PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Raphael Couture (ranked 1666 p4p, 447 weight class) and Kael Gardener (ranked 0 p4p, 60 weight class). Kael Gardener will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Couture
vs
Gardener

183 cm
27
172
8 - 6 - 0

182 cm
20
175
9 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Raphael Couture!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kael Gardener!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Daniel Franklin and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gardener looks to score with a jab to the body but Couture is just out of range.
Couture definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Couture is looking to clinch but Gardener is avoiding it.
It seemed like Gardener was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Raphael Couture seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gardener circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gardener looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Couture moves in looking to clinch but Gardener pushes him off.
Gardener misses with a hook.
Couture tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Gardener connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

It looks like Raphael Couture has been cut.

Couture has closed the distance and engaged Gardener in a clinch.

Couture jumps into guard, dragging Gardener to the mat.
Gardener controlling from the top position.
Gardener must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Couture escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gardener gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Couture is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gardener is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardener is continuing to stall.

Couture looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Couture not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Couture looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gardener looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Couture being controlled here, momentarily.

Gardener avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gardener stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Couture swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gardener's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The adventures of Gardener the control monster continue. Boring.
Gardener really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Couture. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Couture is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Gardener frees his head nicely. Oh but Couture has switched to an armbar! Gardener is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:21 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Raphael Couture!