PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Christian Darrow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ray Millen (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.

Darrow
vs
Millen

180 cm
25
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight 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, Christian Darrow!
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, Ray Millen!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Columbo Gatti and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Millen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Darrow circles away.
Darrow defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Millen.
Millen tries for a takedown but Darrow sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Christian Darrow has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ray Millen.

Darrow has Millen up against the cage in a clinch.

Millen manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Darrow looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Darrow has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Millen has momentary wrist control but Darrow slips an elbow through the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Millen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Darrow content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Darrow works over Millen with some ground and pound from guard.

Darrow decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A cross from Millen lands.
Millen tries for a takedown but Darrow circles away easily
and Darrow counters with a head kick. That will keep Millen thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Nice cross by Darrow.

Millen forces Darrow back against the cage and clinches.

Darrow drags the fight down to the ground.
Darrow wants to sweep here but Millen controlling him for the moment.

Darrow kicks Millen off and gets to his feet.

Millen moves into the clinch successfully.
Darrow makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
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!
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Darrow creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Darrow gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Millen.
Millen looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Darrow breaks from the clinch.
Millen shoots for a double leg takedown but Darrow sprawls well. He's pushed Millen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Darrow displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Millen.
Millen misses the shot to the body.

Darrow rushes Millen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Darrow has Millen pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Darrow pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Millen tumbling to the mat - Darrow dives into Millen's guard.
Darrow scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darrow passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Millen is working to avoid the ground and pound but Darrow connects with a decent elbow.

Darrow stands up and beckons Millen to his feet.
Darrow scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Darrow forces Millen back against the cage and clinches.
Millen looking to stall.
Millen takes a knee right on the jaw!

Darrow breaks the clinch.

Darrow drives through with a takedown into Millen's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Darrow scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Darrow knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Millen on the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Millen can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Darrow controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darrow has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Darrow stands up from Millen's guard - Darrow perhaps looking for a knockout.

Darrow moves into the clinch.
Darrow throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Millens head.

Darrow manages to pull guard.
Millen prevents Darrow from getting back to his feet.
Darrow has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian Darrow dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Darrow fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Millen, pushing him back against the cage.
Darrow is trying to drag Millen to the mat but Millen just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Millen ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Millen no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Darrow stands up and waves to Millen to follow him.

Darrow darts in and clinches Millen up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Darrow is working for takedown but Millen is calmly controlling the position for now.
Darrow lands a knee to the head.
Millen being controlled against the cage.
Darrow goes for a takedown attempt but Millen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Christian Darrow. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Millen closes the distance and pushes Darrow back into the cage.
Darrow is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Millen can do to turn this around?
Darrow connects with a nasty looking knee right to Millen's face.
Christian Darrow has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Millen wants to get back to striking at distance but Darrow won't allow it.
Millen takes a knee to the side of the body.
Millen managing to block the knees to the body from Darrow.
Millen blocks a body shot from Darrow.
Darrow is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Millen to keep the fight standing.
Darrow missing with knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Darrow breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Millen rushes Darrow and presses him up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darrow has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Millen after a bit of a struggle.
Millen is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Darrow is defending well.
Darrow is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Millen pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Millen blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Millen manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Christian Darrow overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Darrow would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Millen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Darrow's guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Millen is fighting to break Darrow's control of his arms but Darrow is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Darrow wants to get back to his feet but Millen passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Millen is looking to take a break and control but Darrow is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Darrow tries to roll over but Millen keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Millen thows a huge punch but Darrow dodges it nicely.
Darrow is not content to let Millen control the position.
Darrow works his way to full guard. Good work.
Millen prevents Darrow from getting back to his feet.
Millen trying to control but Darrow is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Darrow is looking for a triangle but Millen pushes his legs off easily.
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 Christian Darrow will probably get the nod.
That's time! Darrow's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Millen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Millen gets tackled into the cage by Darrow. Darrow maintains the clinch.
Darrow works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
With the fighters up against the cage, Darrow throws an elbow but misses.
Millen is trying to break the clinch but Darrow is controlling him.
Millen is trying to pull guard but Darrow turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Darrow escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Christian Darrow seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Millen looks to land a combination but Darrow avoids it well.
Darrow appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Millen lands a head shot.

Darrow rushes Millen and presses him up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Darrow makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Darrow lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Millen or not.
Darrow avoiding damage.

Darrow breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darrow throws a right hand that Millen ducks under and follows up with a left that Millen also avoids with ease.
Millen wants to counter with a clinch but Darrow pushes him away.
Darrow lands a head kick!

Darrow clinches.
Millen is pressed up against the cage. Darrow has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Millen down to the mat. Millen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Darrow throws a right and a left that both miss.
A little jabbing left from Millen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Millen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Darrow closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Millen's guard.
Darrow pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Millen is keeping the position for now.
Millen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Millen thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Darrow landing with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Millen wants to stand but Darrow is controlling the position.
Darrow landing some decent shots from guard.
Millen trying to control the position.

Millen is working an open guard so Darrow takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Darrow moves into range and clinches up with Millen.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Darrow is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Darrow has Millen pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Millen manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Millen is fighting off a takedown attempt but Darrow is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Millen to the mat. Millen regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darrow makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Darrow sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Millen's guard.
Millen wants to control but Darrow is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Millen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Darrow is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Millen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Darrow lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Millen is trying to stand.
Darrow looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Millen with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Darrow takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Millen is trying to stand.

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

Darrow gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Darrow pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Millen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Darrow shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Millen's guard.
Ray Millen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Christian Darrow is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Darrow with a nice head shot there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Christian Darrow showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Darrow 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Christian Darrow!