PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Brother Druther (ranked 2055 p4p, 251 weight class) and Ryan Beeker Jr (ranked 3230 p4p, 371 weight class). Beeker Jr has chosen Lil Uzi Vert- New Patek as his entrance music. Ryan Beeker Jr has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Druther
vs
Beeker Jr

180 cm
27
186 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

180 cm
26
185 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Powerful

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Brother Druther!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ryan Beeker Jr!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Josh West and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Druther lands a jab to Beeker Jr's midsection.
Druther lands with a hook. Beeker Jr tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Druther shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Druther connects with a couple of short punches.
Druther stands up over Beeker Jr, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Druther trying to control the position from guard on top but Beeker Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Beeker Jr utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Druther working some strikes from top position.
Beeker Jr trying to keep a closed guard but Druther is proving a slippery customer.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Beeker Jr is on top in guard.

Beeker Jr slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Druther wants to sweep here but Beeker Jr controlling him for the moment.
Druther keeping moving, preventing Beeker Jr from controlling successfully.
Druther on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Druther tries to get out of the position.
Beeker Jr is fighting to break Druther's control of his arms but Druther is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Beeker Jr wants to pass the guard but Druther is keeping the position.
Beeker Jr showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Druther has Beeker Jr pulled in close to control his posture.
Beeker Jr stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Druther swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Druther is trying to keep Beeker Jr in close.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Druther lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Druther lands a jab to the head.
Beeker Jr uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Druther.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Beeker Jr drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Druther stalls.

Druther manages to break the clinch.
Druther bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Beeker Jr's head.
Druther lands with a straight right. Beeker Jr didn't see that one coming.
Beeker Jr closes the distance and clinches up with Druther, looking for a takedown. Beeker Jr pushes Druther against the cage but Druther circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Druther appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Brother Druther seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Beeker Jr shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Druther as he avoids it easily.
Brother Druther has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryan Beeker Jr.
Druther connects with a looping right hand.
Druther swinging wildly here.
Beeker Jr with the counter takedown but Druther avoids it easily.
Druther misses with a wild body shot.
Beeker Jr with the counter takedown but Druther avoids it easily.
Donk. Druther catches Beeker Jr right on the button with a cross.
Druther lands an overhand right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Druther fails with a takedown attempt.
Druther scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
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!

Druther closes the distance and pushes Beeker Jr back into the cage.
Beeker Jr is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Druther pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Druther breaks from the clinch.

Druther scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Druther connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Beeker Jr some visible discomfort.
Druther throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Check out the look on Druther's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Druther looks up at the clock and then as Beeker Jr takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Druther smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Beeker Jr manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brother Druther dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Druther lands a jab to Beeker Jr's midsection.
Druther throws a lazy right hand but Beeker Jr sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Druther lands a jab to the nose.

Beeker Jr throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Druther was covering up waiting for the punch and Beeker Jr finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Beeker Jr preventing the sweep.
Beeker Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Druther is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Druther pulls Beeker Jr in close to prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Druther wants to sweep but no luck.
Druther is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Beeker Jr can do to turn this around?
Druther is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beeker Jr not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Beeker Jr pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Druther is keeping the position for now.
Beeker Jr showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Let's hope that Beeker Jr 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.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Druther lands a nice shot to the body.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Druther enables Beeker Jr to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Druther manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Beeker Jr stopping the sweep attempt from Druther.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Beeker Jr's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Beeker Jr preventing the sweep.
Beeker Jr wants to control from the top but Druther keeps moving.
Druther wants to sweep here but Beeker Jr controlling him for the moment.
Druther managing to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Beeker Jr wants to control from the top but Druther keeps moving.
Beeker Jr 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.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Beeker Jr shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Druther manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Druther has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Druther has control of Beeker Jr's left arm, preventing Beeker Jr from doing any damage.
Beeker Jr stopping the sweep attempt from Druther.
Beeker Jr trying to control but Druther is working from the bottom.
Beeker Jr is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Druther wants to sweep here but Beeker Jr controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Beeker Jr looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Druther pulls Beeker Jr in close to his closed guard and prevents Beeker Jr from doing any damage or advancing position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Beeker Jr shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Druther as he avoids it easily.
Beeker Jr takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Druther has taken the fight to the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Druther.
Beeker Jr wants a takedown.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Beeker Jr tries for a takedown but Druther manages to get underhooks.
Brother Druther has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryan Beeker Jr.
Druther lands a right hand.
Beeker Jr tries for a takedown but Druther manages to get underhooks.
Beeker Jr is working for takedown but Druther is calmly controlling the position for now.
Beeker Jr is breathing heavily.

Druther is trying to trip Beeker Jr. He has hold of a leg but Beeker Jr is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Druther persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brother Druther dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Beeker Jr shoots in looking for a takedown. Druther tries to sprawl out of it but Beeker Jr keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Druther manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Beeker Jr fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Brother Druther is winning the standup battle so far.

Druther fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Beeker Jr, pushing him back against the cage.
Druther controlling the action here for a moment.

