PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Foul Play (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Pembelton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Play might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Simon Says-Pharaohe Monche. Pembelton has chosen Hail Mary by Tupac as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Frank Pembelton was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Play
vs
Pembelton

180 cm
22
181 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

177 cm
23
179 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

BioPharm Nutrition

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Foul Play!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frank Pembelton!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Alyssa Summers and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pembelton tries for a takedown but Play sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Pembelton shoots for a double leg takedown but Play sprawls well. He's pushed Pembelton's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Pembelton tries to score a power double leg takedown but Play sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Pembelton somewhat.
Foul Play has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Pembelton.
Play lands a slapping body shot.
A swing and a miss from Pembelton.
Pembelton will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Pembelton throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Play's waist but Play gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pembelton off to one side.
Play throws a jab when Pembelton was well out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Play darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Foul Play seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pembelton uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Play.
Play throws a leg kick which misses Pembelton's front leg but catches the back leg as Pembelton tries to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pembelton on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Play cracks Pembelton with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Play, as that shot connected.
Pembelton dives in and grabs Play's left leg, looking for a takedown. Play pushes down on Pembelton's head and hops out.
Play scores with a leg kick.
Play scores with a hook to the body. Pembelton takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Pembelton looks gassed!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Play throws a hook but Pembelton avoids it easily.
Pembelton blocks a leg kick.
Play looks to score with a jab to the body but Pembelton is just out of range.
Play throws a hook but Pembelton blocks it.
Pembelton fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Play displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pembelton.
Pembelton ducks under a wild hook from Play.
Play slips a jab from Pembelton.
Play throws a series of punches but Pembelton moves out of range.
Pembelton throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Play's waist but Play gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pembelton off to one side.
Play throws a big shot that misses.
Pembelton takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Play misses with a hook. Pembelton ducked under it nicely.
Pembelton is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pembelton shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Play napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Pembelton is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Play has escaped the position, nice work there.
Pembelton is trying to move to mount but Play reverses beautifully and ends up in Pembelton's guard.
Play in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Play showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Pembelton is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Play controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Pembelton working for a triangle but Play defends it easily.
Pembelton being controlled here, momentarily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Foul Play dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Play defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Pembelton.
Play tries to work over Pembelton's front leg with a kick but Pembelton checks it.
Pembelton looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Pembelton.
Foul Play has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Pembelton.
Play throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pembelton slips a jab and a cross from Play.
Pembelton misses with a looping right.
Pembelton tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Play was well out of range. Poor timing from Pembelton.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pembelton looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Play is fending him off so far but Pembelton persists. Nope, Play circles away and we're back to standing.
Play moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Pembelton drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Pembelton drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Play manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Pembelton has Play in his guard.
Play showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Play trying to control the position from guard on top but Pembelton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pembelton wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Play trying to stand up but can't free himself from Pembelton's guard.
Pembelton controlling Play's posture.
Play trying to move into half guard but instead Pembelton has managed to sweep!
Play lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Pembelton!
Play sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Pembelton is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Play trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Pembelton wants to control but Play is having none of it.
Play sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Pembelton working to try and regain half guard.

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.
Play scoring with strikes but Pembelton is staying in there.
Pembelton tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Play controlling his opponent.
Pembelton tries to hold on but Play postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pembelton is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Foul Play dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Pembelton shoots in but Play avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Pembelton moves out of range of the strikes.
Play misses with an uppercut. Pembelton saw that one coming.
Pembelton missing with a left hand there. Play was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Play uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Pembelton.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Play fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pembelton manages to avoid it.
Pembelton misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Play misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pembelton instigates a clinch.

Play escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pembelton slips a jab and a cross from Play.
Play takes a swing at Pembelton's ribcage but misses.
Play misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pembelton.
Play throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Foul Play is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pembelton is looking to clinch but Play is avoiding it.
Play connects with a crisp jab.
Pembelton dodges the punch combination from Play.

Pembelton closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Play did well to prevent Pembelton getting side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pembelton wants to pass the guard but Play is defending well.
Play is not content to let Pembelton control the position.
Pembelton might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Play kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Pembelton seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Play has recovered full guard.
Pembelton tries to free his leg and advance position but Play is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pembelton looking to sit in guard and control but Play gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Pembelton is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Pembelton takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Play is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Pembelton working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Play.
Play sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Pembelton's guard.
Play seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Pembelton wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Play wants to stand up but Pembelton is controlling the position.
Pembelton works his way to full guard. Good work.
Pembelton lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Play!
Pembelton throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Play because Pembelton loaded up on that one.
Foul Play is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Pembelton moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Play has worked his arm free - good work by Play!
Frank Pembelton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pembelton tries to advance to mount but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Foul Play.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Play, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:28
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:28
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Foul Play!