PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Freddie Venus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eric Haiku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Haiku has chosen Seek and Destroy as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Venus
vs
Haiku

185 cm
22
226 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
18
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Freddie Venus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Eric Haiku!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Venus. No joy for Haiku on that attempt.
Haiku misses with a looping right.

Venus clinches with his opponent.
Venus scores with a shoulder strike.
Haiku is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Venus lands a right hand that snaps the head of Haiku backwards.
Venus lands a body punch in the clinch.
Haiku tries to pull guard but Venus won't allow it.
Venus lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Haiku.
Venus works on Haiku's body with a couple of short punches.
Haiku looks gassed!
A right hook to the body lands for Venus.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Venus digs a right hand into Haiku's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Haiku's gas tank.
Haiku fails to pull guard.
Freddie Venus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Haiku.
A left hand lands to the body for Venus.
Venus lands with a right to the head.
Venus makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Venus as the two fighters clinch.
Venus digs a right hand into Haiku's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Haiku's gas tank.
Venus lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Haiku backwards.
Haiku gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Venus.
Venus is leaning against Haiku and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A body shot lands from Venus.

Venus decides to pull guard.
Haiku trying to control but Venus is working from the bottom.
Haiku lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Venus manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Haiku manages to get himself to full guard.

Haiku working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Venus doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Venus manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Venus content to stall in guard here.
Venus trying to control but Haiku is working from the bottom.
Haiku wants to sweep here but Venus controlling him for the moment.
Venus loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Venus with a flurry of punches that miss.
Venus trying to control but Haiku is working from the bottom.
Venus lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Venus wants to control from the top but Haiku keeps moving.

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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Venus looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Eric Haiku seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Venus moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Venus tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Haiku paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Venus lands with a right hand.
Venus tries to clinch but Haiku is having none of it.
Haiku shoots in for a double leg but Venus sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Haiku throws a body kick the misses
and Venus counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Venus lands a nice looking body kick.

Venus clinches.
Haiku is trying to maintain a safe position but Venus gets an underhook and turns Haiku into the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Venus.
Haiku looks to throw an elbow but misses.
with the fighters clinched against the cage, Venus creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Venus lands a jab-cross combination.

It looks like Eric Haiku has been cut.
The fight stays on the outside here - Venus looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Haiku gets a takedown into half guard.

Venus is defending against the submission attempts here by Haiku.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Venus tries to roll over but Haiku keeps him under control.
Venus might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Haiku is tying to control. Venus wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Venus is trying to stand back up but Haiku is controlling him
Haiku trying to control from half guard but Venus is working away.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Venus thuds his shin into the meat of Haiku's side.

Venus pushes Haiku up against the cage in a clinch.
Venus throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Haikus head.
A short body shot lands from Venus as the two fighters clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Venus.
Haiku can't break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Venus lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Haiku or not.
Haiku fails to pull guard.
Haiku fails to pull guard.

Haiku pulls guard.

Venus avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Haiku keeping moving, preventing Venus from controlling successfully.
Haiku is trying to keep Venus in close.
Venus works over Haiku with some ground and pound from guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Haiku is trying to keep Venus in close.

Haiku looking for a guillotine here but Venus defends easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Venus trying to control but Haiku is working from the bottom.
Haiku is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Freddie Venus dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Eric Haiku's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Venus wants to clinch up but Haiku keeps it at a distance.
Haiku shoots and misses

