PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Cody Garbrandt (ranked 589 p4p, 1366 weight class) and Jack Waller (ranked 34 p4p, 82 weight class). Waller has chosen Snoop Dogg - Murder Was the Case as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Garbrandt
vs
Waller

166 cm
28
140
12 - 0 - 0

165 cm
25
142
8 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Core Combat
Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013

Hardcore Nutrition 160Q $100 w/ Proof

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 12 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cody Garbrandt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jack Waller!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Thiago Cunha and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Waller misses the shot to the body.
The fighters circle momentarily. Garbrandt darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Garbrandt scores with a punch to the head.
Waller lands an overhand right.
Waller misses with an uppercut. Garbrandt saw that one coming.
Garbrandt throwing a counter right hand but Waller manages to avoid it.
Waller connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Waller tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Garbrandt was well out of range. Poor timing from Waller.
Garbrandt wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Garbrandt just misses with a punch to the body.
Garbrandt closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Garbrandt looks to land a right hand but Waller moved out of range.
Waller scores with the left hand. Garbrandt knows he should have avoided that one.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Garbrandt throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Waller counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garbrandt throws a hook but Waller avoids it easily.
Waller's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Garbrandt connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Waller scrambles back to his feet.
Garbrandt misses with a right hand
enabling Waller to counter with a crisp jab.
Waller throws a right and a left that both miss.
Waller throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Garbrandt on the side of the head.
The fighters circle momentarily. Waller darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A jab lands there for Waller.
Garbrandt takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Garbrandt throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Waller misses with a straight left.
Garbrandt slips under a jab.
Garbrandt was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Garbrandt throws a hook but Waller blocks it.
Jack Waller seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Garbrandt throws a hook but Waller blocks it.
Garbrandt swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Waller lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Waller lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Garbrandt at a distance.
Waller avoids the body shot from Garbrandt.
Jack Waller is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Waller lands a nice shot to the body.
Waller keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Waller misses with a wild body shot.
Garbrandt is looking to counter the offense by Waller and move into the clinch.
Garbrandt moves out of range of the strikes.
Garbrandt tries to counter with a takedown but Waller is quick to defend against it.
Garbrandt takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Waller throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Waller cracks Garbrandt with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Garbrandt goes for a double leg but Waller avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Waller continues to drive forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Waller misses the shot to the body.
A left and a right from Waller both land. Nice combination.
Garbrandt doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Garbrandt swings for the body but Waller moves out of range.
Waller swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Garbrandt takes one to the chin there.
Waller throws a hook but Garbrandt blocks it.
Donk. Waller catches Garbrandt right on the button with a cross.
Waller slips under a jab.
Waller cracks Garbrandt with a right hand to the side of the head.
Waller pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Garbrandt ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Garbrandt sizes up Waller with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

It looks like Jack Waller has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Waller scores with a hook to the body. Garbrandt takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Garbrandt tests Waller's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Waller looks to land a right hand but Garbrandt moved out of range.
Waller throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Garbrandt walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Waller throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Waller.
Waller is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Garbrandt had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Garbrandt fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Waller looks to score with a jab to the body but Garbrandt is just out of range.
Garbrandt misses with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Waller dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jack Waller's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Waller takes a swing at Garbrandt's ribcage but misses.
Waller lands a jab to the nose.
Garbrandt looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Garbrandt looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Garbrandt bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Waller's head.
Waller scores with a jab to the body.
Waller lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Garbrandt at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Garbrandt thows a left - swing and a miss!
Garbrandt keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Garbrandt throws a looping overhand right but Waller ducks down to avoid it.
Garbrandt throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Waller stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Waller rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Garbrandt moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Waller has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Garbrandt changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Waller looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Waller tries to escape but Garbrandt is in control.

Garbrandt thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Garbrandt wants to lay and pray for a moment but Waller keeps working.
Garbrandt is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Waller is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Waller wants to get back to his feet but Garbrandt drags him back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Garbrandt is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Waller is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Garbrandt wants to lay and pray for a moment but Waller keeps working.
Waller is trying to control Garbrandt's posture but Garbrandt avoids it.

Garbrandt is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Waller is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Waller sneaks back into half guard.
Waller is trying to stand up here but Garbrandt is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Garbrandt is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Garbrandt wants to lay and pray for a moment but Waller keeps working.
Garbrandt wants to pass to mount but Waller is defending the position.
Waller gets full guard.

Waller pushes Garbrandt off and gets back to his feet.
Garbrandt moves out of range as Waller strikes.
Garbrandt drops down looking for a counter takedown but Waller sprawls and moves away.
A telegraphed right hand from Waller misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Waller avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Garbrandt slips under a jab from Waller.
A big left from Waller misses.
Waller lands a jab to the head.
Jack Waller seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Waller bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Garbrandt's head.
Waller throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Garbrandt decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Waller's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Garbrandt slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Waller manages to get back to half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Waller can do anything to dispel that myth.
Waller is pressing down on Garbrandt's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Waller is looking to stand up but Garbrandt isn't so interested in that idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Waller showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jack Waller's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Garbrandt misses with a looping right.
Garbrandt takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Waller lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Waller takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Garbrandt misses with a wild body shot.
Waller scores with a nice head shot.
Waller moves forwards but Garbrandt connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Garbrandt on the wrong end of a nice hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Left hook, right uppercut from Waller.
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!
Waller throws a combination that misses
and Garbrandt counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Waller uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Garbrandt.
Waller throws a body punch but Garbrandt moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Waller leaves Garbrandt with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Waller gets caught napping as Garbrandt dives in and scores a takedown. Waller manages to retain guard.
Cody Garbrandt overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Waller keeping full guard, as Garbrandt tries to pass.
Waller not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Garbrandt's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Garbrandt pushes down on Waller's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Garbrandt tries to pass to full mount but Waller defends it.
Cody Garbrandt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garbrandt is working hard here to advance position.
Waller has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Garbrandt is trying to control. Waller wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Waller is trying to stand up here but Garbrandt is controlling him well.

Garbrandt is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Waller doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Garbrandt.
Garbrandt wants to free his trapped foot but Waller is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Garbrandt is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Garbrandt wants to work for an arm triangle but Waller is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Garbrandt is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Garbrandt seems to be looking for submissions.
Garbrandt trying to control from half guard but Waller is working away.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Waller dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Waller cracks Garbrandt with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Jack Waller is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Waller punishes Garbrandt's body with a nice straight punch.
Waller misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Garbrandt.
Waller throws a right and a left that Garbrandt avoids nicely.
An attempted straight right counter from Garbrandt misses the target.
Garbrandt avoids a punch combination nicely.
Garbrandt changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Some wild striking there from Waller.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Waller comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Waller winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Waller!
Jack Waller really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Threads of HARDCORE logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.