PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Robert Helpmann (ranked 4579 p4p, 529 weight class) and Terry Russell (ranked 5674 p4p, 587 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Helpmann
vs
Russell

184 cm
18
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

183 cm
18
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Altitude Clothing
Groove Gear

Caveman clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Robert Helpmann!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Terry Russell!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Emerson Jorge and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good shot there by Helpmann.
Helpmann swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Helpmann will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Russell keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Russell gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Helpmann counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Russell on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Russell bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Russell misses with a takedown
and Russell takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Helpmann throws a right and a left that Russell avoids nicely.
Helpmann scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Helpmann pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Russell takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Russell tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell scores with a one two! Helpmann had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Russell staying out of range there.
Helpmann misses the shot to the body.
Helpmann looks to land a left hand but Russell moved out of range nicely.
Russell walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Helpmann is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Russell.
Helpmann throws a looping overhand right but Russell ducks down to avoid it.
Robert Helpmann is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Russell takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Russell misses with a takedown attempt
and Helpmann counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Robert Helpmann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Terry Russell.
Russell wants to clinch.
Russell walks into a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helpmann throws a hook but Russell blocks it.
Helpmann cracks a nice hook into Russell's ribs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Helpmann misses with a straight right.
Russell has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Russell there as he acknowledges the shot.
Helpmann lands a two punch combo.
Russell misses with a lunging right hand
and Helpmann counters with a three punch combo that has Russell backing up. Russell nods at Helpmann to acknowledge the strikes.
Russell fails with a takedown attempt.
Helpmann lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Helpmann scores with a crisp jab that stopped Russell in his tracks.
Russell shoots in but Helpmann avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Helpmann lands with a nice body punch.
Helpmann throws out a loose jab but Russell uses good head movement to avoid it.
Helpmann lunges at Russell with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Russell's hand.
Helpmann looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Russell tries a head kick but it misses.
Helpmann lands a slapping body shot.
Russell takes a jab right on the kisser.
Helpmann tries to bum rush Russell with a series of wild strikes but Russell uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Helpmann works Russell's body with a nice hook.

Russell pushes Helpmann up against the cage in a clinch.
Russell tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Helpmann just stands there and leans against the cage.
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!
Russell jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Helpmann walks away with a smile on his face. Russell gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell fails with a takedown attempt.
Helpmann lands the left hand.
Russell tries to clinch up but Helpmann circles away and keeps his distance.
Russell walks into a stiff left hand from Helpmann.
Helpmann throws a big shot that misses.
Helpmann is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Russell uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Helpmann.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Russell.
Russell shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Helpmann counters with a right hand to the body.
Helpmann smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Helpmann dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Russell ducks under a wild hook from Helpmann.
Decent striking displayed by Helpmann there.
Helpmann shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Russell eats them both and turns towards Helpmann to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Russell is looking to clinch but Helpmann is avoiding it.
Helpmann throws a jab but it's blocked by Russell.
Helpmann missing with a left hand there. Russell was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Russell wants to counter with a clinch but Helpmann pushes him away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Russell is defended easily by Helpmann.
Helpmann is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Helpmann swinging wildly here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Russell wants to clinch up but Helpmann keeps it at a distance.
Helpmann cracks a nice hook into Russell's ribs.
Russell wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell tries to clinch but Helpmann is having none of it.
Helpmann throws a series of punches but Russell avoids them all with ease.
Russell shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Helpmann pinned against the cage. Helpmann gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Helpmann swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Helpmann will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Helpmann just misses with a punch to the body.
Russell has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Russell takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Russell avoids the body shot from Helpmann.
Russell tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Helpmann manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Russell moves into the clinch successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Helpmann pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Helpmann keeps the fight on the outside.
Helpmann digs a good body shot into Russell's ribs.
Helpmann with a jab.
Helpmann missing with a left hand there. Russell was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Russell gets a clinch.

Helpmann breaks from the clinch.
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!
Russell with a jab.
Helpmann jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Helpmann tries to keep at a distance but Russell has taken the fight into the clinch.

