PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ephraim Goodweather (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brett Yelton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Goodweather comes to the cage accompanied by Alkaline Trio - Private Eye. Yelton comes into a darkened arena with his song building. "My Life" - The Game kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Goodweather
vs
Yelton

186 cm
24
185 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

178 cm
23
185 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Australian Xtreme - NEW 159 Energy!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ephraim Goodweather!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Brett Yelton!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Hugh Johnson and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yelton tries to clinch up.

Goodweather closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Yelton did well to prevent Goodweather getting side control.
Goodweather seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Yelton looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Yelton looking for submissions off his back.
Yelton tries to roll over but Goodweather keeps him under control.
Goodweather stalling away here and it's allowed Yelton to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

Yelton looking for subs off his back but Goodweather has passed one foot through into half guard.
Goodweather throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Goodweather is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Yelton defends it well.
Yelton manages to get to full guard.
Yelton keeping moving, preventing Goodweather from controlling successfully.
Goodweather looking to pass the guard.
Yelton manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Goodweather manages to get himself to full guard.
Yelton preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two 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.

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

Goodweather looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
You can see the frustration on Yelton's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Yelton takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Yelton is trying to control Goodweather's posture but Goodweather avoids it.
Yelton might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Goodweather kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yelton is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Yelton controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Goodweather wants to pass to mount but Yelton is defending the position.
Yelton is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Goodweather's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Goodweather's back!
Goodweather tries to roll but Yelton sticks to his back.
A lull in the action here.
Goodweather is really stuck here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Yelton working for the choke.
Goodweather rolls, trying to escape but Yelton keeps control of the position.

Yelton goes for a risky armbar from back mount and it's not paid off. Goodweather escapes and is now in half guard on top.

Yelton actively working from the bottom here.

Yelton looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ephraim Goodweather will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Yelton shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Yelton was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Goodweather is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Yelton has hold of Goodweather's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Goodweather manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Yelton wants to control the pace but Goodweather is squirming around nicely.

Yelton goes for an armbar but Goodweather turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Goodweather.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yelton looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Yelton is breathing heavily.
Goodweather postures up in Yelton's guard and throws a big left but Yelton blocks it.

Goodweather thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Goodweather lands a couple of elbows.
Yelton tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Yelton preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Yelton is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Goodweather is aware though and is defending well.
Goodweather preventing the sweep.
Goodweather has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Goodweather accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Goodweather accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Yelton is trying to control the position from the bottom.

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

Goodweather pushes Yelton up against the cage in a clinch.
Goodweather using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Yelton has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Yelton ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Yelton no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Yelton has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Goodweather can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Goodweather looking to pass the guard.
Goodweather controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yelton is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Goodweather is looking to work some ground and pound but Yelton has wrist control.
Goodweather is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Yelton 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.
Goodweather trying to control but Yelton is working from the bottom.

Yelton working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Goodweather doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Goodweather manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Yelton looking for subs off his back but Goodweather has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Goodweather looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Goodweather is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Yelton reverses the position - he's now on top in Goodweather's guard.

Yelton drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Goodweather manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Yelton has Goodweather in his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Brett Yelton will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Yelton.
Goodweather tries to control but Yelton manages to take his back.

Yelton is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Goodweather has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Yelton is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Yelton takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Yelton is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Goodweather knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Goodweather for a finish.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goodweather trying to control the position but Yelton manages to sink in the hooks.
Goodweather breaks Yelton's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Goodweather throws a big right hand that misses.

Yelton is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Goodweather wants to control from the top but Yelton keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Yelton looking for a sweep. Not yet Yelton, not yet.
Goodweather lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Yelton wants to sweep but no luck.
Yelton is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Goodweather stands up over Yelton, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Goodweather avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Goodweather makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Goodweather lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yelton trying to control the position.
Goodweather thows a big elbow that misses.

Yelton is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Goodweather is aware though and is defending well.
Goodweather keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Yelton's head.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Goodweather's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Goodweather trying to control the position from guard on top but Yelton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Goodweather avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Goodweather postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Yelton working for a triangle but Goodweather defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goodweather trying to control but Yelton is working from the bottom.
Goodweather connects with a couple of short punches.

Yelton has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Goodweather is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Yelton.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Brett Yelton comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Yelton has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brett Yelton!