PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joe Foe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tad Ghostal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ghostal is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Good King Wenceslas. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Foe
vs
Ghostal

160 cm
28
149 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

183 cm
22
145 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Dangerous GnP
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

:: Happy Pills ::

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joe Foe!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tad Ghostal!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Steve Erwin and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ghostal moves out of range of the leg kick from Foe.
Foe lands a leg kick that knocks Ghostal off balance momentarily.

Foe drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Ghostal struggling a bit here.
An elbow from Foe crashes against the mat.
Foe landing strikes.
Foe scoring with punches from side control.
Ghostal dodges the ground and pound from Foe.
Foe in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Ghostal tries to buck Foe off but Foe is having none of it.
Ghostal can't do much from the bottom here.
Foe has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Foe trying to control the action but Ghostal is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Foe taking a break here but Ghostal is having none of it and regains half guard.
Foe is looking to take a break and control but Ghostal is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ghostal is trying to maintain the position but Foe is very close to passing his half guard.

Foe seems to be looking for submissions.
Foe seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ghostal does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

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.

Foe is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ghostal has managed to free his arm - good work.
Foe throwing shots but Ghostal is blocking nicely.

Foe is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Foe prevents Ghostal from standing back up.
Foe looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ghostal moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Foe tries to stand but Ghostal is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Foe wants to control from the top but Ghostal keeps moving.
Foe not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Ghostal working a defensive guard here.
Foe is looking to work some ground and pound but Ghostal has wrist control.
Ghostal wants to sweep but no luck.

Ghostal looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Ghostal is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Foe scoring with punches to the head and body.

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.
Foe throws a big right hand that misses.
Foe makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Foe working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Foe drops back, looking for a kneebar! Ghostal looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Ghostal looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Ghostal!
Foe wants to control but Ghostal postures up.
Foe might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Ghostal is looking to take a break and control but Foe is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Foe regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Foe dominated that round.
That's time! Foe's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Foe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Ghostal counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

It looks like Joe Foe has been cut.
Joe Foe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Foe with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ghostal counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Foe changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ghostal tries to avoid it but Foe manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ghostal to the ground. Ghostal escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Foe changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ghostal tries to avoid it but Foe manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ghostal to the ground. Ghostal escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Foe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ghostal throws a leg kick
and Foe counters with a low kick, right behind Ghostal 's knee.
Joe Foe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Foe shoots for a double leg takedown but Ghostal sprawls well. He's pushed Foe's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ghostal swings for the body but Foe moves out of range.
Foe closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ghostal circles away.

Foe looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Foe throwing strikes from guard but Ghostal blocks nicely.
Foe won't allow Ghostal to get back to his feet.
Ghostal 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.
Ghostal is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Foe wants to control from the top but Ghostal keeps moving.
Foe throwing strikes but missing.
Ghostal is trying to control the position but Foe postures up.

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.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Foe looking to sit in guard and control but Ghostal gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Foe trying to strike off his back.
Foe is trying to keep Ghostal in close.

Ghostal got a little sloppy there for a moment and Foe has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ghostal has managed to get both his arms back between Foe's legs - danger averted.
Ghostal postures up.

Ghostal avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Foe is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal wants to control from the top but Foe keeps moving.

Foe looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Ghostal has picked Foe up and slammed him! Foe can't keep hold of the triangle and Ghostal manages to pass to side control!
Ghostal lands a nice forearm strike.
Ghostal is looking to take a break and control but Foe is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Foe is looking to reverse the position.
Ghostal working the head with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Foe is trying to get back to half guard.
Ghostal trying to control the action but Foe is working from the bottom.
Foe taking a bit of punishment here - Ghostal scoring with strikes.
Ghostal wants to control but Foe is keeping him busy.
Foe tries to improve position but can't.
Ghostal has control of an arm but Foe manages to advance to Ghostal's back!
Foe is trying to stick to Ghostal's back but Ghostal is turning into Foe. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Foe's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Ghostal.
Ghostal with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ghostal trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ghostal sitting in guard here, content to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tad Ghostal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joe Foe's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ghostal throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Foe drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ghostal tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Foe passes Ghostal's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Foe wants to free his trapped foot but Ghostal is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Foe tries to stand and escape but Ghostal is controlling the position.

