PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jolly Leg Byrd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alton Newcastle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Leg Byrd
vs
Newcastle

172 cm
29
142 lbs
19 - 8 - 0

170 cm
33
148 lbs
18 - 14 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Hellbent
KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

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 19 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jolly Leg Byrd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Alton Newcastle!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Decent striking displayed by Newcastle there.
Newcastle lands a slapping body shot.
Byrd lands with a cross.

Byrd has taken the fight to the clinch.
Byrd blocking some punches.
Newcastle lands a nice elbow.
Newcastle has a couple of punches blocked by Byrd.
Byrd misses with some punches.
Newcastle tries a body shot but Byrd blocks it.
Newcastle scores with a shot to the side of Byrd's head.
Newcastle's coach down at Tōshi was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Newcastle's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Newcastle.
Newcastle lands a shoulder strike.
Byrd definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Newcastle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Byrd swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Byrd tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Byrd blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Newcastle misses with a short punch on the inside.
Newcastle lands a left hand.
Byrd throws a punch but it's blocked by Newcastle.
Byrd misses with a hook to the ribs.
Still in the clinch, Newcastle scores with a nice short uppercut.
Newcastle scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Byrd misses with some punches.
Byrd takes a shot to the head.
Newcastle wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Byrd swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Byrd lands with a light punch inside.
Newcastle misses with a punch on the inside.
Newcastle throws an elbow that misses.
Byrd struggles to land a body shot inside as Newcastle controls his hands.
Newcastle tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Byrd throws a head punch that misses.
Newcastle has a couple of punches blocked by Byrd.
A nice right hand lands inside from Byrd.
Byrd lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Byrd misses with a punch on the inside.
Byrd tries to throw a body punch but Newcastle avoids it by throwing Byrd back against the cage.
Byrd takes a shot to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Byrd.
Newcastle tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Byrd throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Byrd softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Newcastle throws a punch but it's blocked by Byrd.
Byrd working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Newcastle prevents a body shot from Byrd.
Byrd misses with some punches.
A short left from Byrd.
A short left from Byrd.
Byrd leaning his opponent against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Byrd.
Newcastle swings wildly with an uppercut but Byrd uses good head movement to avoid it.
Newcastle lands a left hand.
Byrd has a couple of punches blocked by Newcastle.
Byrd lands a nice uppercut.
Newcastle blocks an uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Byrd as the two fighters clinch.
Byrd goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Newcastle misses with a short punch on the inside.
Byrd blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newcastle throws a head punch that misses.
Byrd misses with a short punch on the inside.
Byrd goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Newcastle blocks a body shot from Byrd.
Newcastle tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Newcastle lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Newcastle lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Byrd doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Byrd throws a head punch that misses.
Newcastle scores with a shoulder strike.
Byrd swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Byrd lands a right hand.
Newcastle working aggressively here.
Byrd blocking some punches.
Byrd working aggressively here.
Newcastle blocks an uppercut.
Byrd fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Byrd.
Newcastle lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Byrd has a couple of punches blocked by Newcastle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Byrd lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Newcastle struggles to land a body shot inside as Byrd controls his hands.

Newcastle escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Newcastle throws a jab but it's blocked by Byrd.
Newcastle darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Byrd slips a jab from Newcastle.
Byrd uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Newcastle.
Newcastle tries a head kick but it misses.
Byrd bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Byrd fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Newcastle looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Byrd lands a lovely overhand right.
Newcastle on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Byrd staying out of range there.
Byrd fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Newcastle.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Byrd throws a right and a left that both miss.
Newcastle throws a right and a left that Byrd avoids nicely.
Byrd throws a body punch but Newcastle moves out of range.
Newcastle swings for the body but Byrd moves out of range.
Byrd looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Byrd takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alton Newcastle will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Newcastle throws a lazy right hand but Byrd sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Byrd tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Newcastle manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Newcastle tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Byrd takes a swing at Newcastle's ribcage but misses.

Byrd moves into the clinch successfully.
Jolly Leg Byrd has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Newcastle tries a knee to the head but Byrd blocks it.
Byrd goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Newcastle doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Byrd working aggressively here.
Newcastle lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Newcastle throws a punch but it's blocked by Byrd.
Newcastle working aggressively here.
Newcastle swings wildly with an uppercut but Byrd uses good head movement to avoid it.
Byrd lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Newcastle is looking for a takedown.
Byrd lands with a light punch inside.
Byrd tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Newcastle tries a knee to the head but Byrd blocks it.
Byrd misses with a hook from the clinch.
Byrd lands with a right to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Byrd misses with a hook from the clinch.
Byrd lands with a light punch inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Newcastle creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Byrd blocks an uppercut.
A nice right hand lands inside from Newcastle.
Byrd blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Newcastle can't get the takedown.
Byrd lands a nice uppercut.