Helpmann manages to break the clinch.
Helpmann uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Russell has time to react.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Russell is defended easily by Helpmann.
Robert Helpmann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Terry Russell.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Russell there as he acknowledges the shot.
Helpmann is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Russell can do to turn this around?
Helpmann avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Russell tries to close the distance and clinch up but Helpmann swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Russell slips under a jab from Helpmann.
Russell feints the counter takedown.
Helpmann looks to land a combination. Russell sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Russell blocks a jab.
Helpmann ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Russell moves away.
Helpmann stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Helpmann wants it to stay on the feet.
Helpmann throws a big shot that misses.
Russell is trying desperately to land a takedown but Helpmann is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Russell.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Helpmann throws out a powerful jab.
Helpmann scores with a nice head shot.
Russell looks for a takedown but Helpmann sprawls well.
Russell is trying hard to land a takedown here. Helpmann sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Helpmann scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Russell has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Robert Helpmann is winning the standup battle so far.
Russell takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Helpmann scores with a hook.

Russell moves into the clinch.
Helpmann has Russell pressed against the cage.
Helpmann's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Helpmann pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Helpmann dominated that second round.
That's time! Helpmann's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from Helpmann. Russell does a little dance to reset his feet.
Helpmann lands with a straight right. Russell didn't see that one coming.
Terry Russell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Russell shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Helpmann counters with a nice body shot.
Russell uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Helpmann.
Russell tries to score a power double leg takedown but Helpmann sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Russell somewhat.
Helpmann throws a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Helpmann looks to land a combination. Russell sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Helpmann connects with a single shot there.
Helpmann misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helpmann moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nice body punch from Helpmann.
Russell moves in looking to clinch but Helpmann pushes him off.
Helpmann throws a lazy right hand but Russell sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Russell steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Helpmann.
Russell doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Helpmann counters with a nice uppercut.
Robert Helpmann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Terry Russell.
Russell with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Helpmann to score with a decent uppercut.
Russell ducks under a wild hook from Helpmann.
Russell has his takedown stuffed
and Helpmann counters with a stiff right hand.
Russell closes the distance and clinches up with Helpmann, looking for a takedown. Russell pushes Helpmann against the cage but Helpmann circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Russell throws a head kick but Helpmann moves out of range.
Russell misses with a combination
and Helpmann cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Helpmann misses.
Russell tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Helpmann paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Russell tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Helpmann swivels and escapes.
Helpmann throws a jab but it's blocked by Russell.
Russell replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Helpmann blocks it well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Helpmann connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Helpmann throws a one two combo.
The fight stays on the outside here - Russell looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Russell tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Russell tries to clinch but Helpmann is having none of it.
Helpmann lands an overhand right.
Russell moves in looking to clinch but Helpmann pushes him off.
Robert Helpmann is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helpmann lands a really nice looking cross but Russell seems unphased.
The fighters circling - Helpmann throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Helpmann throws a hook to the side of Russell's head but Russell sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Russell tries to close the distance and clinch but Helpmann swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Helpmann throwing a counter right hand but Russell manages to avoid it.
Russell moves away from the strike by Helpmann.
Helpmann waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Russell.
Russell dives in for a single leg takedown but Helpmann sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Russell uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Helpmann.
Russell fails in his attempt to clinch.
Russell tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Russell throws a head kick that misses.
Russell doesn't manage to clinch there - Helpmann circles away.
Russell doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Russell does no damage.
The fight stays on the outside here - Russell looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Helpmann throws a nice looking combination but Russell bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice cross by Helpmann.
Russell tries to close the distance and clinch up but Helpmann swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Helpmann bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A punch combination from Helpmann misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Russell defending well as Helpmann loads up on a big left hand.
Russell misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Helpmann swings away with a body shot that misses
and Russell counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Terry Russell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A shot to the liver by Helpmann. Beautiful body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Helpmann showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Helpmann, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:26
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:26
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Helpmann!
During a confident post fight interview, Robert Helpmann thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.