PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Charlie Hickings (ranked 4271 p4p, 433 weight class) and Chris Werdm (ranked 5410 p4p, 511 weight class). Chris Werdm struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 186.5lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Chris Werdm looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Hickings
vs
Werdm

188 cm
18
191 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

175 cm
21
199 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Likes comics

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Charlie Hickings!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Chris Werdm!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Werdm gets a takedown into half guard.
Hickings slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hickings wants to sweep here but Werdm controlling him for the moment.
Werdm stands up over Hickings, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Werdm has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Werdm pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hickings is keeping the position for now.
Werdm is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hickings tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hickings has his foot on Werdm's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Werdm works his way back into a safe position though.
Werdm looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hickings is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Werdm defends well.
Werdm stopping the sweep attempt from Hickings.
Hickings has control of Werdm's left arm, preventing Werdm from doing any damage.
My spies in Cozad Amsterdam inform me that Werdm has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Werdm throws a big elbow that misses.
Hickings tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Werdm with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hickings looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Werdm throwing strikes but missing.
We've been hearing good reports from Hickings's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Werdm stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hickings swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Werdm walks into a straight right hand from Hickings.
Hickings bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Werdm's head backwards.
Werdm throws a series of punches but Hickings moves out of range.
Charlie Hickings seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Werdm shoots in for a takedown but Hickings shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hickings lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hickings lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A jab lands there for Hickings.
Hickings tests Werdm's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hickings connects with a right hand. Werdm shakes it off.
Charlie Hickings is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hickings catches Werdm with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Hickings connects with a right hand. Werdm shakes it off.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Werdm.
Good exchange - Hickings coming out on top.
Hickings smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A jab from Hickings does it's job there.
Hickings with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hickings ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A jab from Hickings does it's job there.
Werdm gets cracked there but stands up to it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Werdm will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Charlie Hickings has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Werdm.
Hickings closes this distance looking for a takedown but Werdm circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Werdm doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hickings counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Werdm looks winded!
Hickings lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice jab there from Hickings.
Nice straight punches there by Hickings. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hickings.
Hickings scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hickings scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Hickings lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Werdm takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Hickings moves out of range as Werdm throws a body kick.
Jab from Hickings.
Hickings thuds a left hand into Werdm's body.
Hickings is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Werdm is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hickings sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hickings cracks Werdm with an open hand slap.

Werdm is rocked!
Hickings is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Hickings drops Werdm with a straight left! Oh this is bad for Werdm! Hickings dives in and starts dropping bombs - the referee has no choice but to step in and save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Charlie Hickings!