PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Charley Buckner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Austin King (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). King has chosen The Beast as his entrance music. Charley Buckner has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Buckner
vs
King

186 cm
24
279 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

209 cm
20
235 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Charley Buckner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Austin King!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Micheangelo Fripello and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
King throws a leg kick that is checked

and Buckner counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Buckner.
Buckner throwing strikes from guard but King blocks nicely.
Buckner throws a big elbow that misses.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now King is on top in guard.

King controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Buckner wants to stand up but King is controlling him.
Buckner has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
King trying to control the position from guard on top but Buckner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buckner pulls King in to control the position.
Buckner trying to keep a closed guard but King is proving a slippery customer.
Buckner trying to strike off his back.
Buckner seems keen to control King's posture.
King engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Buckner could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

King clinches up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
King tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Buckner avoids it.

King manages to break the clinch.
A low kick from King misses

so Buckner counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
King is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Buckner dives into side control.

Buckner working the body and head with strikes.

Buckner thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
King is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buckner in the domination position with King hanging on.
King is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
King takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
King is looking for a sweep.

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.

Buckner stands up and we're back to a striking position.

King forces Buckner back against the cage and clinches.
Buckner is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables King to keep the fight standing.
Buckner managing to block the knees to the body from King.
King has Buckner pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Buckner manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
King using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Buckner has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
The referee calls for King to work.
King tries for a takedown but Buckner manages to get underhooks.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Buckner tries to pull guard but King won't allow it.
King misses with an elbow over the top.
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 Charley Buckner 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.

King throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Buckner tries to counter by clinching up but King breaks away and moves out of range.
King pulls out of a head kick attempt.
King tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Buckner defending well as King loads up on a big left hand.
King looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
King throws the kick towards the body but Buckner avoids it.

King clinches with his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Buckner is pressed up against the cage. King has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Buckner down to the mat. Buckner avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
King moves in looking to clinch but Buckner pushes him off.
Buckner fires out a quick counter leg kick but King just manages to avoid it.
A shot to the body from King misses
and Buckner counters with a leg kick.
King throws a right hand that Buckner ducks under and follows up with a left that Buckner also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Buckner defends well and King ends up having to push Buckner into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Charley Buckner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Austin King.
King takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
King fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Buckner checks it well.
Buckner seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

King darts in and clinches Buckner up against the cage.
Buckner tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. King just stands there and leans against the cage.
King has Buckner pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Buckner manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Buckner pulls guard successfully.

King got a little sloppy there for a moment and Buckner has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, King has managed to get both his arms back between Buckner's legs - danger averted.
King wants to control from the top but Buckner keeps moving.
Buckner bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in King's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

King working for a triangle but Buckner defends it easily.
Buckner missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
King is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Buckner trying to control but King is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Buckner controls the pace.
King looking to hit a scissor sweep but Buckner is one step ahead there.

King throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Buckner with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Buckner got a little sloppy there for a moment and King has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Buckner has managed to get both his arms back between King's legs - danger averted.
Buckner engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Buckner stands up over King, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
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 Charley Buckner will probably get the nod.
That's time! Buckner's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

King gets a clinch.
King misses with a punch to the body.
Buckner is trying to pull guard but King turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
King tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Come on King - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
King lands a body shot.
Buckner fails to pull the fight into his guard.

King breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
King looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Buckner is fending him off so far but King persists. Nope, Buckner circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
King throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Buckner blocks the body kick.
As King looks to move away, Buckner throws a big counter combo but King just gets out of the way.

King closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Buckner avoids it.
King is trying to drag Buckner to the mat but Buckner just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

King breaks the clinch.

Buckner closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from King.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
King can't find room to land a body shot as Buckner controls the action.

King is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Buckner can't fight it off and eventually King manages to take the fight to the floor. Buckner looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
King tries to free his leg and advance position but Buckner is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Buckner holds on and takes a little breather.
King wants to get up but he can't break Buckner's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
King is looking to pass into half guard but Buckner pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Buckner is in guard.

Buckner gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
King throws a left and a right that both miss
and Buckner counters with a slapping leg kick.

King closes the distance and pushes Buckner back into the cage.
King is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Buckner is defending well for now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Buckner tries to pull guard but King forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charley Buckner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Buckner is trying to pull guard but King has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Buckner.
King lands an elbow just above Buckner 's eye.

It looks like Charley Buckner has been cut.
Buckner fails to pull guard.
King tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Buckner's elbow.

King has picked Buckner up - he's going for a ride! King dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Buckner might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Buckner holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
King trying to advance position but Buckner counters by regaining guard.
King trying to control the position from guard on top but Buckner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
King tries to free his leg and advance position but Buckner is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Buckner keeping moving, preventing King from controlling successfully.
King pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Buckner is keeping the position for now.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
King rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Buckner counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

King moves into range and clinches up with Buckner.
Austin King has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

King manages to break the clinch.
Buckner avoids the head kick by King.
Charley Buckner is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
King throws a half hearted mid kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Austin King comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Buckner has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Charley Buckner!