PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Streicher Voges (ranked 5835 p4p, 495 weight class) and Nada Birchdale (ranked 5126 p4p, 462 weight class). Voges comes to the cage accompanied by Windgat bakkie. Nada Birchdale will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Voges
vs
Birchdale

178 cm
18
173 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Streicher Voges!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nada Birchdale!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Viktor Lagutenko and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Voges moves in looking to clinch but Birchdale pushes him off.
Birchdale replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Voges blocks it well.
A low kick from Voges misses
and Birchdale counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

Voges closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Voges grinds an elbow into Birchdale's temple.
Birchdale takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Voges working the ground and pound.
Birchdale is not content to let Voges control the position.
Birchdale is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Voges's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Birchdale wants to improve his position but Voges is controlling well.
Voges wants to take a breather but Birchdale is having none of it.
Voges drops an elbow to the side of Birchdale's head.
Birchdale really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Voges. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Birchdale is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Voges scores with a couple of nice shots.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Birchdale is trying to maintain the position but Voges is very close to passing his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Voges seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Ground and pound from Voges.
Birchdale felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Voges tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Birchdale.
Birchdale trying to hold on to Voges's head to control him but Voges postures up.
Voges seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Voges seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Birchdale does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Birchdale trying to control from the bottom.
Voges 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.
Voges is looking to take a break and control but Birchdale is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Birchdale is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Voges takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Voges is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Voges is nestled in close to Birchdale, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Birchdale is not content to let Voges control the position.
Voges with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Voges looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Birchdale with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Birchdale on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Voges lands a nice short elbow.
Voges is keen to just control but Birchdale is a slippery customer.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Voges is really struggling to control Birchdale but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Voges looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Birchdale is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Voges working the head and body with strikes.
Voges working the head and body with strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Voges is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Birchdale wants to control but Voges is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Voges looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Birchdale with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Voges wants to take a breather but Birchdale is having none of it.
Birchdale is trying to control but can't.
Birchdale is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Voges scores with a couple of nice shots.
Voges working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Voges looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Voges takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Voges slips a nice elbow through Birchdale's hands, connecting with Birchdale's forehead.
Voges scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Voges slows the pace down in half guard.
Birchdale is trying to maintain the position but Voges is very close to passing his half guard.
Voges lands with a punch from half guard.
Voges is thwarting Birchdale's attempts to control the position.
Birchdale is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Voges scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Voges lands strikes from half guard.
Birchdale is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Birchdale moves into full guard.
Voges working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Birchdale's head.
Voges trying to control but Birchdale is working from the bottom.
Voges is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Voges lands a couple of elbows.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Birchdale has momentary wrist control but Voges slips an elbow through the middle.
Voges chips away with some ground and pound.
Birchdale keeping moving, preventing Voges from controlling successfully.
Birchdale working a defensive guard here.
Voges with a nice head shot there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Birchdale fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Voges darts in trying to clinch
and Birchdale counters with a nice low kick that buckles Voges's knee momentarily.
Voges missing with a left hand there. Birchdale was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Birchdale, right into the meat.
Voges is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Birchdale can do to turn this around?
Voges tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A solid leg kick lands there for Birchdale.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Voges shoots in and bounces Birchdale off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Birchdale keeping moving, preventing Voges from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Birchdale wants to sweep here but Voges controlling him for the moment.
Voges postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Birchdale is trying to keep Voges in close.
Voges scoring with some ground and pound.
Voges stands up over Birchdale, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Birchdale has a closed guard, preventing Voges from standing up.
Voges lands a couple of digs.
Voges is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Voges is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Birchdale is rocked!
Voges wants to control from the top but Birchdale keeps moving.
Birchdale is still in real trouble! Can Voges finish him?

Birchdale working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Voges doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Voges manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Birchdale seems to have recovered his senses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Voges wants to control from the top but Birchdale keeps moving.
Voges landing some decent shots from guard.
Voges lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Voges wants to control from the top but Birchdale keeps moving.
Voges scoring with some ground and pound.
Voges lands a couple of digs.
Voges not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Birchdale had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Voges defends it easily.
Voges trying to control the position from guard on top but Birchdale is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Voges is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Voges lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Birchdale keeping moving, preventing Voges from controlling successfully.
Voges scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Birchdale wants to sweep here but Voges controlling him for the moment.
Voges chips away with some ground and pound.
Voges chips away with some ground and pound.
Voges stands up over Birchdale, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Voges trying to control the position from guard on top but Birchdale is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Birchdale is looking to stand up but Voges isn't so interested in that idea.
Birchdale is trying to keep Voges in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Voges drops back looking for a leg! Birchdale is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Birchdale manages to kick Voges off! Voges jumps back into Birchdale's guard.
Voges trying to control but Birchdale is working from the bottom.
Birchdale has momentary wrist control but Voges slips an elbow through the middle.
Voges lands a couple of digs.
Voges is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Voges trying to control the position from guard on top but Birchdale is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Voges lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Voges trying to control but Birchdale is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Streicher Voges dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Voges tried to score with a low kick but Birchdale checks it.
Birchdale is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Birchdale throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Voges is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Voges is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Birchdale's half guard.
Voges is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Voges trying to control but Birchdale is having none of it.
Birchdale regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Voges wants to control but Birchdale is keeping him busy.
Birchdale is looking for a sweep. Voges is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Birchdale trying to hold on to Voges's head to control him but Voges postures up.
Ground and pound from Voges.
Birchdale tries to get to full guard but Voges has control of the leg.
Voges is looking to take a break and control but Birchdale is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Voges is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Birchdale is trying to stand up here but Voges is controlling him well.
Birchdale is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Voges scores with a couple of nice shots.
Birchdale is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Birchdale is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Voges scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Voges drops an elbow to the side of Birchdale's head.
Streicher Voges overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Voges trying to control from half guard but Birchdale is working away.
Ground and pound from Voges.
Voges slips a nice elbow through Birchdale's hands, connecting with Birchdale's forehead.
Voges looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Voges lands a nice short elbow.
Voges lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Voges is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Voges is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Voges looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Birchdale with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Voges landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Birchdale has hold of Voges's hands but Voges slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Voges wants to take a breather but Birchdale is having none of it.
Birchdale wants to improve his position but Voges is controlling well.
Voges lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Voges is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Nada Birchdale has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Birchdale is looking to improve his position.
Voges working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Voges lands a nice short elbow.
Birchdale taking some punishment here, with Voges in his half guard.

Voges has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Birchdale defend it? Voges steps over the head and cranks it - Birchdale is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Voges!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Streicher Voges!
A relieved looking Streicher Voges thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.