PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Keith Morris (ranked 650 p4p, 34 weight class) and Etienne Gueguen (ranked 978 p4p, 57 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Morris
vs
Gueguen

170 cm
27
143 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

177 cm
27
144 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Money Inc.
Hardcore Nutrition 160Q ($150)

Hardcore Nutrition 160Q ($150)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Keith Morris!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Etienne Gueguen!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Sam Margolis and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morris uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gueguen.

Morris gets caught napping as Gueguen dives in and scores a takedown. Morris manages to retain guard.
Gueguen advances position into side control!
Gueguen tries to move to mount but Morris blocks the move with his legs.
Morris tries to bench press Gueguen off him but Gueguen keeps the position.

Gueguen is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Morris knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Morris tries to get back to half guard but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morris is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morris stops Gueguen from passing to mount.
Morris tries to buck Gueguen off but Gueguen is having none of it.
Morris has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Gueguen tries for a kimura but Morris is defending well.

Gueguen is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Morris has escaped the position, nice work there.
Morris prevents Gueguen from improving position.
Morris is not content to let Gueguen control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Gueguen is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Morris knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Gueguen is trying to get an arm triangle but Morris is defending well.

Gueguen is trying to get an arm triangle but Morris is defending well.
Morris tries to strike from the bottom but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morris can't do much from the bottom here.
Morris gets back to half guard.
Morris is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Morris is refusing to be controlled, as Gueguen sits in half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Morris goes for a double leg but Gueguen avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gueguen continues to drive forward.
Gueguen scores with a jab. Morris acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Morris.
Etienne Gueguen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gueguen keeps the fight on the outside.
Gueguen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Morris defends it well.

Gueguen drives through with a takedown into Morris's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Morris keeping moving, preventing Gueguen from controlling successfully.
Gueguen preventing the sweep.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Morris is on top in guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gueguen controls Morris momentarily but Morris frees himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Morris showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Morris trying to control the position from guard on top but Gueguen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Etienne Gueguen dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gueguen looks to throw the jab but Morris is out of range.
Morris tries to counter with a takedown but Gueguen is quick to defend against it.

Gueguen throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Morris tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Gueguen is in Morris's guard.
Morris bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gueguen's guard.

Morris is stalling in the full guard.
Morris wants to control from the top but Gueguen keeps moving.

Gueguen working for a triangle but Morris defends it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morris trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gueguen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gueguen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Morris wants to pass the guard but Gueguen is keeping the position.
Etienne Gueguen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Morris controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Morris postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Morris won't allow Gueguen to sweep him here.
Gueguen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gueguen keeps trying to improve his position.
Morris working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

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.
Morris throws a big right hand that misses.
Morris preventing the sweep.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Morris throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gueguen's waist but Gueguen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Morris off to one side.

Morris gets caught napping as Gueguen dives in and scores a takedown. Morris manages to retain guard.
Gueguen wants to pass the guard but Morris is keeping the position.
Morris manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gueguen manages to get himself to full guard.

Morris sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Our spies down at at Fight Factory inform us that Gueguen has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morris won't allow Gueguen to sweep him here.
Morris not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Morris with a flurry of punches that miss.
Morris in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Gueguen has an active guard here but Morris has managed to pass into half guard.
Morris thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Gueguen is looking for a sweep. Morris is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gueguen is pressing down on Morris's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Morris working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gueguen's head.
Gueguen keeping moving, preventing Morris from controlling successfully.
Gueguen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gueguen keeping moving, preventing Morris from controlling successfully.

Gueguen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
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 Keith Morris will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Morris decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Morris works his way into full mount!
Gueguen regains half guard.
Gueguen wants to improve his position but Morris is controlling well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morris is controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gueguen is trying to get back to full guard.
Morris wants to take a breather but Gueguen is having none of it.
Morris working over Gueguen with some ground and pound. Gueguen looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Gueguen manages to get to full guard.
Morris won't allow Gueguen to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Morris postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Morris is looking to work some ground and pound but Gueguen has wrist control.
Gueguen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Morris controls from within his opponent's guard.
Gueguen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Gueguen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Morris's guard.

Morris seems keen to control Gueguen's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morris looking to control.
Gueguen preventing the sweep.
Gueguen looking to pass the guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Morris keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Morris feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Gueguen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gueguen working a defensive guard here.
Morris throwing strikes but missing.
Morris won't allow Gueguen to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gueguen looking to control.
Morris is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Gueguen 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.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Morris misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gueguen.
Gueguen misses with an uppercut. Morris saw that one coming.
Morris fails to land the takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Morris doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keith Morris clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gueguen misses with a right hand

and Morris counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Morris.
Gueguen wants to sweep here but Morris controlling him for the moment.
Gueguen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Morris manages to get himself to full guard.

Morris pulls Gueguen in close to his closed guard and prevents Gueguen from doing any damage or advancing position.
Gueguen stopping the sweep attempt from Morris.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gueguen wants to pass the guard but Morris is keeping the position.
Morris looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morris wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Gueguen postures up.
Gueguen forces his way into half guard.
Morris trying to control but Gueguen postures up.
Morris is trying to control but Gueguen manages to pass to mount!
Gueguen is trying to take his opponent's back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gueguen avoids the attempt from Morris to control.
Morris is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Morris looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Gueguen doesn't have the hooks in and Morris manages to turn into his guard.
Morris throws a big elbow that misses.
Gueguen 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gueguen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Morris defends well.
Morris wants to pass the guard but Gueguen is keeping the position.
Morris landing some decent shots from guard.
Morris trying to control the position from guard on top but Gueguen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Gueguen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Morris gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Morris in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gueguen wants to sweep here but Morris controlling him for the moment.
Gueguen has momentary wrist control but Morris slips an elbow through the middle.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gueguen 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.
Morris controls from within his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Keith Morris will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Gueguen decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Morris manages to get to full guard.
Gueguen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Gueguen stands and throws Morris's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Morris is not content to let Gueguen control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gueguen goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Morris has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Gueguen but great work by Morris.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morris is looking to take a break and control but Gueguen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gueguen is trying to improve his position.
Gueguen regains half guard.
Morris thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gueguen's head.
Gueguen is looking to get back to full guard here but Morris has managed to pass to side control instead.
Gueguen tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Morris wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An elbow from Morris crashes against the mat.
Morris working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Gueguen regains half guard.
Gueguen is looking to get back to full guard here but Morris has managed to pass to side control instead.
Morris working the ground and pound but Gueguen is defending the strikes.
Morris moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Gueguen is looking to regain half guard here but Morris keeps moving and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gueguen is not content to let Morris control the position.
Gueguen regains half guard.
Morris prevents Gueguen from improving his position.
Morris throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Well, if Morris is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

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

Morris gets caught flat footed, as Gueguen shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Gueguen works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Gueguen is trying to control. Morris wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Gueguen wants to free his trapped foot but Morris is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Morris trying to hold on to Gueguen's head to control him but Gueguen postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Morris tries to roll over but Gueguen keeps him under control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Etienne Gueguen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Morris 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 47:49
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 48:47
Judge William Gold scores the fight 47:49

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Etienne Gueguen!
Etienne Gueguen is the new bantamweight champion!