PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ben Howell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nate Emerson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Ben Howell has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Ben Howell seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Howell
vs
Emerson

180 cm
21
205 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

189 cm
21
208 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ben Howell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nate Emerson!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Bruno Hogan and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Howell shoots in for a takedown but Emerson shows good takedown defense.

Howell scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Howell is trying to work for a kimura but Emerson is defending well.
Emerson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Howell takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Emerson tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Emerson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Howell pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Emerson is keeping the position for now.
Emerson keeping moving, preventing Howell from controlling successfully.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howell wants to get back to full guard.
Howell is not content to let Emerson control the position.

Emerson is working for a submission of some sort.
Howell wants to get back to full guard.

Howell looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Emerson tries to stand but can't do so whilst Howell controls his leg.
Howell is looking for a sweep. Emerson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Emerson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Howell swats away the attempt to clinch by Emerson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Howell shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Emerson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Emerson working a defensive guard but Howell passes into half guard.
Howell is keen to just control but Emerson is a slippery customer.
Emerson trying to control here.
Howell wants to pass to mount but Emerson is defending the position.

Howell wants to work for an arm triangle but Emerson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Howell is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Emerson misses with a kick to the body.
Horrible takedown by Howell or perhaps it was just good defense by Emerson which made him look bad.
Howell missing with a left hand there. Emerson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Howell shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Howell was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Emerson tries to improve his position but Howell has taken his back! Howell has a choke - it's sunk in pretty tight... Will Emerson tap? No... maybe... yes! He's tapped! Howell pushes Emerson away and gets up to celebrate with his corner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:04 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ben Howell!