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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Bobby Earl (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and AJ Styles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bobby Earl has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.
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183 cm
19
147 lbs
0 - 4 - 0 |
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171 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin |
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Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division. Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner. With a record of
0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bobby Earl! And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner. With a record of
1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, AJ Styles! The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Franklyn Lucas and Jonathan Paton.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway! Earl wants to clinch. Styles is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Earl's half guard. The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing. Earl tries to roll over but Styles keeps him under control. Earl avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Styles. Styles sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Earl defending well though. Styles has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan. Styles 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. Styles is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound. Styles seems to be looking for submissions.
Earl gets full guard. Earl trying to keep a closed guard but Styles is proving a slippery customer.
Styles with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal. Earl is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage. Styles sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Earl's guard.
That's one minute gone in the round. Earl wants to control but Styles is keeping busy.
Styles trying to mount his opponent but Earl defends it. The fighters are battling for position here. Earl manages to regain full guard. Nice work. Styles thows a big elbow that misses. Earl is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far. Styles works over Earl with some ground and pound from guard. Styles with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal. Styles loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry. Styles postures up in Earl's guard and throws a big left but Earl blocks it. Earl wants to get back to his feet but Styles is in a dominant position and won't allow it. Styles throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up. Styles swats away the attempt to clinch by Earl. Earl keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's two minutes gone in the round. My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer. Styles fails with a takedown attempt. Styles looks gassed! Earl tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Styles paws at him with a jab and circles away. Earl lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh. Earl tries to close the distance and clinch up but Styles swats him away and circles back towards the center. Earl closes the distance and clinches. Styles drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bobby Earl has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of AJ Styles. Earl avoiding damage.
Styles tries to score a body lock takedown but Earl shows good agility there to stay on his feet. Earl stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Earl is trying to trip Styles. He has hold of a leg but Styles is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Earl persists though and gets the takedown into guard. A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Earl accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand. The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Styles wants to sweep here but Earl controlling him for the moment. Earl really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape. Styles lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Earl! Earl is desperately trying to improve his position but Styles has a good base and remains in mount. Earl is working hard here to advance position. Styles avoids the attempt from Earl to control. Styles landing punches. Styles postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Earl looks a forlorn figure.
Styles avoids the attempt from Earl to control. Styles looking to finish Earl with some ground and pound. This is bad for Earl!
That's four minutes gone in the round. Styles lands a big elbow. Styles has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Earl's face.
Styles lands with some strikes. Earl working to try and regain half guard.
Styles landing strikes from the mount and Earl is in trouble! Styles working away from the top, dropping strikes. The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here. Styles working the ground and pound effectively.
Earl is writhing around trying to get back to his feet. A nice elbow there by Styles. Styles unloading with bombs! The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end. A nice elbow there by Styles. A nice elbow there by Styles. Styles scoring with strikes but Earl is staying in there. Styles fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
AJ Styles dominated that round. The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Styles looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Earl is fending him off so far but Styles persists. Nope, Earl circles away and we're back to standing. The fight moves into the clinch position. Earl prevents a takedown attempt there.
Earl prevents a body shot from Styles. A knee to the head by Earl.
Earl blocking some punches.
Styles wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Earl has him pressed against the cage. Styles can't get the takedown.
Bobby Earl has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of AJ Styles. Styles takes a knee right on the jaw!
A short right from Earl on the inside. Earl lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Styles wants to break free but Earl has control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Styles takes a knee right on the jaw!
Styles is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though. Earl manages to break the clinch.
Earl tries to clinch but Styles is having none of it. Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here. Earl shoots for a takedown but Styles saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily. Earl clinches with his opponent.
That's one minute gone in the round. Earl throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Styles blocks it with crossed arms. Earl trying to stall but Styles improves his position.
Styles looking for a takedown. Styles tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Earl avoids it. Earl prevents a takedown attempt there.
Earl connects with a knee to the head.
