PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Greg Battle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Annette Curtain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Battle
vs
Curtain

174 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

180 cm
19
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Greg Battle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Annette Curtain!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Paul Tew and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Curtain drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Curtain working the strikes but Battle uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Curtain prevents Battle from improving his position.

Curtain looking for a submission but Battle manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Battle trying to control the position.
Battle utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Battle keeping moving, preventing Curtain from controlling successfully.
Battle has momentary wrist control but Curtain slips an elbow through the middle.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Curtain accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Curtain trying to control but Battle is working from the bottom.
Curtain is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Curtain postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Battle is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Curtain, into his guard.

Battle engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Curtain escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Battle gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Curtain had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Battle defends it easily.
Curtain has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Curtain looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Curtain looking to control.
Curtain doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Curtain wants to sweep here but Battle controlling him for the moment.
Battle trying to stand up but can't free himself from Curtain's guard.
Curtain being controlled here, momentarily.
Battle throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Battle in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Curtain shoots in and gets a takedown into Battle's guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Curtain preventing the sweep.

Battle had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Curtain defends it easily.
Battle trying to keep a closed guard but Curtain is proving a slippery customer.
Curtain missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Curtain is working Battle over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Curtain trying to control the position from guard on top but Battle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Curtain is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Curtain preventing the sweep.
Curtain wants to control from the top but Battle keeps moving.
Battle utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Battle trying to keep a closed guard but Curtain is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Battle drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Annette Curtain will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Curtain fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Battle to the ground. Curtain is now in Battle's guard.
Curtain trying to control but Battle is working from the bottom.

Curtain is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Battle not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Curtain is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Battle working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Curtain's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Curtain manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Battle manages to get himself to full guard.

Curtain wants to control from the top but Battle keeps moving.
Battle is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Battle perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Battle stands up out of the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Curtain defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Battle.

Curtain shoots in and gets a takedown into Battle's guard.

Battle looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Battle keeping moving, preventing Curtain from controlling successfully.
Curtain passes Battle's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Curtain seems to be working for a kimura but Battle defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Battle is defending against the submission attempts here by Curtain.
Battle controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Curtain tries to pass to full mount but Battle defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Nice strikes from Curtain there.

Curtain is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Battle is just riding it out for now. Curtain eventually gives up the hold.
Battle is pressing down on Curtain's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Battle trying to keep a closed guard but Curtain is proving a slippery customer.
Annette Curtain has got the better of the ground game so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Annette Curtain showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Battle shoots in but no luck this time.
Curtain changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Battle throws a head kick but Curtain moves out of range.
Curtain feints the counter takedown.
Battle throws a low kick but Curtain avoids it.

Curtain rushes Battle and presses him up against the cage.
Curtain will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Battle up against the cage.
Curtain looking to throw knees to the head but Battle is blocking nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Curtain has picked Battle up - he's going for a ride! Curtain dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Battle kicks off Curtain and gets to his feet.

Curtain shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Battle is trying to defend but Curtain finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Curtain takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Curtain is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Battle defends it well.
Curtain blocks the strikes from Battle.
Battle tries to get to full guard but Curtain has control of the leg.
Battle is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Curtain's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Curtain's back!

Battle is working for the choke. He's slipped one arm under the chin. Curtain has to defend the other arm for all he's worth... but Battle has managed to get that arm free too and he's tightening the choke! Curtain taps out and looks absolutely disgusted with himself. Battle doesn't care though - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Greg Battle!
Annette Curtain was interviewed post fight and said 'Gutted'.