PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Chris Fda (ranked 705 p4p, 99 weight class) and John Locke (ranked 1086 p4p, 146 weight class). Fda's entrance music is Hate Me Now. A fine choice. Locke has chosen What Makes a Good Man as his entrance music. John Locke told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Fda
vs
Locke

182 cm
33
186 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

175 cm
28
183 lbs
22 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chris Fda!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, John Locke!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Robert Twigg and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fda throws a hook to the side of Locke's head but Locke sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Fda misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Locke counters with a left to the body.
Fda scores with a jab. Locke acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Locke throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fda fires out a quick counter leg kick but Locke just manages to avoid it.
Fda on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Fda throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Locke avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Locke is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Fda takes a swing at Locke's ribcage but misses.
Fda throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Locke throws a hook to the side of Fda's head but Fda sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fda on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Fda throws a body kick that misses.
Locke on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Locke just misses with a punch to the body.
Fda appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Locke throws a looping overhand right but Fda ducks down to avoid it.
Fda was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fda cracks Locke with a good jab.
Fda misses with a takedown
enabling Locke to counter with a crisp jab.
Locke throws a lazy body kick
and Fda counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Fda throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Locke throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fda fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Locke manages to avoid it.
Fda misses with a hook
and Locke makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Locke fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fda manages to avoid it.
A left lands for Fda.
Fda connects with an inside leg kick.
Fda blocks a head kick by Locke.
A quick step to the side and Fda tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

Locke gets caught napping as Fda dives in and scores a takedown. Locke manages to retain guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Locke holds on and takes a little breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fda wants to control from the top but Locke keeps moving.
Locke really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fda. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Locke controlling Fda's posture.
Fda wants to control from the top but Locke keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fda forces his way into half guard.

Fda is trying to work for a kimura but Locke is defending well.

Fda seems to be working for a kimura but Locke defends the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fda is trying to control. Locke wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Fda is looking for a kimura but Locke is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Fda to get the leverage.

That's four 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.

Fda is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Fda trying to control the action but Locke is working from the bottom.

Fda is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Fda is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fda wants to free his trapped foot but Locke is holding on for dear life with his legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Fda dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Locke uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Fda.
Fda is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Locke can do to turn this around?
Fda misses the shot to the body.
Donk. Fda catches Locke right on the button with a cross.
Chris Fda is winning the standup battle so far.

Fda drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Fda trying to control but Locke is working from the bottom.
Locke is pulling down on Fda's head to control his posture.

Fda drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Locke dives on top into guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Locke controls from within his opponent's guard.

Fda has his foot on Locke's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Locke works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fda looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Locke puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

Fda looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Fda looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Fda actively working from the bottom here.

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.

Fda looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Fda manages to get to full guard.
Fda 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.

Locke got a little sloppy there for a moment and Fda has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Locke has managed to get both his arms back between Fda's legs - danger averted.
Chris Fda overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Locke stopping the sweep attempt from Fda.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fda had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Locke defends it easily.
Locke slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Fda is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Locke defends well.

Fda is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Fda looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Fda throws his legs up looking for a submission but Locke uses it to pass to side control.
Fda tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Locke takes a little break here. Fda wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Fda is looking to reverse the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fda regains half guard.

Fda looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Fda dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Locke fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fda manages to avoid it.
Locke clobbers Fda with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Fda lands with a shot to the body.
Fda misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Locke.
Fda throws a combination. Locke tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Fda is looking to wear down Locke with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Locke throws a nice looking combination but Fda bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Fda throwing a counter right hand but Locke manages to avoid it.
Locke is looking to slow Fda down with leg kicks.
Locke misses with a wild body shot.
Fda listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

Locke gets a clinch.
Fda lands a body punch.
Fda lands with a right to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Locke misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Fda.
Locke fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Locke working aggressively here.
Locke throws a punch but it's blocked by Fda.
Locke displaying some good clinch control by pressing Fda up against the cage.
Locke gets underhooks to prevent Fda's takedown attempt.

Fda tightens his grip and picks Locke up, before dumping him to the ground. Locke manages to land in guard.
Fda trying to control but Locke is working from the bottom.
Fda tries to free his leg and advance position but Locke is retaining full guard.
Locke keeping moving, preventing Fda from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Fda had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Locke defends it easily.

Fda is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Locke defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fda is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Fda not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Fda is looking for a triangle but Locke pushes his legs off easily.

Fda had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Locke defends it easily.
Locke is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

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.

