PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Austin Warren (ranked 8681 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricardo Reis (ranked 5824 p4p, 567 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.

Warren
vs
Reis

216 cm
26
194 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

187 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Austin Warren!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ricardo Reis!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Sergei Dronov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reis changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Warren tries to avoid it but Reis manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Warren to the ground. Warren escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Reis clinches up with Warren and pushes him back against the cage.
Warren is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Reis to keep the fight standing.

Reis pulls guard successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Reis wants to sweep here but Warren controlling him for the moment.
Warren really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Warren throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Reis works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Warren stopping the sweep attempt from Reis.
Reis manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Warren manages to get himself to full guard.

Reis pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Warren is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reis trying to stand up but can't free himself from Warren's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reis working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Reis not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Reis connects with a couple of short punches.
Reis trying to control but Warren is working from the bottom.
Warren will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Reis is stalling in the full guard.
Warren looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Reis has gone for a leg lock! Warren slips out almost immediately though and dives into Reis's guard.

Reis looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Warren puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reis is staying active underneath Warren, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Reis is trying to get back to full guard.
Warren not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Reis is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Warren's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Warren's back!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
You can see the frustration on Warren's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Reis trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
I really don't envy Warren right now.
Reis is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

Reis patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Warren trying to get back to his feet but Reis is in full control for now.
Reis lands with a hammerfist to the side of Warren's head.
I would not like to be Warren right now.

Reis is looking for a choke. Warren gets to his feet with his opponent on his back and slams him to the mat. Warren manages to squirm out of the attempted choke and turns into his opponent's guard.

Reis is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Warren is looking to work some ground and pound but Reis has wrist control.
Warren missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Reis avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Reis looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Warren passes into side control.
Reis is looking to reverse the position.
Warren creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Reis wants to control but Warren postures up.
Warren blocks the strikes from Reis.
Warren 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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Reis is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Warren's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Warren working Reis over with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ricardo Reis will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Reis looking to score a takedown here. Warren is defending well but Reis drives through and ends up in Warren's guard.
Reis has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Warren is proving hard to escape from.
Reis preventing the sweep.
Reis wants to control from the top but Warren keeps moving.
Reis looking to pass the guard.
Reis prevents Warren from getting back to his feet.
Reis lands a couple of elbows.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reis's corner is telling him to maintain position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Warren is on top in guard.

Reis is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Warren throws a big right hand that misses.
Warren preventing the sweep.
Ricardo Reis has got the better of the ground game so far.
Reis trying to control the position here.
Reis is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Warren trying to control but Reis is working from the bottom.
Warren passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
Reis works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Reis has momentary wrist control but Warren slips an elbow through the middle.
Reis looking to control.

Reis escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Warren gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Reis not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Reis tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Reis working a defensive guard but Warren passes into half guard.
Warren throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Warren working the head and body with strikes.
Reis wants to get back to full guard but Warren has passed into side control.
Reis is breathing heavily.
Warren trying to control the action but Reis is working from the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Reis can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reis is trying to improve his position.
Reis is trying to work for a sweep but Warren has mounted him!
Reis in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Reis is desperately trying to improve his position but Warren has a good base and remains in mount.
Warren looking to control and managing it successfully.
Reis is desperately trying to improve his position but Warren has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Warren looking to secure an arm triangle but Reis defends it well.
Reis is looking to improve his position but Warren isn't that keen on the idea.
Reis wants to control but Warren is having none of it.
Reis is wriggling around trying to escape.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Reis is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Warren is landing with some decent strikes but Reis is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Austin Warren dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Reis fails with the takedown
and Warren counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Reis is defended easily by Warren.

Reis takes the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Warren is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Reis is defending well.
Reis tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Warren just stands there and leans against the cage.
Austin Warren has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricardo Reis.
Reis tries for a takedown. No joy.
Reis is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Reis takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reis tries to pull guard but Warren holds him up against the cage and eventually Reis drops back down to his feet.

Warren has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Reis uses from the top position.
Reis won't allow Warren to sweep him here.
Warren tries to strike from the bottom.
Reis wants to control from the top but Warren keeps moving.
Reis stops Warren from standing up.
Reis trying to control the position from guard on top but Warren is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Reis wants to stand but Warren is controlling his posture from full guard.
Reis pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Warren is keeping the position for now.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Reis wants to get up but he can't break Warren's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nice sprawl there from Warren as Reis shoots in.
Warren shoots for a takedown but Reis saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Reis closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Warren to the mat! Warren manages to get full guard.
Reis preventing the sweep.
Reis must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Warren striking off his back but it's not causing Reis any problems.
Warren lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Warren throws a big right hand that misses.
Warren is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Reis wants to hit a switch here but Warren passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Reis there!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reis is wriggling around trying to escape.
BOOM! Warren connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Reis is desperately trying to improve his position but Warren has a good base and remains in mount.
Reis tries to hold on but Warren pushes him away.
Warren prevents Reis from getting the reversal.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee warns Reis that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Warren postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Reis looks a forlorn figure.
Warren is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Reis can do to turn this around?

Warren looking to secure an arm triangle but Reis defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reis regains half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Warren connects with a nice short shot to Reis's temple.
Reis wants to get back to full guard.

Warren is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Reis tries to get to full guard but Warren has control of the leg.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Reis trying to control here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Austin Warren showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Warren 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Austin Warren!