PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Denver Morgan (ranked 8852 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lion Messi (ranked 6339 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Morgan
vs
Messi

200 cm
18
177 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Likes comics

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Denver Morgan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lion Messi!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Messi looks for a takedown but Morgan sprawls well.
Morgan is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

Morgan closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Messi did well to prevent Morgan getting side control.

Messi has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Morgan is on him like a limpet, forcing Messi back against the cage.
Messi is trying to pull guard but Morgan turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Messi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Morgan with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A short body shot lands from Messi as the two fighters clinch.
Messi goes for a takedown attempt but Morgan pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Denver Morgan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lion Messi.
Morgan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Messi.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Messi bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Morgan is trying to buck Messi off.
Morgan is working to avoid the ground and pound but Messi connects with a decent elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messi throwing shots but missing, from side control.

Messi looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Messi decides to stand back up.
Messi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Morgan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Messi as he avoids it easily.
And Messi tries to counter it with a takedown but Morgan pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Morgan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Morgan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Morgan scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Messi throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Messi darts in looking for a takedown but Morgan gets double underhooks and turns Messi into the cage.
Morgan with a lazy takedown attempt

and Messi counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Messi.
Morgan is breathing heavily.

Messi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Morgan defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Messi.
Morgan feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Morgan throws a body punch but Messi moves out of range.
Horrible takedown attempt by Messi or perhaps it was just good defense by Morgan, which made it look bad.
Morgan moves in looking to clinch but Messi pushes him off.
Nice takedown defense from Messi. No joy for Morgan on that attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Messi decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Morgan has one foot on Messi's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Messi shoots in and bounces Morgan off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Morgan uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A head kick misses from Messi.
Messi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Messi steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Morgan.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morgan tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Messi lands a heavy elbow.

Messi wants to finish this one by submission but Morgan is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Messi.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Messi landing punches.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Morgan tries to lock up and control but Messi gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Morgan really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Morgan is looking to improve his position but Messi isn't that keen on the idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lion Messi dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Messi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Morgan tries to avoid it but Messi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Morgan to the ground. Morgan escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Messi darts in looking for a takedown but Morgan gets double underhooks and turns Messi into the cage.
A counter left hand to the body from Morgan misses its target.
Morgan doesn't manage to clinch there - Messi circles away.
Messi tries to bum rush Morgan with a series of wild strikes but Morgan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Morgan shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Messi counters with a left and a right that stings Morgan.
Lion Messi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Messi scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Morgan is looking to regain half guard here but Messi keeps moving and retains side control.
Messi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Messi working the head with strikes.
Messi working the strikes but Morgan uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Messi is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Morgan defending well though.
Messi wants to get back to his feet.
Messi passes into side control, despite Morgan's attempt to control the position.
Morgan takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Messi misses with the ground and pound.
Morgan is trying to improve his position.

That's two 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.
Morgan struggling a bit here.
Morgan is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Messi's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Messi scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Morgan blocking the ground and pound attempt from Messi.
Morgan misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Morgan makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Morgan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messi throws a big right hand that misses.
Messi lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Messi scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Messi gets to his feet. Morgan looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Lion Messi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Messi moves in looking to clinch but Morgan pushes him off.
Morgan is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Horrible takedown attempt by Morgan or perhaps it was just good defense by Messi, which made it look bad.

Messi shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Lion Messi has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Messi lands a nice short elbow.
Morgan wants to improve his position but Messi is controlling well.
Messi working the head and body with strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Morgan is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Messi scores with a couple of nice shots.
Morgan is looking for a sweep. Messi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Morgan taking some punishment here, with Messi in his half guard.

Morgan is rocked!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lion Messi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Messi dives in and scores a takedown into Morgan's guard.
Oh Morgan is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Morgan tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Morgan wants to hit a switch here but Messi passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Morgan there!
Messi scoring with strikes but Morgan is staying in there.
Messi postures up and lands a whopping elbow - oh that's hurt Morgan bigstyle! Two more strikes land for Messi and the fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:33 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Lion Messi!