PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jake Damien (ranked 224 p4p, 623 weight class) and Dick Winters (ranked 32 p4p, 96 weight class). Winters has chosen All Along the Watchtower as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.

Damien
vs
Winters

180 cm
26
176
8 - 0 - 0

183 cm
26
170
8 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jake Damien!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Dick Winters!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, David Hoff and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Winters looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Damien!
Damien gets back to half guard.

Damien actively working from the bottom here.
Winters is looking to take a break and control but Damien is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Winters seems to be working for a kimura but Damien defends the submission attempt.

Damien looking for submissions off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Damien is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Winters pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Damien gets back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Damien working a defensive guard here.
Winters is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Winters looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Damien working for a triangle but Winters defends it easily.
Damien trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Damien is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Damien looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Damien is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Winters defends well.

Winters avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Winters postures up.
Damien pulls Winters in to control the position.

Damien throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Winters showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Damien not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

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

That's four 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.
Winters moves away from the strike by Damien.
Damien throws a body shot but no joy.

Damien gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Winters to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Damien seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Damien keeping full guard, as Winters tries to pass.

Damien working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Winters doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Winters manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Damien is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Winters slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dick Winters dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Damien throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Winters's waist but Winters gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Damien off to one side.

Winters drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Damien wants to control but Winters postures up.

Winters is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Damien is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Winters has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Damien tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Winters wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
You can see the frustration on Damien's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Winters tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An elbow from Winters crashes against the mat.
Damien tries to buck Winters off but Winters is having none of it.
Damien sneaks back into half guard.
Damien is trying to maintain the position but Winters is very close to passing his half guard.
Damien is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

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.

Damien looking for subs from the bottom but Winters mounts him!

Winters goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Damien is on top in guard.
Damien trying to control the position from guard on top but Winters is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Damien works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Damien trying to control the action but Winters is working from the bottom.
Damien is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Damien moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Winters has worked his arm free - good work by Winters!
Damien trying to control the action but Winters is working from the bottom.

Damien is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Winters is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Damien wants to control but Winters is keeping him busy.

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.

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

Damien tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Winters looking for a sweep but Damien has passed into full mount! Oh no!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dick Winters will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Damien's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Winters drives through with a takedown into Damien's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Winters thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Winters advances to half guard.
Winters is looking to take a break and control but Damien is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Dick Winters has got the better of the ground game so far.
Damien is doing well to control the position and prevent Winters from advancing to side control.

Damien looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Damien is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Winters pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Damien wants to get back to full guard.
Damien slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Damien working for a triangle but Winters defends it easily.

Damien looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Damien has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Winters is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Damien.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Damien's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Damien regains half guard.
Damien trying to control from the bottom.

Damien actively working from the bottom here.

Damien is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Winters pulls his head out easily.
Damien wants to control but Winters is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Winters trying to pass the guard but Damien defending well.
Winters missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Winters sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Damien defending well though.
Winters takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Winters is thwarting Damien's attempts to control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Winters shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Damien manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Winters pushing down on Damien's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Damien trying to control but Winters postures up.
Damien tries to roll over but Winters keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Damien trying to control from the bottom.

Damien looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Winters trying to mount his opponent but Damien defends it.
Damien trying to hold on to Winters's head to control him but Winters postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Winters throws a strike but Damien avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

Damien had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Winters defends it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dick Winters really dominated that round.
That's time! Damien's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Winters shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Winters showed some decent athleticism there.
Winters is taking a breather. Damien 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.
Winters uses his free foot to push down on Damien's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Damien.
Damien is looking to improve his position but Winters isn't that keen on the idea.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Winters looking to control but Damien is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Damien tries to lock up and control but Winters gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Damien is working to get back to half guard.
Winters looking to finish Damien with some ground and pound. This is bad for Damien!
Winters can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Damien is looking to escape.
Damien is desperately trying to improve his position but Winters has a good base and remains in mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Damien bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Damien stopping the sweep attempt from Winters.
Damien wants to control from the top but Winters keeps moving.
Damien trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Damien trying to control the position from guard on top but Winters is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Damien tries to free his leg and advance position but Winters is retaining full guard.
Damien wants to control from the top but Winters keeps moving.
Winters 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.
Damien's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Damien is looking to advance position but Winters has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Damien working to try and regain half guard.
Damien tries to lock up and control but Winters gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Winters thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Damien is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Damien tries to hold on but Winters pushes him away.
Damien regains half guard.

Damien looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Winters missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Winters throwing shots but Damien is blocking nicely.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Winters is thwarting Damien's attempts to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dick Winters dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Winters is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Damien's half guard.
Winters uses his free foot to push down on Damien's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Damien.
Damien tries to hold on but Winters postures up.
Winters looking to control but Damien is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Damien wants to control but Winters is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Winters in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Winters jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Damien is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Damien and Winters has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Winters looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Winters tries to advance to mount but can't.
Damien is trying to control Winters's posture but Winters avoids it.
Winters gets to mount! Damien was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Damien tries to hold on but Winters postures up.
Damien is looking to get to half guard.
Damien is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Damien is trying to escape the mount.

Winters is working for a guillotine from mount but Damien frees his head quite easily.
Winters throws some wild stikes that Damien manages to avoid easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Damien really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Damien sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Winters is thwarting Damien's attempts to control the position.
Damien is trying to get back to full guard.
Damien is looking to control Winters's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Damien avoid being mounted?

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.
Damien is trying to get back to full guard.

Damien is looking to regain full guard. He's left an arm up in the air though and Winters has latched onto it... Big trouble! Winters pivots for an armbar - it's in tight and it Damien is tapping in no time flat! Great counter grappling there from Winters!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:31 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Dick Winters!
Dick Winters is the new welterweight champion!
A victorious Dick Winters thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.