PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Garret Woodard (ranked 25124 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nicholas Neel (ranked 25167 p4p, 0 weight class). Garret Woodard has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Woodard
vs
Neel

219 cm
24
178 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

185 cm
23
175 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Garret Woodard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nicholas Neel!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Neel has Woodard up against the cage in a clinch.

Woodard has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Neel uses from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Neel trying to control the position from guard on top but Woodard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Woodard keeping full guard, as Neel tries to pass.
Neel 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.
Woodard looking to hit a scissor sweep but Neel is one step ahead there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Neel is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Neel has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Neel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Woodard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Woodard uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Neel rushes Woodard and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Woodard has had enough of the clinch but Neel keeps him there for the moment.
Woodard managing to block the knees to the body from Neel.
Neel changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Woodard fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Neel tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Woodard defends well and Neel ends up having to push Woodard into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Neel closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Neel lands in his opponent's guard.
Neel prevents Woodard from getting back to his feet.
Neel working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neel with a nice head shot there.

Woodard kicks Neel off and gets to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Neel has Woodard up against the cage in a clinch.

Neel pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Neel misses with a double jab.

Neel drives through and clinches with Woodard against the cage.

Neel's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Woodard fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Woodard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neel misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Neel slaps away a takedown attempt from Woodard, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Neel let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Garret Woodard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Neel misses with a takedown attempt - Woodard sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Neel moves out of range of the body kick.

Neel dives in and scores a takedown into Woodard's guard.
Woodard wants to stand and escape but Neel is having none of it.

Woodard uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Woodard looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neel is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Woodard thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

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

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Woodard is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Woodard scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Neel gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nicholas Neel will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Woodard pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Neel follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Woodard darts in looking for a takedown but Neel gets double underhooks and turns Woodard into the cage.
Woodard shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Neel defends it nicely.
Neel misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Woodard lands a nice leg kick that just misses Neel's sensitive parts.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Neel misses with a takedown attempt
and Woodard counters with a left and a right that stings Neel.
Woodard with a lazy takedown attempt

and Neel counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Neel.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Garret Woodard. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Neel shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Woodard manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Neel wants to pass the guard but Woodard is keeping the position.
Woodard looking to control.
Neel stopping the sweep attempt from Woodard.
Woodard really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Neel is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Woodard manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Neel manages to get himself to full guard.

Woodard postures up in Neel's guard and throws a big left but Neel blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Woodard postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Neel is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Woodard, into his guard.

Neel wants to pass the guard but Woodard is keeping the position.
Woodard thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Woodard thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Woodard tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Woodard manages to escape and get back to his feet.
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!

Woodard fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Neel, pushing him back against the cage.
Woodard tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Neel smiles and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neel tries a head kick but it misses.
Neel fails to land the takedown.
Neel is breathing heavily.
Woodard shoots in but Neel avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Woodard looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Neel looks for a takedown but Woodard sprawls well.

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

Neel pushes Woodard up against the cage in a clinch.

Woodard gets control of Neel's arms and successfully pulls guard. Woodard will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Neel throwing strikes but missing.

Woodard uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Neel looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Woodard tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Neel manages to circle out of the way.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Neel swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Woodard appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

Woodard gets the takedown into side control.

Woodard decides to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Garret Woodard dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Woodard lands with a kick to the temple. Neel shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
A looping hook to the body misses from Neel. Woodard does a little dance to reset his feet.

Neel has managed to clinch.

Neel pulls guard effortlessly.
Woodard lands a couple of digs.
Garret Woodard overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Woodard decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Neel has Woodard up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Woodard tries to pull guard but Neel won't allow it.
Neel scores a nice knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neel has Woodard pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Neel pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Woodard tumbling to the mat - Neel dives into Woodard's guard.
Woodard is looking to stand back up but Neel counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Woodard.

Woodard moves into full guard.
Neel passes Woodard's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Woodard wants to get back to his feet.
Neel prevents Woodard from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Woodard looks like he's trying to stand up.
Woodard tries to roll over but Neel keeps him under control.
Woodard gets full guard.
Neel trying to control but Woodard is working from the bottom.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Woodard manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Neel jumps guard but Woodard turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Neel takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Neel breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Woodard shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Neel sprawls well. Neel wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Woodard gets slowly back to his feet.
Nicholas Neel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Neel throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Neel forces Woodard back against the cage and clinches.
Woodard has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Woodard tries to pull guard but Neel holds him up against the cage and eventually Woodard drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Garret Woodard. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Neel breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neel shoots in for a double leg but Woodard sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Woodard throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Neel.
Neel shoots in for a takedown but Woodard shows good takedown defense.
Neel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Woodard moves away.
Woodard throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Neel chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Woodard can pounce on him.

Woodard moves into the clinch.
Woodard is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Neel to keep the fight standing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Neel has Woodard pushed against the cage.
Woodard drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Neel gets the underhooks and prevents it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Nicholas Neel.
I think Neel 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!