PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Michale Chang (ranked 4936 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brad Katona (ranked 4838 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Chang
vs
Katona

170 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

168 cm
18
134 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Michale Chang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Brad Katona!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Dillan Fox and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good work by Chang as he checks the leg kick.
Chang throws a leg kick but Katona sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Chang throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Katona.
Chang avoids a kick to the body.
It looked like Chang was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Katona tries a head kick but it misses.
A jab from Katona does it's job there.

Chang has closed the distance and engaged Katona in a clinch.

Katona's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick from Katona lands but Chang takes it in his stride.
Chang avoids the head kick by Katona.
Chang tries to counter by clinching up but Katona breaks away and moves out of range.
Chang swats away the attempt to clinch by Katona.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chang has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Katona.
Brad Katona seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Katona fails to land with a series of punches.

Chang has Katona up against the cage in a clinch.

Chang's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Katona blocks a leg kick.
Katona tries to close the distance and clinch up but Chang swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Katona throws a head kick that misses.
Katona connects with a high kick.

Chang is rocked!

Katona rushes Chang and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Katona has Chang pushed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chang has had enough of the clinch but Katona keeps him there for the moment.
Chang tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Katona smiles and moves away.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Chang.

Chang has closed the distance and engaged Katona in a clinch.
Katona jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Chang walks away with a smile on his face. Katona gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
A slapping leg kick lands for Katona.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Katona looking to land some kicks to the body here.
It looked like Chang was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Katona clinches up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Katona tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Chang is pressed up against the cage. Katona has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Chang down to the mat. Chang avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Chang takes the fight into the clinch.

Katona breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Katona tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Chang is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Katona.
Katona tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Katona tries to bum rush Chang with a series of wild strikes but Chang uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Chang wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

Katona gets a takedown into half guard.

Chang kicks off Katona and gets to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chang misses the shot to the body.
Katona shoots and misses
and Chang counters with a three punch combo that has Katona backing up. Katona nods at Chang to acknowledge the strikes.
Michale Chang has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brad Katona.
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!
Katona throws a lazy head kick

and Chang counters by clinching up.
Chang tries to circle away but Katona has him pinned against the cage.
Katona tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Chang avoids it.

Chang has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Katona uses from the top position.
Chang has Katona pulled in close to control his posture.

Katona stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Chang slips a jab and a cross from Katona.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Brad Katona will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Chang clinches.
Chang wants a takedown but no success here.
Katona jumps guard but Chang stands there with Katona around his waist. Katona gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Chang tries for a takedown but Katona manages to get underhooks.
Chang wants to take the fight to the mat but Katona manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michale Chang. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Katona pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Chang fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Katona throws a sloppy head kick and Chang moves out of range easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Katona misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Katona has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katona throws a sloppy head kick
and Chang counters with a series of strikes. Katona will be more careful next time no doubt.
Brad Katona seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Katona misses with a head kick.
Katona tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Chang manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Katona lands with a nice body kick.
Katona leaves Chang with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Katona will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Chang avoids the head kick by Katona.
Michale Chang is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Katona is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Chang seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Chang closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Katona did well to prevent Chang getting side control.
Katona is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Chang winds up and cracks Katona with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Katona is looking for a sweep. Chang is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
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!
Katona wants to get back to his feet.
Katona is breathing heavily.
Katona has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Chang is working away from the top position though.
Chang not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chang sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Katona defending well though.

Chang decides to stand up.

Chang gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Katona fails to pull guard.

Chang pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Chang fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Katona misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Katona misses with a double jab.
Chang is looking to chop away at Katona's legs.
Chang avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Katona throws a head kick that misses.
A quick step to the side and Chang tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Katona throws a sloppy head kick and Chang moves out of range easily.
Chang on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Katona. Katona obviously looking to wear him down.
Katona dives in for a single leg takedown but Chang sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Chang clinches up with Katona and pushes him back against the cage.
Katona misses with a knee to the head.

Chang has picked Katona up - he's going for a ride! Chang dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Katona manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Chang keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Chang is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Chang changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Katona fights it off and pushes away nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Michale Chang will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Katona swats away the attempt to clinch by Chang.
Chang moves out of range as Katona throws a body kick.
Chang blocks a head kick by Katona.
Chang fails with an attempt to clinch.
Katona tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Chang defends well and Katona ends up having to push Chang into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Chang is looking for a counter combo.
Katona is looking to clinch but Chang is avoiding it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Katona avoids a kick to the body.
A head kick by Katona misses
and Chang counters with a two punch combo.
Katona misses with a low kick as Chang jumps back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katona fails in his attempt to clinch.
Chang avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Katona tries a head kick but it misses.
Katona takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Katona rushes Chang and presses him up against the cage.
Chang tries for a takedown but Katona manages to get underhooks.
Chang has Katona pressed against the cage, preventing Katona from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

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

Chang rushes Katona and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Chang decides to pull guard.
Katona slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chang controls Katona momentarily but Katona frees himself.
Katona trying to control but Chang is working from the bottom.
Chang lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Chang makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Katona controls Chang momentarily but Chang frees himself.
Chang is looking to work some ground and pound but Katona has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chang stands and steps away. Katona gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Chang shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Katona is trying to defend but Chang finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Katona keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Katona is looking to improve his position.
Katona wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chang is nestled in close to Katona, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Katona is refusing to be controlled, as Chang sits in half guard.
Katona missing with punches from the bottom.
Chang lands strikes from half guard.
Katona is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Chang takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Chang throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Chang escapes and gets back to his feet.
Katona tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Chang defends well and Katona ends up having to push Chang into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Chang seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Chang avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michale Chang showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Chang has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Michale Chang!