to control but Andrews is working from the bottom.
Backlund with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Andrews keeping moving, preventing Backlund from controlling successfully.
Backlund working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Andrews keeping moving, preventing Backlund from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the 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.
Andrews jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Backlund ducks under a wild hook from Andrews.
Andrews keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Andrews tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Backlund was well out of range. Poor timing from Andrews.
Backlund fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Andrews throws a big shot that misses.
Andrews misses with a hook.
Backlund throws a head kick that misses.
Andrews takes a swing at Backlund's ribcage but misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Backlund keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Andrews.
Andrews lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Backlund throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Justin Andrews showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Andrews 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justin Andrews!
Justin Andrews decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.