PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cameron Betts (ranked 25743 p4p, 6155 weight class) and Giani Muscat (ranked 501 p4p, 453 weight class). Cameron Betts has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Betts
vs
Muscat

180 cm
18
145
0 - 3 - 0

170 cm
18
145
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Cameron Betts!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Giani Muscat!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Igor Prikhodko and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Betts shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Betts showed some decent athleticism there.
Betts wants to control but Muscat is keeping him busy.
Muscat really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Betts. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Betts is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Betts missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muscat trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Betts is looking to take a break and control but Muscat is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Betts trying to pass the guard but Muscat defending well.
Betts perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Betts really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Betts throws a one two combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Betts fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Muscat, pushing him back against the cage.

Betts breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Betts moves into the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Betts is fighting off a takedown attempt but Muscat is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Betts to the mat. Betts regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Muscat drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Betts dives on top into guard.

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Muscat is trying to control the position but Betts postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Betts connects with a couple of short punches.
Betts sitting in guard here, content to control.
Betts postures up in Muscat's guard and throws a big left but Muscat blocks it.
Betts trying to control but Muscat is working from the bottom.
Betts is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Muscat is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Muscat seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Betts trying to control the position from guard on top but Muscat is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Muscat looking for a guillotine here but Betts defends easily.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Betts swings for the body but Muscat moves out of range.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Betts darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Betts trying to pass the guard but Muscat defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cameron Betts 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.

Betts gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Muscat to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Betts wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Muscat manages to pass to side control.

Muscat thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Betts is pressing down on Muscat's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Betts seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Muscat works over Betts with some ground and pound from guard.
Muscat throwing strikes from guard but Betts blocks nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Muscat is looking to work some ground and pound but Betts has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Betts pushes Muscat off and gets back to his feet.
Muscat misses with a looping left.

Betts fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Muscat to the ground. Betts is now in Muscat's guard.
Betts trying to control the position from guard on top but Muscat is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cameron Betts overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Betts looking to sit in guard and control but Muscat gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Muscat lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Betts looking to control.
Muscat works over Betts with some ground and pound from guard.
Muscat controls from within his opponent's guard.
Betts is trying to keep Muscat in close.
Muscat stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Betts swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Betts not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Muscat trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Muscat connects with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muscat trying to control but Betts is working from the bottom.
Muscat looking to pass the guard.
Muscat is breathing heavily.
Muscat lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Betts is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Betts is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Muscat lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Betts is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Muscat can do to turn this around?
Muscat wants to control from the top but Betts keeps moving.

Muscat decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Betts, up you get!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Betts connects with a leg kick.
Muscat misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Muscat fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Betts, pushing him back against the cage.
Betts holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Muscat has Betts pressed against the cage.

Muscat has hold of one of Betts's legs. Betts is fighting the takedown attempt but Muscat gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Betts manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Betts gets underhooks to prevent Muscat's takedown attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Cameron Betts will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Betts changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Muscat looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Betts working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Betts trying to control the position but Muscat is working away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Betts stands up and beckons Muscat to his feet.

Betts darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Muscat takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Muscat manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Betts is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Muscat wants to improve his position but instead Betts has moved into half guard.
Betts passes the guard and advances to mount!
Muscat wants to control but Betts is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Betts wants to control the pace but Muscat is squirming around nicely.
Betts with a couple of short strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Betts throwing strikes but Muscat recovers to half guard. A much better position.
Muscat is looking for a sweep. Betts is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Muscat is refusing to be controlled, as Betts sits in half guard.
Betts is looking to advance position but Muscat won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Betts missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Betts trying to control the action but Muscat is working from the bottom.
Well, if Betts is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

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

Betts looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Betts is pressing down on Muscat's thigh, looking to free his foot. Muscat is holding on for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cameron Betts clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Betts scores with a takedown into Muscat's guard.
Muscat is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Betts pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Muscat is keeping the position for now.
Muscat looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Betts tries to stand but Muscat is controlling from the bottom.
Muscat looking to hit a scissor sweep but Betts is one step ahead there.
Muscat is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Betts drops back, looking for a kneebar! Muscat looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Muscat looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Muscat!

Muscat working the body and head with strikes.
Betts sneaks back into half guard.
Betts is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muscat lands strikes from half guard.
Muscat wants to control but Betts is keeping him busy.
Muscat seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Betts is trying to control but can't.
Betts on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Betts wants to get back to full guard.
Muscat is looking to take a break and control but Betts is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Muscat takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Muscat prevents Betts from standing back up.
Betts on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Betts trying to hold on to Muscat's head to control him but Muscat postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muscat is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Betts on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Muscat lands with a punch from half guard.
Muscat trying to control from half guard but Betts is working away.

Betts looking for submissions off his back.

Muscat decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Betts shoots in and gets a takedown into Muscat's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Betts trying to stand up but can't free himself from Muscat's guard.
Muscat looking for a sweep. Not yet Muscat, not yet.
Betts in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Betts wants to pass the guard but Muscat is keeping the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Giani Muscat will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Betts closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Betts lands a takedown into guard.
Muscat wants to hit a sweep here but Betts passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Muscat there!
Betts misses with a head shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muscat tries to hold on but Betts postures up.
Muscat is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Betts trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muscat tries to lock up and control but Betts gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Betts trying to control but Muscat is having none of it.
Muscat blocking the ground and pound.
Muscat wants to hold on but Betts pushes him away.
Betts looking to control but Muscat is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two 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.

Betts has hold of an arm here, looking to extend it. He's committed to the armbar attempt here! Will he get it?! Yes! Muscat is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:23 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Cameron Betts!
Cameron Betts is the new featherweight champion!