Ghostal looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Ghostal is defending against the submission attempts here by Foe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Foe prevents Ghostal from improving his position.
Ghostal regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Foe.

Foe avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Foe accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Foe looking to sit in guard and control but Ghostal gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ghostal trying to control the position from guard on top but Foe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Foe looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Ghostal passes into half guard.
Ghostal stops Foe from getting back to his feet.
Ghostal working the head and body with strikes.
Foe trying to control but Ghostal postures up.
Ghostal thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ghostal not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Foe actively working from the bottom here.
Ghostal looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Foe strikes from the bottom but Ghostal passes into mount!
Ghostal can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Foe is looking to escape.
Foe is in a horrible position here. Ghostal smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Foe wants to control but Ghostal is having none of it.
You get the feeling that Foe really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Foe tries to reverse the position but Ghostal maintains control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Foe is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Foe is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Ghostal is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ghostal blocks Foe's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Foe wants to control but Ghostal is having none of it.
Ghostal sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Ghostal can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Foe is looking to escape.
Foe flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ghostal pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tad Ghostal really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Foe's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Foe shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ghostal but Ghostal pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nice takedown defense from Ghostal. No joy for Foe on that attempt.
A low kick from Foe is predictable there
and Ghostal counters with a good, hard body kick but Foe shrugs it off.
Ghostal connects with a body shot.
Foe keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Foe on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Foe takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Foe throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ghostal makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Foe walks into a straight right hand from Ghostal.
Ghostal misses with the combination.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Foe is defended easily by Ghostal.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Foe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ghostal pivots, looking for a leg kick but Foe is out of range and Ghostal settles back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Foe wants to slow Ghostal down by chopping away at his legs.
Foe checks a leg kick.
Foe shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ghostal defends it nicely.
Ghostal is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Foe scores a takedown into full mount!
Foe lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Ghostal regains half guard.
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.
Ghostal trying to control but Foe postures up.
Foe seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Ghostal trying to control from the bottom.
Ghostal has hold of Foe's hands but Foe slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ghostal avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Foe.
Foe trying to control from Ghostal's half guard. Ghostal has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Foe postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Foe passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Foe is trying to get an arm triangle but Ghostal is defending well.
Foe is chipping away with strikes.
Joe Foe overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Foe throwing strikes but Ghostal manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Foe manages to work his way to half guard, despite Ghostal's best efforts.
Foe trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tad Ghostal dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Joe Foe's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Ghostal leaves Foe with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Foe throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ghostal's waist but Ghostal gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Foe off to one side.
Foe ducks under a wild hook from Ghostal.
Ghostal stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Foe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ghostal tests Foe's chin there with a solid looking shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Foe with a poor takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Ghostal is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Foe shoots in but no luck this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghostal stuffs the takedown attempt from Foe. Foe gets slowly back to his feet.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Ghostal throws a front kick aimed at Foe's knee but Foe avoids it well.
Ghostal swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ghostal connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Ghostal cracks Foe with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Ghostal connects with a looping right hand.
Foe doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ghostal counters with an inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal misses with a body shot.
Foe avoids the body shot from Ghostal.
Ghostal uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Foe shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ghostal as he avoids it easily.
Foe shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ghostal pinned against the cage. Ghostal gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ghostal scores with a nice body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Tad Ghostal seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Foe with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Ghostal counter with a right hand.
Ghostal attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Foe is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ghostal sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Foe closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ghostal circles away.
Foe blocks a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Foe.
Ghostal is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Foe's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Ghostal regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Foe.
Foe postures up.

Ghostal looking for a triangle here. Foe is fighting it but it looks tight! Ghostal pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Foe is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Tad Ghostal! Tad Ghostal retains his featherweight title!