Byrd breaks the clinch.
Newcastle throws a lazy right hand but Byrd sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Byrd scores with a hook to the body. Newcastle takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Newcastle throws out a loose jab but Byrd uses good head movement to avoid it.
Byrd chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Byrd scores with a kick to the body.
Byrd scores with a jab. Newcastle acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Newcastle takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Nice uppercut lands for Byrd. That snapped Newcastle's head back.
Byrd misses with a wild body shot.
Byrd throws a wild body kick that Newcastle sees coming a mile off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Newcastle misses with a looping right.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Byrd keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Newcastle.
Byrd slips under a jab from Newcastle.
Byrd ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Newcastle moves away.
Byrd fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Newcastle.
Byrd uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Newcastle.
Byrd tries to close the distance and clinch but Newcastle swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Newcastle throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Byrd counters with a slapping leg kick.
Byrd slips under a jab from Newcastle.
Newcastle has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Byrd.
Byrd jabs Newcastle to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Newcastle throws a body punch but Byrd moves out of range.
Byrd fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Newcastle manages to avoid it.
Byrd keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Byrd swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Newcastle misses the body punch
and Byrd counters with a nice leg kick.
Newcastle tries to land a leg kick but Byrd saw it coming and moves away.
Newcastle's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Byrd connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Newcastle scrambles back to his feet.
Newcastle scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newcastle takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Newcastle tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Byrd swivels and escapes.
Jolly Leg Byrd has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alton Newcastle.
Newcastle throws a leg kick but Byrd sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Byrd turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nice straight punches there by Byrd. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Byrd.
Newcastle tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A jab from Newcastle misses.
Byrd thumps Newcastle with a low kick.
Byrd scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Byrd scores with a kick to the midsection.
Byrd moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Byrd lunges at Newcastle with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Newcastle's hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Newcastle throws a looping overhand right but Byrd ducks down to avoid it.
Byrd ducks under a wild hook from Newcastle.
Byrd lands with a thumping leg kick.
Newcastle ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Newcastle connects with a nice looking jab.
Newcastle takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Byrd defending well as Newcastle loads up on a big left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Byrd is looking to land body kicks.
Alton Newcastle seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Newcastle misses with a lunging right hand
letting Byrd counter with a right hand.
Newcastle checks a leg kick nicely.
Good exchange - Newcastle coming out on top.
Byrd misses with a hook to the body
and Byrd takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Byrd looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Newcastle is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A swing and a miss from Newcastle.
Newcastle misses with a hook
letting Byrd counter with a right hand.
Byrd ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Newcastle tries to land a leg kick but Byrd saw it coming and moves away.
Byrd scores with a nice head shot.
Byrd keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Newcastle.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Byrd scores with a kick to the body.
Newcastle takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Newcastle throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Jolly Leg Byrd is winning the standup battle so far.
Byrd scores with a hook to the body. Newcastle takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jolly Leg Byrd dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Byrd has taken the fight to the clinch.
Newcastle blocking some punches.
Byrd blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Newcastle has a couple of punches blocked by Byrd.
Byrd fails to pull guard.
Newcastle has a couple of punches blocked by Byrd.
Byrd has a couple of punches blocked by Newcastle.
Newcastle misses with some punches.
Byrd misses with some punches.
Newcastle blocking some punches.
Newcastle has a couple of punches blocked by Byrd.
Newcastle misses with the head strike.
Byrd tries to work over Newcastle's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Byrd lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Newcastle backwards.
Newcastle is looking to take this one to the mat.
Byrd misses with some punches.
Byrd lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Byrd lands with a light punch inside.
A right hand to the body from Byrd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newcastle using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Newcastle scores with a shoulder strike.
Byrd goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Newcastle misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Newcastle.
Newcastle has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Byrd is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Byrd gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Newcastle.
Jolly Leg Byrd has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alton Newcastle.
Byrd lands with a left to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Byrd.
Newcastle misses with a hook from the clinch.
Newcastle doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Newcastle swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Newcastle jumps guard but Byrd turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Newcastle takes a shot to the head.
Newcastle throws a knee to the head but misses.
Byrd works on Newcastle's body with a couple of short punches.
Newcastle takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Byrd is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Byrd blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Byrd lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Byrd has Newcastle pressed against the cage.
Byrd lands a left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Newcastle working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Newcastle fails to land.
A nice left hand lands by Newcastle.
Byrd is stalling here.
A short left from Byrd.
Newcastle misses with a punch on the inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Byrd.
Byrd throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Byrd lands a hook that snaps the head of Newcastle backwards.
Newcastle blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Newcastle misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newcastle misses with a punch on the inside.
Newcastle working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Byrd fails to land.
Byrd lands a nice shot to the body.
Byrd misses with some punches.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Byrd's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Byrd fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Newcastle tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Byrd misses with a hook to the ribs.
Newcastle blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Byrd looking to slow down the pace here.
Byrd blocks an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Byrd.
Newcastle's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A head punch on the inside from Newcastle fails to land.
Byrd tries to stall but Newcastle uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newcastle blocking some punches.
A left hand lands to the body for Byrd.
Byrd's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Newcastle misses with a punch on the inside.
Byrd lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Byrd is trying to stall.
Byrd lands with a light punch inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Byrd lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Byrd misses with a punch on the inside.
Byrd gets through Newcastle's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Byrd tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Newcastle's elbow.
Nice body punch from Byrd.
Byrd just leaning against Newcastle, taking a breather.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Byrd.

Byrd manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Newcastle pushes down on Byrd's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Newcastle wants to pass to mount but Byrd is defending the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jolly Leg Byrd showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Byrd 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jolly Leg Byrd!
Jolly Leg Byrd took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.