PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Better Dead (ranked 821 p4p, 895 weight class) and Randy Randalman (ranked 124 p4p, 136 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Randalman's choice of entrance music: Creedence Clearwater - Fortunate Son. This should be fireworks!

Dead
vs
Randalman

190 cm
31
162
14 - 13 - 1

185 cm
33
168
12 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Fantasy Threads

Conquer
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Better Dead!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Randy Randalman!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Trevor Gratis and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dead catches Randalman with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Dead swings for the body but Randalman moves out of range.
Dead takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nice defenses there by Randalman.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Randalman has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Dead tries to land a body kick

and Randalman counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Randalman is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Dead is just riding it out for now. Randalman eventually gives up the hold.

Randalman is looking for a kimura here.
Randalman is keen to just control but Dead is a slippery customer.
Randalman is pressing down on Dead's thigh, looking to free his foot. Dead is holding on for now.
Dead is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Rabid Dog , so we'll see if he gets out of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Randalman seems to be looking for submissions.
Dead wants to get back to his feet.

Randalman is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Dead sees it coming and defends easily.

Randalman is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Dead avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Randalman.
Randalman is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Dead really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Dead blocking the ground and pound attempt from Randalman.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Randalman is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Dead tries to get to full guard but Randalman has control of the leg.

Randalman is trying to work for a kimura but Dead is defending well.
Randalman missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Dead trying to control from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Randalman is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Randalman thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Dead's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dead is trying to get back to full guard.
Randalman is trying to control. Dead wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Randalman seems to be looking for submissions.

Randalman is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Randalman is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Dead defends it well.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Randalman is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Dead has managed to free his arm - good work.

Randalman is looking for a kimura but Dead is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Randalman to get the leverage.
Dead tries to get to full guard but Randalman has control of the leg.

Randalman is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dead tries to roll over but Randalman keeps him under control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Randy Randalman dominated that round.
That's time! Dead's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Randalman walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Randalman shoots in and drives through. Dead sprawls well.
Dead throws a jab but it's blocked by Randalman.
Dead looks to land a right hand but Randalman moved out of range.
Randalman with the counter takedown but Dead avoids it easily.
Dead misses with a straight right.
Dead throws a hook to the side of Randalman's head but Randalman sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Randalman closes this distance looking for a takedown but Dead circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Randalman is defended easily by Dead.
Better Dead has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Randy Randalman.
Dead lands a lovely overhand right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Randalman tries to clinch up.
Dead swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Randalman closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Dead quickly recovers to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Dead makes his way to full guard, as Randalman worked for a kimura.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dead has control of Randalman's left arm, preventing Randalman from doing any damage.
Randalman is looking to advance position but Dead has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Randalman tries to hold on but Dead postures up.
Randalman really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Randalman wants to hold on but Dead pushes him away.

Dead is standing up, even though he is in mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dead jabs Randalman to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Dead fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Randalman manages to avoid it.

Randalman pushes Dead up against the cage in a clinch.
Dead is pressed up against the cage. Randalman has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Dead down to the mat. Dead avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Randalman fails with an attempt to clinch.

Randalman throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Dead tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Randalman is in Dead's guard.
Randalman trying to control but Dead is working from the bottom.
Randalman makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

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

Dead stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Randalman closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Randalman misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Dead.

Randalman jumps guard.
Randalman is trying to keep Dead in close.
Dead is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Randalman is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Dead would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Randalman has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dead can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Randalman throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dead trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Dead would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Randalman looking for a guillotine here but Dead defends easily.

Randalman working for a triangle but Dead defends it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Better Dead dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Randalman gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Dead looking to slow down the pace here.
Randalman jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Dead walks away with a smile on his face. Randalman gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
A shot to the body from Dead misses
letting Randalman counter with a right hand.
Randalman dives in and grabs Dead's left leg, looking for a takedown. Dead pushes down on Randalman's head and hops out.
A little feinted left hand from Dead on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Dead cracks Randalman with a right hand to the side of the head.

Randalman moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Randalman wants a takedown.
Better Dead has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Randy Randalman.
Randalman blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Dead is pressed up against the cage. Randalman has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Dead down to the mat. Dead avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Randalman slips under a jab from Dead.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Randalman has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Dead is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Randalman is working for takedown but Dead is calmly controlling the position for now.
Dead is trying to force a seperation but Randalman has the dominant position.
Dead is pressed up against the cage. Randalman has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Dead down to the mat. Dead avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Better Dead is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Randalman takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dead missing with a left hand there. Randalman was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Randalman tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Randalman is defended easily by Dead.
Dead cracks Randalman with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Dead throws the left hand but Randalman avoids the punch easily.
Randalman tries to clinch up but Dead circles away and keeps his distance.
Better Dead seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Randalman takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Randalman has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

It looks like Randy Randalman has been cut.

Randalman has managed to clinch.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dead has control of Randalman's left arm, preventing Randalman from doing any damage.
Randalman is looking to work some ground and pound but Dead has wrist control.
Dead is pulling down on Randalman's head to control his posture.
Randalman postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Randalman trying to control the position from guard on top but Dead is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Randalman looking to sit in guard and control but Dead gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Randalman looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Dead passes into side control.

Dead has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Randalman gets the takedown into side control.
Randy Randalman has got the better of the ground game so far.
Randalman is looking to take a break and control but Dead is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Dead is trying to buck Randalman off.

Randalman is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Dead is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Randalman working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Randalman swings around for an armbar but Dead sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Randalman's guard.
Dead wants to get up but he can't break Randalman's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Randalman looking for a sweep. Not yet Randalman, not yet.
Dead wants to stand but Randalman is controlling his posture from full guard.
Dead trying to control the position from guard on top but Randalman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dead is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Randalman working for a triangle but Dead defends it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Better Dead showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Dead has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Better Dead!
Better Dead made sure to mention his sponsor, Fantasy Threads in his post fight interview.