PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Connor Endo (ranked 9385 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hugo Howard (ranked 6335 p4p, 0 weight class). Hugo Howard has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Connor Endo's chin.

Endo
vs
Howard

195 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

195 cm
24
263 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Connor Endo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hugo Howard!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Daniel Franklin and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Endo scores with a shot to the body.
A punch combination from Howard misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Howard stalling the fight.
Howard has Endo pressed against the cage, preventing Endo from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Howard keeps control of Endo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Endo breaks the clinch.
Endo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Endo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Howard paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Howard instigates a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Howard looking for a takedown.

Howard pulls guard.
Endo would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Endo gets to his feet. Howard looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Endo misses with a body shot.

Endo closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Endo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Endo lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Connor Endo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Howard shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Endo as he avoids it easily.
Howard looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Connor Endo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hugo Howard.
Endo scores with a nice head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Endo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Howard on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Endo. Endo obviously looking to wear him down.
Howard swats away the attempt to clinch by Endo.
Endo avoids the head kick by Howard.
Howard fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Endo drops down looking for a counter takedown but Howard sprawls and moves away.
A punch combination from Endo misses.
Endo tries to clinch up but Howard circles away and keeps his distance.
As Endo backs off Howard throws a huge counter combo but Endo manages to avoid it all.

Howard throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Endo was covering up waiting for the punch and Howard finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Howard is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Endo wants to stand and escape but Howard is having none of it.
Howard is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Endo is working an open guard so Howard takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Endo tries to clinch up.
Howard swats away the attempt to clinch by Endo.
Howard fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Endo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Howard is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Howard scores with a leg kick.
Howard changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Endo tries to avoid it but Howard manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Endo to the ground. Endo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Endo doesn't manage to clinch there - Howard circles away.
Howard shoots and misses
and Endo counters with a straight right hand.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Howard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor Endo dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Howard takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Connor Endo is winning the standup battle so far.

Howard pushes Endo up against the cage in a clinch.
Howard keeps control of Endo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Endo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Howard can do to turn this around?
Howard jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Endo walks away with a smile on his face. Howard gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Howard moves into range and clinches up with Endo.
Endo tries to break free but Howard pushes him back against the cage.
Endo wants to break the clinch but can't.
Endo is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Endo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Endo lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Howard bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Howard has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Endo!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howard throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Endo holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Howard tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Howard controlling from mount.

Howard looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Howard tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Endo avoids a series of strikes thrown by Howard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Endo tries to buck Howard off but he can't manage it.
Howard sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Endo holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Howard tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

Howard wants to finish this one by submission but Endo is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Howard.
Howard tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Howard throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howard controlling from the full mount.
Howard thowing shots but they're missing.
Endo trying desperately to get to his feet.
Howard controlling the position easily from mount.
Endo takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's four 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.
Howard content just to control the position here.
Howard scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Endo?
Howard controlling his opponent.
Howard has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Howard looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hugo Howard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Howard shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Howard stops Endo from getting back to his feet.
Howard throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Howard is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Endo sees it coming and defends easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Howard works his way into full mount!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Howard controlling his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Endo blocking the ground and pound.
Howard thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Endo tries to buck Howard off but Howard takes his back!

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.

Howard has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Endo has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Howard is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Endo showing good submission defense here.
Good control from Howard.
Endo knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Howard on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Howard has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Endo is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Howard gets his way!

Endo is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Howard is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

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.

Howard is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Endo defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Endo defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Howard's arms.
Howard controls the action.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Endo covering up well under a series of strikes from Howard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hugo Howard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Howard has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hugo Howard!