Druther is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Beeker Jr can't fight it off and eventually Druther manages to take the fight to the floor. Beeker Jr looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Druther working some strikes from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beeker Jr has his hands on Druther's head, controlling the position.
Beeker Jr looking to hit a scissor sweep but Druther is one step ahead there.
Beeker Jr avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Beeker Jr controls Druther momentarily but Druther frees himself.
Beeker Jr is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Druther is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Beeker Jr wants to pass the guard but Druther is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Beeker Jr content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Druther is looking to improve his position.
Druther trying to hold on to Beeker Jr's head to control him but Beeker Jr postures up.
Beeker Jr is pressing down on Druther's thigh, looking to free his foot. Druther is holding on for now.
Beeker Jr content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Beeker Jr seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Druther does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beeker Jr content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Druther is looking for a sweep. Beeker Jr is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Beeker Jr is trying to control the action in half guard but Druther is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Druther connects with a looping right hand.
Beeker Jr misses with a takedown attempt - Druther sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Druther appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Brother Druther has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryan Beeker Jr.

Druther rushes Beeker Jr and presses him up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Druther lands a left hand that snaps the head of Beeker Jr backwards.

Druther turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Druther is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Beeker Jr knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Beeker Jr 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.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
The strikes coming from Druther are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Beeker Jr can't do much from the bottom here.
Beeker Jr is trying to get back to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Beeker Jr tries to improve position but can't.
Druther knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Beeker Jr on the ground.
Beeker Jr gets back to half guard.
Druther drops an elbow to the side of Beeker Jr's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brother Druther clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Beeker Jr will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Druther keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Beeker Jr doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Druther connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Druther clinches up against the cage.

Druther works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Druther accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Druther missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Druther has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Druther wants to control from the top but Beeker Jr keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Beeker Jr is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beeker Jr won't allow Druther to sweep him here.
Druther is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Druther has his hands on Beeker Jr's head, controlling the position.
Beeker Jr trying to control but Druther is working from the bottom.
Druther bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Beeker Jr's guard.

Beeker Jr is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Druther is controlling him.
Druther throws a big elbow that misses.
Druther chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Druther preventing the sweep.
Beeker Jr controls Druther momentarily but Druther frees himself.
Druther is working Beeker Jr over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Druther slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Druther is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Druther throws a big right hand that misses.
Druther looking to sit in guard and control but Beeker Jr gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Druther controls Beeker Jr momentarily but Beeker Jr frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Druther keeping moving, preventing Beeker Jr from controlling successfully.
Druther wants to sweep here but Beeker Jr controlling him for the moment.
Druther can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Beeker Jr controls the pace.
Druther looking for a sweep. Not yet Druther, not yet.
Beeker Jr is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Beeker Jr won't allow Druther to sweep him here.
Beeker Jr trying to control but Druther is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Druther rushes Beeker Jr and presses him up against the cage.

Druther gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Beeker Jr is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Druther prevents Beeker Jr from getting back to his feet.
Beeker Jr is wriggling around but Druther manages to pass to half guard.
Beeker Jr is pressing down on Druther's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Beeker Jr is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Druther throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Druther missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Druther preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brother Druther had his way with Ryan Beeker Jr in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Druther looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Druther trying to control the action but Beeker Jr is working from the bottom.
Beeker Jr trying to control but Druther postures up.
Beeker Jr is looking for a sweep. Druther is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Beeker Jr has his hands clasped together around Druther's back. He's all about the action.
Druther winds up and cracks Beeker Jr with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Beeker Jr is trying to get back to full guard.
Ground and pound from Druther.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Druther is nestled in close to Beeker Jr, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Beeker Jr is looking to control Druther's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Beeker Jr avoid being mounted?
Beeker Jr is not content to let Druther control the position.
Beeker Jr keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Druther is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Druther trying to control from Beeker Jr's half guard. Beeker Jr has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Beeker Jr wants to sweep here but Druther controlling him for the moment.
Druther wants to control from the top but Beeker Jr keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Druther is really struggling to control Beeker Jr but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Druther landing some decent shots from guard.
Druther stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Beeker Jr swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Druther preventing the sweep.
Beeker Jr is pulling down on Druther's head. It's preventing any offense from Druther, at least for the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Brother Druther is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beeker Jr looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Druther dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Beeker Jr takes one on the button.
Druther throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Beeker Jr will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Beeker Jr is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

Druther moves into the clinch.
Beeker Jr drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Druther gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Brother Druther has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryan Beeker Jr.

Druther turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Druther manages to end up in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Beeker Jr's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Check out the look on Druther's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Druther working the body and head with strikes.
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!
Beeker Jr can't do much from the bottom here.
Druther cracks Beeker Jr with a big right hand but Beeker Jr just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Druther wants to lay and pray for a moment but Beeker Jr keeps working.
Druther content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Beeker Jr tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Druther wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brother Druther showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Druther has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 50:45
Judge Josh West scores the fight 50:45
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brother Druther!
Brother Druther is the new middleweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Brother Druther thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.