PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between William OConnor (ranked 3942 p4p, 3862 weight class) and Gantulga Battur (ranked 495 p4p, 486 weight class). Battur has chosen Wolf Totem as his entrance music. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

OConnor
vs
Battur

183 cm
23
190
2 - 2 - 0

183 cm
25
185
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent elbows
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, William OConnor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Gantulga Battur!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Battur fails in his attempt to clinch.
OConnor 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.

OConnor gets a clinch.
Battur wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Battur wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
OConnor tries to work over Battur's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
OConnor putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Battur in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
OConnor working aggressively here.
OConnor using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Battur tries to circle away but OConnor has him pinned against the cage.
OConnor with a knee to the head.

It looks like Gantulga Battur has been cut.
OConnor tries to work over Battur's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
OConnor landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Battur looks winded!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knees in the clinch landing for OConnor.
Battur is trying to break the clinch but OConnor has him pressed against the cage.
OConnor connects with a knee to the head.
OConnor working Battur over with knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
OConnor lands a nice knee to the body.
OConnor with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OConnor lands a nice uppercut.
OConnor landing some nice looking knees to the body.
OConnor is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
OConnor landing knees to the body.
OConnor misses with a hook to the ribs.
OConnor landing some nice looking knees to the body.
OConnor misses with a body punch.
OConnor unloads a knee to the mid-section.
OConnor lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Battur or not.
OConnor lands a damaging elbow.
Battur blocks a body shot from OConnor.

OConnor successfully pulls guard.
OConnor striking off his back but it's not causing Battur any problems.
OConnor keeping moving, preventing Battur from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Battur being controlled here momentarily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Battur accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

OConnor is working an open guard so Battur takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

OConnor closes the distance and pushes Battur back into the cage.
OConnor lands a good knee to the midsection. Battur won't want to take too many of those.
OConnor misses with a punch to the body.
OConnor lands a nice knee to the body.
Battur takes a knee to the side of the body.
OConnor misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OConnor utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
OConnor lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Battur.
OConnor crunches a lovely knee into Battur's ribcage.
OConnor lands a knee to the body.
Nice elbow from OConnor.
OConnor crunches a lovely knee into Battur's ribcage.
OConnor landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
OConnor is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
OConnor digs a right hand underneath Battur's ribcage. Battur let out a lung full of air as it connected.
OConnor using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
OConnor landing some nice looking knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
OConnor unloads a knee to the mid-section. Battur lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Battur prevents a body shot from OConnor.
OConnor goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. OConnor obliges.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OConnor lands a body punch.
OConnor throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
OConnor tries to work over Battur's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
OConnor tries a body shot but Battur blocks it.
OConnor is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
OConnor unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Battur blocks a body shot from OConnor.
OConnor swings wildly with an uppercut but Battur uses good head movement to avoid it.
OConnor scores a nice knee to the body.
OConnor landing some nice looking knees to the body.

OConnor jumps guard and drags Battur to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
OConnor not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Battur won't allow OConnor to sweep him here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

William OConnor dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gantulga Battur's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Battur rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but OConnor moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Battur shoots in and drives through. OConnor sprawls well.

OConnor moves into the clinch.
OConnor can't find room to land a body shot as Battur controls the action.
OConnor landing some nice looking knees to the body.

OConnor has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Battur is trying to keep an underhook but OConnor manages to get the takedown into half guard.
OConnor is taking a breather. Battur says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Battur tries to get to full guard but OConnor has control of the leg.
Battur felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
OConnor performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Battur is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OConnor is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Battur can do to turn this around?
OConnor seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Battur does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
OConnor controlling the action here.
Battur is trying to control but can't.
OConnor content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
OConnor is trying to control. Battur wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
OConnor knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Battur on the ground.
Battur is trying to stand back up but OConnor is controlling him

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

OConnor closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
OConnor tries to throw a body punch but Battur avoids it by throwing OConnor back against the cage.
Battur takes an elbow to the temple.
Battur wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but OConnor has him pressed against the cage.
OConnor can't find room to land a body shot as Battur controls the action.
Battur tries to circle away but OConnor has him pinned against the cage.
OConnor doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
OConnor has Battur pressed against the cage, preventing Battur from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
OConnor crunches a lovely knee into Battur's ribcage.

OConnor manages to break the clinch.

OConnor gets a clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for OConnor.
OConnor tries to throw a body punch but Battur avoids it by throwing OConnor back against the cage.
OConnor has Battur pressed against the cage, preventing Battur from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
OConnor misses with a hook to the ribs.
OConnor crunches a lovely knee into Battur's ribcage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OConnor gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That has opened up Gantulga Battur's cut even more.
OConnor gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for OConnor.
OConnor goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
OConnor goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
OConnor landing some nice looking knees to the body.
OConnor tries a body shot but Battur blocks it.
OConnor working Battur over with knees to the body.
OConnor misses with a hook to the ribs.
A knee to the head by OConnor.
OConnor prevents Battur from breaking the clinch.
Knees to the body from OConnor.
OConnor unloads a knee to the mid-section.
OConnor can't find room to land a body shot as Battur controls the action.

OConnor manages to pull guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
OConnor pulls Battur in close to prevent any damage.

Battur stands up and waves to OConnor to follow him.
OConnor stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and OConnor wants it to stay on the feet.

OConnor closes the distance and clinches.
William OConnor has scored more points in the clinch so far.
OConnor tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Battur's elbow.
OConnor is working Battur over against the cage.
OConnor misses with a punch to the body.
OConnor can't find room to land a body shot as Battur controls the action.
OConnor tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Battur's elbow.
OConnor lands a nice knee to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

William OConnor dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Gantulga Battur's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

OConnor clinches with his opponent.
Battur wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Battur blocks a body shot from OConnor.
Battur blocks a body shot from OConnor.
OConnor can't find room to land a body shot as Battur controls the action.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as OConnor takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Battur is trying to break the clinch but OConnor has him pressed against the cage.
Battur has had enough of the clinch but OConnor keeps him there for the moment.
OConnor is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Battur is defending well for now.
Battur blocks an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OConnor lands a good knee to the midsection. Battur won't want to take too many of those.
Battur takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Battur is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Battur goes for a takedown attempt but OConnor pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
OConnor lets loose with a powerful body kick. Battur will feel that in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

OConnor pulls guard effortlessly.
Battur advances position into side control!
A lull in the action here as Battur stalls from top position.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Battur trying to control the position but OConnor is working away.
OConnor managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Battur.
OConnor holding on.
You can see the frustration on OConnor's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
William OConnor is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Battur trying to control the position but OConnor is working away.
Battur might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control OConnor haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Battur is trying to get an arm triangle but OConnor is defending well.

Battur wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by OConnor, who protects the arm well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
OConnor parries the strikes from Battur easily there. Battur is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable OConnor to escape.

Battur decides to stand up, so the ref orders OConnor to his feet.
Battur moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like William OConnor has been cut.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

OConnor closes the distance and pushes Battur back into the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to William OConnor.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for OConnor, 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:26
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:26
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... William OConnor!