PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Crusty Pelican (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and River Greywar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Crusty Pelican could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to River Greywar's chin.

Pelican
vs
Greywar

155 cm
22
132 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

150 cm
23
130 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Determined

Cage Wars: Rocha Nutrition

TAKEDOWN ©

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Crusty Pelican!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, River Greywar!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Summer Carpenter and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Pelican with that takedown attempt.

Greywar closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Pelican blocks an elbow strike from Greywar.
Pelican managing to block the knees to the body from Greywar.
Pelican prevents a body shot from Greywar.
Greywar tries to land knees in the clinch but Pelican avoids the damage to the body.
Greywar looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Pelican trying to land knees to the body.
Greywar doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Greywar has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Pelican regains guard immediately.
Pelican keeping full guard, as Greywar tries to pass.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Pelican doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Greywar postures up in Pelican's guard and throws a big left but Pelican blocks it.

Pelican working for a triangle but Greywar defends it easily.

Pelican is looking for a triangle but Greywar pushes his legs off easily.
Pelican avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pelican looking for a sweep. Not yet Pelican, not yet.
Pelican striking off his back but it's not causing Greywar any problems.
Greywar postures up.
Greywar trying to control but Pelican is working from the bottom.
Greywar loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Pelican looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Greywar is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Greywar shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Pelican's guard.
Pelican avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pelican throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Greywar is looking to work some ground and pound but Pelican has wrist control.
Greywar trying to control but Pelican is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Greywar accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Pelican has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Greywar wants to pass the guard but Pelican is keeping the position.
Greywar postures up in Pelican's guard and throws a big left but Pelican blocks it.
Pelican keeping moving, preventing Greywar from controlling successfully.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Pelican wants to clinch

and Greywar counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Pelican is breathing heavily.
Greywar won't allow Pelican to sweep him here.
Greywar in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Greywar makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Pelican can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Greywar controls the pace.
Greywar in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Greywar trying to control but Pelican is working from the bottom.
Greywar slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Greywar is staying tight to Pelican's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Greywar throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pelican wants to control but Greywar postures up.
Pelican managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Greywar.
Greywar throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Greywar in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Pelican tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Greywar wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

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

Greywar has hold of one of Pelican's legs. Pelican is fighting the takedown attempt but Greywar gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Greywar with a nice head shot there.
Greywar is looking to work some ground and pound but Pelican has wrist control.
Greywar pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pelican is keeping the position for now.
Greywar throws and elbow that misses. Pelican uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Greywar's guard. Nice move by Pelican!
Greywar pulls Pelican in close to his closed guard and prevents Pelican from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Greywar throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Greywar looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Pelican trying to control but Greywar is working from the bottom.

Pelican drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Pelican jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Greywar wants to sweep but no luck.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Greywar connects with a single shot there.
Pelican misses with a takedown attempt

and Greywar counters with a takedown into side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Greywar remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Greywar working the ground and pound but Pelican is defending the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

River Greywar dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Greywar closes the distance and pushes Pelican back into the cage.

Greywar lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Greywar seems to be looking for submissions.
Greywar performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Pelican looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Pelican has hold of Greywar's hands but Greywar slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Greywar not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Greywar has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Pelican wants to control but Greywar is having none of it.

Greywar is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Pelican is surviving well by controlling Greywar's body position as best he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Greywar tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pelican holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Greywar tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Greywar lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Greywar landing strikes from the mount.
Greywar controlling from mount.
Greywar trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Greywar cracks Pelican with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Greywar with the ground and pound from mount.
Greywar looking to control and managing it successfully.
Greywar blocks Pelican's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pelican wants to control but Greywar is having none of it.
River Greywar has got the better of the ground game so far.
Greywar controlling the position easily from mount.
Greywar can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Pelican is looking to escape.
Pelican tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Greywar with the ground and pound from mount.
Pelican is squirming around, avoiding Greywar's attempts to control the action.
Pelican is bucking up trying to escape but Greywar cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Greywar trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Greywar landing shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Greywar scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Pelican?
Pelican working to try and regain half guard.
Pelican in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Pelican is squirming around, avoiding Greywar's attempts to control the action.
A nice elbow there by Greywar.
Greywar with good strikes from the mount here!
Greywar tries to control but Pelican wriggling away.
Greywar with good strikes from the mount here!
Greywar dominating with strikes here.
Pelican is in a horrible position here. Greywar smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Greywar working Pelican over with strikes here.
Greywar is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Pelican can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pelican wants to control but Greywar is having none of it.
Greywar can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Pelican is looking to escape.
Pelican in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

Greywar has hold of Pelican's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Pelican manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Greywar landing strikes, looking to finish!
Pelican in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

Greywar looking to secure an arm triangle but Pelican defends it well.
Greywar is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Greywar postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Pelican looks a forlorn figure.
Greywar is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Pelican can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

River Greywar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Pelican's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Greywar closes the distance and pushes Pelican back into the cage.

Greywar pulls guard successfully.
Pelican's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Pelican working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Pelican thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Pelican postures up in Greywar's guard and throws a big left but Greywar blocks it.
Greywar trying to keep a closed guard but Pelican is proving a slippery customer.
Pelican wanted to stand there but Greywar had control of the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Greywar can do anything to dispel that myth.

