PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joshua Byrd (ranked 6141 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jake Petersen (ranked 6319 p4p, 0 weight class). Jake Petersen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Byrd
vs
Petersen

173 cm
24
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
21
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent knees
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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Joshua Byrd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jake Petersen!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Winston Alpacca and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Byrd rushes Petersen and presses him up against the cage.

Petersen breaks the clinch.

Petersen clinches up with Byrd and pushes him back against the cage.

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

Byrd has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Petersen is on him like a limpet, forcing Byrd back against the cage.
Petersen takes a shot to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Petersen keeps control of Byrd as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Petersen lands a takedown into guard.
Petersen wants to pass the guard but Byrd is keeping the position.
Byrd is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Petersen is controlling him.
Petersen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Byrd works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Byrd is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Petersen drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Byrd manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Petersen has Byrd in his guard.

Petersen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Byrd. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Petersen keeping moving, preventing Byrd from controlling successfully.

Petersen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Byrd is aware though and is defending well.
Byrd tries to free his leg and advance position but Petersen is retaining full guard.

Petersen has his foot on Byrd's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Byrd works his way back into a safe position though.

Petersen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Byrd wants to stand but Petersen has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Petersen keeping moving, preventing Byrd from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petersen seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Byrd pushing down on Petersen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Petersen trying to hold on to Byrd's head to control him but Byrd postures up.
It looks like Byrd is going to stand back up.
Petersen is looking for a sweep. Byrd is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Byrd throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Byrd moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Petersen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Byrd pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Petersen shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Byrd is trying to stand.
Byrd is looking for a sweep. Petersen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Byrd wants to get back to his feet.

Petersen is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Petersen is looking to take a break and control but Byrd is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Petersen is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Byrd sees it coming and defends easily.
Byrd is looking to escape.
Petersen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Byrd's head.
Petersen stops Byrd from getting back to his feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Byrd goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Byrd looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Byrd is breathing heavily.
Petersen shoots in but no luck this time.

Petersen gets caught napping as Byrd dives in and scores a takedown. Petersen manages to retain guard.
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!
Byrd connects with a couple of short punches.
Byrd stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Petersen swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Petersen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Byrd defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joshua Byrd dominated that round.
That's time! Byrd's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Petersen throws a series of punches but Byrd moves out of range.

Byrd closes the distance and pushes Petersen back into the cage.
Petersen has Byrd pressed against the cage, preventing Byrd from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Byrd is fighting off a takedown attempt but Petersen is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Byrd to the mat. Byrd regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Petersen trying to control but Byrd is working from the bottom.
Byrd is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Petersen can do to turn this around?
Byrd trying to control the position.

Petersen is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Byrd has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Petersen is looking to defend but Byrd has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Petersen! Byrd pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Petersen taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:49 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Joshua Byrd!