PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Benjamin Waller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Charlton (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.

Waller
vs
Charlton

189 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
19
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Very confident

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 New York, Benjamin Waller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Max Charlton!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Columbo Gatti and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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

Waller is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Charlton is defending against the submission attempts here by Waller.
Well, if Waller is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Charlton manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Charlton trying to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Charlton looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Waller decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Charlton, up you get!

Charlton closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Waller did well to prevent Charlton getting side control.
Charlton is trying to control the action in half guard but Waller is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Waller trying to hold on to Charlton's head to control him but Charlton postures up.
Well, if Charlton is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Charlton not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Charlton throwing shots but Waller is blocking nicely.
Charlton trying to mount his opponent but Waller defends it.
Charlton is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Waller reverses the position - he's now on top in Charlton's guard.

Waller gets to his feet. Charlton looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Max Charlton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Waller.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Waller has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Waller shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Charlton napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Who's going to make the next move?

Waller decides to stand back up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Charlton.
Charlton throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Charlton trying to control the position but Waller is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Waller striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Waller is letting Charlton control him for a moment.

Charlton tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Charlton has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Charlton taking a break here but Waller is having none of it and regains half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Charlton tries to pass to full mount but Waller defends it.
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 Benjamin Waller will probably get the nod.
That's time! Waller's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Waller shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Charlton is trying to defend but Waller finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Charlton is looking to get back to is feet but Waller passes into side control.

Waller decides to stand back up.
Charlton fails with the takedown.
Waller tried to counter with a leg kick but Charlton avoided it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Waller swats away the attempt to clinch by Charlton.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Waller decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Charlton holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Waller decides to return to a standing position.
Charlton swings widly with a right hand
letting Waller counter with a right hand.
Charlton tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Waller paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Charlton tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Waller counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Waller stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Charlton to get to his feet.
Charlton shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Waller sprawls well. Waller wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Charlton gets slowly back to his feet.
Charlton is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Waller closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Charlton's guard.

Charlton kicks Waller off and gets to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Charlton closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Waller to the mat! Waller manages to get full guard.
Waller throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Charlton advances position into side control!
Charlton throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Charlton working away.

Charlton is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Waller knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Charlton trying to control the action but Waller is working from the bottom.

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.
Charlton throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Charlton throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Charlton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Waller keeps working.
You can see the frustration on Waller's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Charlton is looking to take a break and control but Waller is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Charlton might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Waller haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Benjamin Waller will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Waller looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Charlton!
Charlton is looking for a sweep.

Waller has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Charlton takes the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Waller is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Charlton drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Waller gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Charlton goes for a takedown attempt but Waller pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Charlton closes the distance and pushes Waller back into the cage.

Waller is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Charlton can't fight it off and eventually Waller manages to take the fight to the floor. Charlton looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Waller drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Charlton manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Waller has Charlton in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Charlton is looking to pass into half guard but Waller pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Waller is in guard.

Waller won't allow Charlton to get back to his feet.
Charlton working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Waller.

Waller gets to his feet. Charlton looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Waller closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Charlton quickly recovers to half guard.
Waller will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Charlton takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Waller prevents Charlton from standing back up.
Charlton is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Charlton trying to control but Waller postures up.

Waller wants to work for an arm triangle but Charlton is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Waller sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Waller stands up out of the half guard.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Waller.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Charlton's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Charlton manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Waller tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Charlton.
Max Charlton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Waller postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Charlton to stand up.

Waller closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Charlton tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Benjamin Waller is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Waller stands up from mount. Strange move.

And that's the end of the fight!
Benjamin Waller showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Waller, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:28
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Benjamin Waller!