Greywar working for a triangle but Pelican defends it easily.
Greywar trying to keep a closed guard but Pelican is proving a slippery customer.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Greywar is looking for a triangle but Pelican pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Greywar is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Greywar tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Pelican thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Greywar is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Greywar escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Pelican gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Greywar looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Greywar has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Greywar trying to keep a closed guard but Pelican is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Greywar throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Pelican throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Greywar works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Greywar is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Greywar working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Pelican tries to roll over but Greywar keeps him under control.
Greywar lands with a punch from half guard.
Pelican avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Greywar.
Greywar content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Greywar lands strikes from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Greywar 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.
Greywar prevents Pelican from improving his position.
Greywar thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Pelican's head.
Greywar really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Pelican. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Greywar avoids the head kick by Pelican.

Greywar drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Greywar working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

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

Greywar thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Greywar is trying to ground and pound but Pelican uses the momentary lack of control by Greywar to regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Greywar works his foot free and advances to mount.
Greywar lands a heavy elbow.
Greywar with good strikes from the mount here!
Greywar working Pelican over with strikes here.
Pelican can't escape the position.
Greywar lands a big elbow.
Pelican wants to get back to his feet.
Greywar lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Greywar working away from the top, dropping strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

River Greywar really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Greywar closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Pelican to the mat! Pelican manages to get full guard.
Greywar wants to pass the guard but Pelican is keeping the position.
Greywar wants to control from the top but Pelican keeps moving.

Pelican escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Greywar gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Greywar wants to pass the guard but Pelican is keeping the position.
Greywar throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Greywar loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Pelican can't keep his opponent in guard - Greywar advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Greywar throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Greywar is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Pelican is just riding it out for now. Greywar eventually gives up the hold.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Greywar looks to land a strike but Pelican avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Greywar trying to control the position from guard on top but Pelican is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Greywar with a nice head shot there.
Greywar with a nice head shot there.

Pelican working for a triangle but Greywar defends it easily.
Greywar throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Pelican is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Pelican looking for a guillotine here but Greywar defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Pelican tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Greywar moves into the clinch.
Nice body punch from Greywar.
Pelican avoiding damage as Greywar throws knees to the body.
Greywar scores with a hook to the body.
Greywar missing with knees to the body.
Greywar looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Greywar lands an uppercut.
Greywar cracks Pelican with a nice body shot.
Greywar using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Greywar lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Pelican or not.

Greywar has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Pelican clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Greywar has the hooks in. Pelican is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Greywar lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Pelican just trying to survive but Greywar is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Greywar tightening his grip on Pelican, looking for the choke.
You can see the frustration on Pelican's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Greywar lands strikes to the head.
Greywar misses with a punch to the head.
Greywar controlling the position well here. Pelican rolled but Greywar kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Greywar lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Greywar.
Pelican breaks Greywar's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Pelican is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
Greywar looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Greywar's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Greywar wants to sweep but no luck.
Pelican being controlled here momentarily.
Pelican won't allow Greywar to sweep him here.
Greywar working a defensive guard here.
Greywar trying to strike off his back.
Greywar striking off his back but it's not causing Pelican any problems.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Pelican tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Greywar decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Pelican's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

River Greywar dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Pelican has his takedown stuffed

and Greywar counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A body shot lands from Greywar.

Greywar lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Greywar content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Pelican wants to improve his position but Greywar is controlling well.
Greywar seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pelican does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Greywar is nestled in close to Pelican, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Greywar thows a huge punch but Pelican dodges it nicely.
Greywar sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pelican defending well though.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Greywar perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Greywar seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Greywar closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Pelican to the mat! Pelican manages to get full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pelican looking to control.

Greywar avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Pelican has his foot on Greywar's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Greywar works his way back into a safe position though.

Greywar is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Greywar must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Pelican keeping moving, preventing Greywar from controlling successfully.
Pelican bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Greywar's guard.

Greywar has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pelican can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Greywar thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Greywar has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Greywar tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Greywar is trying to control the position but Pelican postures up.
Pelican passes Greywar's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Greywar tries to roll over but Pelican keeps him under control.
Pelican thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Greywar keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Greywar closes the distance and clinches.
Pelican avoids the elbow strike from Greywar, against the cage.
Pelican blocks an elbow strike.

Greywar has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Pelican uses from the top position.
Greywar 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.
Greywar preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Pelican preventing the sweep.

Greywar is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Greywar working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Pelican.
Greywar doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Crusty Pelican has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Greywar avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Greywar manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Pelican is trying desperately to improve position.
Pelican is bucking up trying to escape but Greywar cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Greywar lands a big shot there that rocks Pelican but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Greywar connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Pelican taking shots to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Greywar dominating with strikes here.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Greywar cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Greywar looking to finish Pelican with some ground and pound. This is bad for Pelican!
Greywar lands a big shot there that rocks Pelican but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Greywar looking to finish Pelican with some ground and pound. This is bad for Pelican!
Greywar working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Pelican is trying to escape the mount.
Greywar working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Pelican is desperately trying to improve his position but Greywar has a good base and remains in mount.
Greywar wants to control the pace but Pelican is squirming around nicely.
Greywar with a couple of short strikes.
Pelican is bucking up trying to escape but Greywar cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Greywar lands a nice shot to the head.
River Greywar is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The referee warns Pelican that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
River Greywar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Greywar 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 44:50
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 44:50
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 44:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... River Greywar! River Greywar retains his bantamweight title!