PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Christopher Irwin (ranked 1407 p4p, 787 weight class) and Pablo Noriega (ranked 158 p4p, 95 weight class). Noriega is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: MS-13 Mara Salvatrucha. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Pablo Noriega enters the cage!

Irwin
vs
Noriega

150 cm
32
148
11 - 6 - 1

181 cm
42
148
31 - 18 - 2

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Christopher Irwin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 18 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pablo Noriega!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Summer Carpenter and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Irwin pushes Noriega up against the cage in a clinch.
Noriega lands a hook that snaps the head of Irwin backwards.
Irwin tries for a takedown but Noriega manages to get underhooks.
Noriega lands a body punch.
Noriega pushes Irwin back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Noriega.
Irwin takes an elbow to the temple.
A right hand to the body from Noriega.
A short right from Noriega on the inside.
Irwin drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
We've been hearing reports that Irwin has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Noriega using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Irwin is breathing heavily.
Noriega lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Noriega unloads a knee to the mid-section. Irwin lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Noriega lands a nice knee to the body.
Noriega digs a right hand underneath Irwin's ribcage. Irwin let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Irwin goes for a takedown in the clinch but Noriega prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Christopher Irwin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Noriega lands a body punch.
Noriega lands a right hand that snaps the head of Irwin backwards.
Noriega lands a knee to the body.
Noriega is working Irwin over against the cage.

Noriega breaks from the clinch.
Noriega explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Noriega punishes Irwin's body with a nice straight punch.
Christopher Irwin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Noriega lands with a straight right. Irwin didn't see that one coming.
Noriega chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Noriega lands with a nice body punch.
Noriega lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Noriega lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Noriega uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Irwin.
Irwin gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Irwin wants to clinch
and Noriega counters with a stiff right hand.
Noriega is looking to slow Irwin down with leg kicks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Irwin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Noriega paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Irwin takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Noriega is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Noriega scores with a hook to the body. Irwin takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Noriega lands a lovely overhand right.
Noriega lands with a right hand.
Pablo Noriega is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Noriega jabs at Irwin's body.
Noriega scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Noriega fakes the leg kick and cracks Irwin in the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Noriega pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Noriega misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Noriega connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Irwin momentarily.
Noriega has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Noriega throws a quick inside leg kick.
Irwin shoots in for a takedown but Noriega shows good takedown defense.
Irwin backing away here, and Noriega unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Irwin is looking to clinch.
Irwin looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A solid body kick from Noriega.
Irwin on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Noriega. Noriega obviously looking to wear him down.
A nice leg kick lands there from Noriega.
Noriega lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Noriega throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Irwin stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Irwin shoots in and gets a takedown into Noriega's guard.
Irwin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Noriega swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Irwin trying to control but Noriega is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irwin looking to pass the guard.
Irwin trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Noriega manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Noriega is stalling in the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Irwin had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Noriega defends it easily.
Irwin can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Noriega controls the pace.
Irwin lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Irwin wants to control from the top but Noriega keeps moving.
Irwin wants to pass the guard but Noriega is keeping the position.
Irwin wants to control from the top but Noriega keeps moving.
Noriega is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

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

Irwin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Noriega is aware though and is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pablo Noriega dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Jab from Noriega.
Irwin tries to clinch there but Noriega circles away.
A shot to the liver by Noriega. Beautiful body shot.
Noriega with a nice calf kick.
A jab from Noriega finds it's way through Irwin's defenses.
Irwin fails with an attempt to clinch.
Noriega connects with a solid leg kick.
Irwin throws a body punch but Noriega moves out of range.
Irwin wants to clinch.
A nice side step and Noriega releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Noriega scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Noriega lands with a slapping head kick.
Irwin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Noriega connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Noriega ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Noriega has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Irwin throws a body punch but Noriega moves out of range.
Noriega throws out a powerful jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Noriega dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Irwin. That did some damage!
Noriega has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Irwin takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Irwin takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Irwin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Irwin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Noriega paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Irwin is looking to clinch but Noriega is avoiding it.
Noriega moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Irwin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Noriega fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Irwin has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Irwin tries to clinch there but Noriega circles away.
Good standup being displayed there by Noriega as he connects with a hook.
Irwin takes one to the chin there.
Irwin is looking to clinch.

Irwin moves into the clinch successfully.
Noriega lands a nice elbow.
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!

Noriega manages to break the clinch.

Irwin manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Noriega on his heels. He'll look to pass Noriega's guard now, I'm sure.

Noriega has his feet on Irwin's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Noriega scores with a leg kick.
Irwin is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Noriega fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Irwin on the side of the head.

Noriega gets caught napping as Irwin dives in and scores a takedown. Noriega manages to retain guard.
Irwin is stalling in the full guard.
Irwin might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Irwin wants to control from the top but Noriega keeps moving.
Irwin is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Irwin trying to control the position from guard on top but Noriega is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Irwin is pushing down on Noriega's leg trying to pass to half guard. Noriega is fighting to maintain full guard but Irwin has managed to sneak the leg through.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Noriega keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Irwin content to control rather than advance.
Christopher Irwin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Noriega slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Irwin trying to control but Noriega is working from the bottom.

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

Noriega wants to stand but Irwin has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Noriega trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Irwin is trying to hold Noriega in close to prevent damage but Noriega has managed to pass into half guard.
Irwin wants to control but Noriega is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Irwin keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Irwin has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Noriega is working away from the top position though.
Irwin wants to get back to full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pablo Noriega showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Noriega gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Irwin to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Irwin wants to control from the top but Noriega keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Irwin looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Noriega trying to keep a closed guard but Irwin is proving a slippery customer.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Irwin wants to control from the top but Noriega keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Noriega throws a nice outside leg kick.
Noriega with a nice cross.
Noriega connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Noriega turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Irwin tries to clinch but Noriega moves out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Noriega as Irwin shoots in.
Noriega is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Irwin tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Noriega manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Noriega scores with a shot to the body.
Irwin misses with a body punch
and Noriega counters with a nice body shot.
Noriega lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Irwin avoids the head kick by Noriega.
Irwin attempts a counter takedown but Noriega avoids it well and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Irwin stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Noriega.
Irwin drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Irwin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Noriega keeps the fight on the outside.
Noriega throws a nice inside leg kick.
Irwin takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Noriega looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Irwin takes a swing at Noriega's ribcage but misses.
Irwin throws a body punch but Noriega moves out of range.
Noriega lands with a nice combination. Irwin backs away looking to recover.
Irwin fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Noriega swats away the attempt to clinch by Irwin.
Noriega keeps the fight on the outside.
Noriega connects with a high kick.
Noriega throws a head kick that Irwin semi-blocks.
Irwin is looking to wear down Noriega with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Noriega throws a good cross that connects.

Irwin scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Irwin wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Noriega, who protects the arm well.
Irwin trying to control the position but Noriega is working away.
Noriega is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Irwin working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Irwin goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Noriega has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Irwin but great work by Noriega.
Christopher Irwin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Irwin is looking for a sweep.
Irwin can't do much from the bottom here.
Irwin manages to work his way to half guard, despite Noriega's best efforts.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Noriega prevents Irwin from improving his position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Noriega in particular looking to stall.
Noriega prevents Irwin from improving his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pablo Noriega comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Noriega has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pablo Noriega!
Pablo Noriega opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.