Fda throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Locke seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Fda working for a triangle but Locke defends it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fda is trying to keep Locke in close.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Fda clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Fda works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Fda's jab looks to have found its range, popping Locke under the eye.
Locke throws a body punch but Fda moves out of range.
Fda on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Locke walks into a stiff left hand from Fda.
Locke misses with a combination
and Fda counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Locke thinking.
Fda connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fda takes a swing at Locke's ribcage but misses.
Locke wants to counter the offense by Fda and move into the clinch position.
Fda misses with an uppercut. Locke saw that one coming.
It seemed like Locke was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Locke misses with an uppercut. Fda saw that one coming.
Fda swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Fda bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Locke's head.
Fda misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Locke.
Locke moves out of range of the strikes.
Locke is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Fda jabs at Locke's body.
Fda cracks Locke with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Fda swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Fda works Locke's body with a nice hook.
Fda thuds a left hand into Locke's body.
Locke leaves Fda with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Locke tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fda was well out of range. Poor timing from Locke.
Locke has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Nice straight punches there by Locke. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Locke.
Fda tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fda avoids the body shot from Locke.
Fda's jab looks to have found its range, popping Locke under the eye.
Fda scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Locke doesn't seem bothered though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Locke shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Fda is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Fda throws a hook but Locke avoids it easily.
John Locke is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Locke misses with a hook to the body
and Fda makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Nice uppercut lands for Locke. That snapped Fda's head back.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Fda lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Locke has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Locke and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A little jabbing left from Locke on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Fda tries to score a power double leg takedown but Locke sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Fda somewhat.
Fda throws a nice looking combination but Locke bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Locke looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Chris Fda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Locke misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Locke swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Fda.
Fda scores with a crisp jab that stopped Locke in his tracks.

Locke moves into the clinch successfully.
Locke scores with a shot to the side of Fda's head.
Locke managing to block the knees to the body from Fda.

Fda breaks the clinch.
Fda ducks right into an uppercut from Locke.
Fda throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Locke to counter with a crisp jab.
A big right from Locke misses.
Locke takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A nice inside leg kick there by Locke. That's going to slow Fda down.
Fda scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Good standup being displayed there by Fda as he connects with a hook.
Locke throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fda throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Locke defending well as Fda loads up on a big left hand.
Locke thuds a left hand into Fda's body.
Fda looks to throw the jab but Locke is out of range.
Fda misses with a wild combination.
Locke flicks out a counter leg kick but Fda steps away.

Locke clinches up with Fda and pushes him back against the cage.
Fda misses with the head strike.
Locke lands with a left to the head.
Locke misses with some punches.
Fda is leaning against Locke and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Locke blocks a body shot from Fda.
Fda misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Fda had his way with John Locke in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Locke drives through and clinches with Fda against the cage.
Fda looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Locke looking to slow down the pace here.
Fda misses with a punch to the body.
Locke fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fda struggles to land a body shot inside as Locke controls his hands.
Locke goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Locke lands a body shot.
Nice body punch from Locke - that landed with a thud.
A hook to the body from Locke.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Locke trying to control the position but instead, Fda has worked for underhooks and has pushed Locke into the cage.
A short right from Fda.
Locke struggles to land a body shot inside as Fda controls his hands.
Locke struggles to land a body shot inside as Fda controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Locke working aggressively here.
Locke lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Locke lands a right hand that snaps the head of Fda backwards.
Fda tries for a takedown. No joy.
John Locke seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Fda blocking some punches.
Locke pushes Fda back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Locke prevents a body shot from Fda.
Fda blocks a body shot from Locke.
Fda misses with a body punch.
Fda blocks an uppercut.
Fda changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Locke fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Locke looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Fda on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Fda throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Locke sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fda. Locke does a little dance to reset his feet.
As Fda backs off Locke throws a huge counter combo but Fda manages to avoid it all.
Fda steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Locke.

Locke has taken the fight to the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Locke.
Locke goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fda has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Locke is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chris Fda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fda is trying to break the clinch but Locke is controlling him.
Locke misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fda lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A shot in the inside from Fda.
Fda lands a right hand.
Fda lands an uppercut.
Locke gets through Fda's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Locke lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Fda or not.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Locke.
Fda drops down looking for an ankle pick but Locke pulls his leg out and moves away.

Locke moves into the clinch.
John Locke has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Locke swings wildly with an uppercut but Fda uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice left hand lands by Fda.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Locke keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Fda's efforts to push away.
Chris Fda is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Locke can't find room to land a body shot as Fda controls the action.
Locke tries to throw a body punch but Fda avoids it by throwing Locke back against the cage.
Locke misses with a hook from the clinch.
Locke lands a body punch in the clinch.
Locke throws a head punch that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Locke misses with a punch to the body.
Locke misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Locke misses with some punches.
Locke tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Locke lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Fda backwards.
A right handed body shot lands from Locke.
A nice left hand lands by Locke.
Locke misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Locke misses with a punch to the body.
Locke throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Fda blocks an uppercut.
Locke struggles to land a body shot inside as Fda controls his hands.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Locke comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Fda 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 49:46
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 49:46
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Fda!
Chris Fda retains his middleweight title!
After the fight, Chris Fda was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.