PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Aaron Spears (ranked 2133 p4p, 4517 weight class) and Yuxiang Wu (ranked 304 p4p, 533 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Spears
vs
Wu

186 cm
24
200
7 - 9 - 1

181 cm
24
192
5 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 7 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aaron Spears!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Yuxiang Wu!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, John Roberts and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A chopping leg kick lands by Spears.
Spears tries to clinch up.
Spears throws a hook to the side of Wu's head but Wu sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Spears swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Wu.
An elbow from Wu crashes against the mat.
Wu misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Spears is trying to buck Wu off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spears is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Spears is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Wu asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Wu throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wu looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Spears wants to get back to his feet but Wu drags him back down.

Wu tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Wu is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Spears knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Spears wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

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

Wu thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Wu is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Spears has escaped the position, nice work there.
Wu misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Spears wants to get back to his feet but Wu drags him back down.
Wu has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wu thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Wu thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Wu looking to control but instead Spears has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Spears is looking to escape.

Wu seems to be looking for submissions.
Spears is trying to stand back up but Wu is controlling him
Wu wants to free his trapped foot but Spears is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wu is trying to control. Spears wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Spears won't allow Wu to pass to mount.
Spears is staying active underneath Wu, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Spears tries to kick Wu off but Wu keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Wu thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Spears's head.
Wu moves nicely into side control.
Spears is trying to get back to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

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

Wu thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yuxiang Wu dominated that round.
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.

Wu changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Spears tries to avoid it but Wu manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Spears to the ground. Spears escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
We've been told by Spears's head coaches at Doom's Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Wu has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Spears getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Wu walks into a left hand.
Spears misses with a wild combination.
A looping hook to the body misses from Wu. Spears does a little dance to reset his feet.
Spears swings for the body but Wu moves out of range.
Wu is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nice defenses there by Wu.
Wu with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Spears to score with a decent uppercut.
Wu shoots in looking for a takedown. Spears tries to sprawl out of it but Wu keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Spears manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wu takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spears misses with a body shot.
Spears connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Wu moves away from the strike by Spears.
Wu changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A left lands for Spears.
Spears misses with a hook

and Wu decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Spears's guard.
Spears can't keep his opponent in guard - Wu advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Wu is looking to advance position but Spears won't allow it.
Spears tries to kick Wu off but Wu keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Wu passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Spears!
Poor strikes thrown by Wu there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spears tries to hold on but Wu postures up.
Wu thowing shots but they're missing.
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!
Spears is trying to escape the mount but Wu keeps good control and instead manages to take Spears's back.

Wu is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Spears wants to get back to his feet.

Wu is persistently looking for the submission but Spears is defending it well.

Wu working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Spears is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Wu gets his way!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spears is trying to stand back up.

Spears is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Spears is trying to escape under a series of strikes and manages to escape from Wu 's hooks.

Wu with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Spears is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Wu looking to control and managing it successfully.
Spears is squirming around, avoiding Wu's attempts to control the action.
Spears is trying to stand up.
Poor strikes thrown by Wu there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

Wu has hold of Spears's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Spears manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Wu trying to control but Spears is having none of it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yuxiang Wu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Wu ducks under a wild hook from Spears.
Spears darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Spears with a hook.
Spears throws a front kick aimed at Wu's knee but Wu avoids it well.
Spears misses with a straight left.
Wu shoots in and drives through. Spears sprawls well.
Wu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Wu tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A jab from Spears does it's job there.
A big right from Spears misses.
Wu tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Spears loads up on a big right hand but Wu slips the punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spears looks to land a right hand but Wu moved out of range.
Aaron Spears seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wu takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Spears throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Wu showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Spears.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wu slips a jab and a cross from Spears.
Wu tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
The fighters circling - Spears throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Wu is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Spears throws a looping overhand right but Wu ducks down to avoid it.
Spears blocks a jab.

Wu shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Spears is trying to defend but Wu finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Wu throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Spears to regain full guard.
Spears keeping moving, preventing Wu from controlling successfully.
Spears wants to stand but Wu is controlling the position.
Wu trying to control the position from guard on top but Spears is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yuxiang Wu is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wu content to stall in guard here.

Wu postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Spears is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Wu, into his guard.

Spears wanted to stand there but Wu had control of the position.

Wu working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Spears doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Spears manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wu trying to control the position.
Wu pulls Spears in close to prevent any damage.
Spears would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Wu is looking for a triangle here but Spears uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Wu can't do much from the bottom here.
Spears tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Wu tries to bench press Spears off him but Spears keeps the position.
Wu sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Aaron Spears has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wu trying to control but Spears postures up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Spears lands a nice short elbow.
The fighters are battling for position here. Wu manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Spears would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Wu managing to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aaron Spears showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Wu has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuxiang Wu!
A relieved looking Yuxiang Wu thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.