Earl breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat. Styles fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt. Styles feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position. Earl will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions. Styles throwing strikes from guard but Earl blocks nicely. Earl preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage. Styles preventing the sweep. Styles throws a big right hand that misses. Earl manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
That's two minutes gone in the round. Earl prevents Styles from getting the reversal. Earl looking to secure an arm triangle but Styles defends it well. Styles regains half guard. Styles works his way to full guard. Good work. Styles manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Earl tries to get back to half guard but can't. Styles scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Earl tries to hold on but Styles postures up.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Styles breaks from Earl's wrist control and lands an elbow. Earl tries to hold on but Styles pushes him away. Styles is landing with some decent strikes but Earl is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue. Earl is trying to escape the mount.
Styles is in the full mount, landing strikes. Styles connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Earl taking shots to the head. Styles postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Earl looks a forlorn figure.
AJ Styles has got the better of the ground game so far. Styles working Earl over with strikes here. Styles fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Styles lands with some strikes. Both fighters really going for it on the ground here! Styles throws some wild stikes that Earl manages to avoid easily.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Earl keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Styles with good strikes from the mount here! Styles looking to finish with strikes here!
Earl keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Styles landing shots from mount. Styles connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Styles throwing shots from mount but they're not landing. Styles unloads with some shots from mount but Earl bucks and avoids them well.
Earl is in all sorts of trouble here.
Styles working Earl over with strikes here. Earl wants to control but Styles is having none of it. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
AJ Styles showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards. 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!
Styles swats away the attempt to clinch by Earl. Styles misses with a takedown and Earl counters by clinching up. Earl tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Styles looking for a takedown. Earl manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back. Styles trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat. Styles working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage. Earl manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Styles manages to get himself to full guard.
Earl is looking to work some ground and pound but Styles has wrist control. Both fighters are breathing heavily. Earl drops back looking for a leg! Styles is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Styles manages to kick Earl off! Earl jumps back into Styles's guard. Styles manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Earl manages to get himself to full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round. Styles postures up and lands some nice ground and pound. Earl wants to stand and escape but Styles is having none of it. Earl is trying to control the position but Styles postures up. Styles makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard. Styles stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Earl swivels though and keeps the full guard. Styles keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Earl's head. Styles lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard. Styles is in close to Earl's body, working some short punches and elbows. Earl preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up. Earl has Styles up against the cage in a clinch.
Earl is trying to drag Styles to the mat but Styles just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's two 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. Earl working aggressively here.
Earl prevents the takedown attempt.
Bobby Earl has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of AJ Styles. Earl landing knees to the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Styles as Earl tries to tie him up. Styles drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Earl gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Both guys are working to get underhooks. Styles stops a takedown attempt from Earl.
Styles drops down looking for an ankle pick but Earl pulls his leg out and moves away.
Earl tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion. The fight stays on the outside here - Earl looks like he's thinking about clinching though. Styles shoots in but doesn't get the takedown and Earl counters by moving into the clinch.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Knees in the clinch landing for Earl.
Styles is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Earl pulls him back up using the underhooks. Styles takes a knee right on the jaw!
Styles has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate. Earl with a knee to the head.
Earl gets underhooks to prevent Styles's takedown attempt.
Earl is pushing Styles up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word. Styles takes a knee right on the jaw!
Styles is trying to break free. Earl lands a right hand. Styles takes a knee right on the jaw!
Styles trying to control the position but instead, Earl has worked for underhooks and has pushed Styles into the cage. Styles tries for a takedown. No joy.
Earl scores with a knee to the head.
Earl throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Styles blocks it with crossed arms.
That's four minutes gone in the round. My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer. Styles is working for takedown but Earl is calmly controlling the position for now. Earl with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head. Styles is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Earl is defending well for now. Earl landing knees to the head.
Earl changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Styles fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Styles looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard. Styles scores with a couple of good hammerfists. Styles stops Earl from getting back to his feet.
Nice strikes from Styles there. Styles seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime. Styles lands with a punch from half guard. Bobby Earl has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here! AJ Styles is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach. Styles is stalling here. Earl is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Styles seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Earl has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work. You can see the frustration on Styles's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
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 Bobby Earl. I think Styles 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29 Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:30 Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... AJ Styles!
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S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
63% |
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