PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tony Albano (ranked 4916 p4p, 400 weight class) and Mike Durham (ranked 4958 p4p, 402 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Albano
vs
Durham

171 cm
21
154 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

169 cm
21
153 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tony Albano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike Durham!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Stewart Dunkirk and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Albano connects with a body shot that sends Durham's belly button to the back.
Albano scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Durham doesn't seem bothered though.
Albano scores with a nice right hand.
Albano cracks Durham with a right hand to the side of the head.

Albano fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Durham sprawls well initially but Albano persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Albano winds up and cracks Durham with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Durham trying to hold on to Albano's head to control him but Albano postures up.

Durham looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Albano is nestled in close to Durham, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Albano is nestled in close to Durham, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Albano controlling the action here.

Durham actively working from the bottom here.
Albano knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Durham on the ground.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Albano connects with a nice short shot to Durham's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Durham actively working from the bottom here.

Durham actively working from the bottom here.
Albano wants to lay and pray for a moment but Durham keeps working.
Albano is nestled in close to Durham, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Albano wants to control but Durham is keeping him busy.
Durham tries to get to full guard but Albano has control of the leg.
Albano is thwarting Durham's attempts to control the position.

Durham is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Albano pulls his head out easily.

Durham actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Albano winds up and cracks Durham with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Durham actively working from the bottom here.

Albano is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Durham defends it well.
Durham is looking to control Albano's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Durham avoid being mounted?
Albano is trying to control. Durham wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Albano scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Durham looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Albano trying to control from Durham's half guard. Durham has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Durham is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Albano postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Albano lands a couple of digs.
Albano sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Durham's guard.

Durham actively working from the bottom here.
Albano is nestled in close to Durham, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Albano looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Albano prevents Durham from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Durham actively working from the bottom here.
Albano drops an elbow to the side of Durham's head.
Albano winds up and cracks Durham with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Albano is keen to just control but Durham is a slippery customer.
Albano working the head and body with strikes.
Durham is trying to get back to full guard.
Albano lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Albano landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Albano winds up and cracks Durham with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Durham controlling the position well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Albano working Durham over with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Albano dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Danga de danga de dang - Albano scores with a four punch combination!
Albano misses with a looping right.
Despite the aggression on Durham's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Albano.
Albano working away.
Albano taking a breather here.
Albano working the ground and pound.
Albano landing strikes.
Albano advances to mount.
Durham is working to get back to half guard.
Durham is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Durham is squirming around, avoiding Albano's attempts to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Albano lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Albano is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Durham can do to turn this around?
Durham tries to hold on but Albano postures up.
Durham working to try and regain half guard.
Albano lands a heavy elbow.
Durham tries to lock up and control but Albano gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Albano lands a couple of good shots and Durham has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Durham is really stuck here.
Albano lands a shot to the body.
I really don't envy Durham right now.
Albano is not going to allow Durham to sit and survive in this position.
Albano scores with strikes from the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Durham can't escape the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Albano is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Durham. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Durham looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Albano looking for the RNC.
Albano trying to control momentarily.
Durham trying to control but not successfully.
Albano has good solid back control here.
Durham covers up after that shot from Albano.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Durham is trying to remain composed but Albano is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Durham is trying to break free.
Durham prevents Albano from getting a body triangle.
The referee is taking a good look at Durham as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Albano!
Durham breaks Albano's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Albano trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Durham trying to control the position from guard on top but Albano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Durham throws a big right hand that misses.
Tony Albano overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Albano wants to sweep here but Durham controlling him for the moment.
Albano working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Durham.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Durham postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Albano tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Durham postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Durham lands a couple of elbows.
Durham throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Albano works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Durham missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Albano manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Durham manages to get himself to full guard.

Albano trying to control the position from guard on top but Durham is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

Durham working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Albano doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Albano manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Albano stands up over Durham, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Albano dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Albano closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Durham did well to prevent Albano getting side control.
Durham has hold of Albano's hands but Albano slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Albano is looking to advance position but Durham won't allow it.

Durham looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Albano looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Albano lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Durham actively working from the bottom here.

Durham looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Durham looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Albano looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Durham with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durham trying to control from the bottom.
Albano lands with a punch from half guard.
Nice strikes from Albano there.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Albano lands a nice short elbow.
Albano working over Durham with some ground and pound. Durham looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Albano working Durham over with strikes.
Albano trying to control from half guard but Durham is working away.
Durham is pressing down on Albano's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Albano is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Albano working some strikes from top position.

Durham is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Albano stands up over Durham, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Albano has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Albano trying to control but Durham is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Durham escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Albano gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Durham takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Albano is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Albano is in close to Durham's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Durham being controlled here, momentarily.

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

This has been an exciting period of action!
Albano pulls Durham in to control the position.
Durham postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Albano pulls Durham in close to his closed guard and prevents Durham from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Durham with a nice head shot there.
Albano 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.
Albano utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Durham landing some decent shots from guard.
Durham won't allow Albano to sweep him here.
Durham postures up in Albano's guard and throws a big left but Albano blocks it.
Albano controlling Durham's posture.
Albano wants to sweep here but Durham controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Albano is working hard here to advance position.
Albano on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Albano tries to get out of the position.
Albano keeping moving, preventing Durham from controlling successfully.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Durham won't allow Albano to sweep him here.
Albano utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Albano lands a leg kick that knocks Durham off balance momentarily.
Albano lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Albano lands a nice shot that snaps Durham's head back.
A combination from Durham does no damage.
Albano attempts a counter takedown but Durham avoids it well and moves away.
Mike Durham has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A clash of legs there as Durham blocks the low kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tony Albano showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Albano 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight for Tony Albano!
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight for Tony Albano!
Judge George Francis scores the fight for Tony Albano!

Tony Albano wins by unanimous decision!