and Venus counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Venus lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Haiku or not.
A nice right hand lands inside from Venus.
Haiku doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Haiku wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Venus has him pressed against the cage.
Venus digs a right hand into Haiku's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Haiku's gas tank.
Haiku tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Venus smiles and moves away.
Haiku with a poor takedown
and Venus counters with a left and a right that stings Haiku.
Freddie Venus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Haiku.
Venus moves in looking to clinch but Haiku pushes him off.
Venus punishes Haiku's body with a nice straight punch.
Nice body kick from Venus.
Venus is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Haiku can do to turn this around?
Venus tries to clinch up but Haiku circles away and keeps his distance.
Haiku tries for a takedown but Venus sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Haiku tries for a takedown but Venus circles away easily
and Venus counters with a body kick.
Haiku looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Haiku feints and as Venus raises his hands in defense, Haiku changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Haiku controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Haiku is looking to work some ground and pound but Venus has wrist control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Venus looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Haiku trying to control but Venus is working from the bottom.
Haiku postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Haiku gets to his feet - Venus follows without any prompting.
Venus tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Haiku changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Venus tries to avoid it but Haiku manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Venus to the ground. Venus escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Haiku closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Haiku lands in his opponent's guard.
Haiku wants to control from the top but Venus keeps moving.
Venus looking for a sweep. Not yet Venus, not yet.
Haiku stops Venus from standing up.
Venus has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Haiku has passed into side control.
The ground and pound from Haiku seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Venus is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Haiku's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Venus wants to control but Haiku is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Venus manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Haiku being controlled here momentarily.
Haiku trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Venus 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.

Haiku thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Venus looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Venus controls Haiku momentarily but Haiku frees himself.
Haiku pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Venus is keeping the position for now.
Haiku thows a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Venus is looking to clinch but Haiku is avoiding it.
Haiku with a poor takedown
and Venus counters with a straight right hand.
Haiku shoots in for a double leg but Venus sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Haiku avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Venus tries to clinch but Haiku moves out of range.
Haiku tries for a takedown but Venus sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Haiku with a lazy takedown attempt
and Venus counters with a one-two to the body.
Haiku looks for a takedown but Venus sprawls well.
Venus tries to clinch up.
Venus uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Haiku.
Freddie Venus is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Venus fails in his attempt to clinch.
Haiku throws a head kick that misses.

Haiku gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Venus makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Haiku is looking for a triangle but Venus pushes his legs off easily.
Haiku not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haiku looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Venus won't allow Haiku to get back to his feet.
Haiku not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Venus stopping the sweep attempt from Haiku.

Haiku is looking for a triangle but Venus pushes his legs off easily.

Haiku is looking for a triangle but Venus pushes his legs off easily.
Venus loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Haiku misses with a body kick.
Venus is looking to clinch but Haiku is avoiding it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Haiku doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Venus counters with a series of strikes. Haiku will be more careful next time no doubt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Haiku shoots in and drives through. Venus sprawls well.
Haiku shoots in but Venus avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Venus gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Freddie Venus dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Eric Haiku's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Venus tries to close the distance and clinch but Haiku swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Venus misses with a series of wild punches.
Haiku looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Venus is fending him off so far but Haiku persists. Nope, Venus circles away and we're back to standing.

Haiku gets the takedown into side control.
Venus takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Venus is looking to regain half guard here but Haiku keeps moving and retains side control.
You can see the frustration on Venus's face as Haiku controls the position.
Venus is trying to get back to half guard.
Venus is not content to let Haiku control the position.
Eric Haiku has got the better of the ground game so far.

Haiku swings around for an armbar but Venus sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Haiku's guard.

Haiku working for a triangle but Venus defends it easily.
Haiku controlling Venus's posture.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Venus thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Haiku is on top in guard.
Venus trying to keep a closed guard but Haiku is proving a slippery customer.
Haiku advances to half guard.
Venus wants to get back to full guard.
Venus wants to control but Haiku is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Haiku throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Haiku blocks the strikes from Venus.
Venus wants to control but Haiku is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Haiku is looking to clinch.

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.
Venus is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Venus closes the distance looking to clinch

and Haiku counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Venus is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Haiku trying to control but Venus is working from the bottom.
Venus working a defensive guard here.
Haiku wants to control from the top but Venus keeps moving.
Venus tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Haiku works over Venus with some ground and pound from guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Venus is on top in guard.
Venus tries to free his leg and advance position but Haiku is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Venus is looking to advance position but Haiku has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Venus manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Venus is trying to stand back up but Haiku is controlling him
Venus is trying to control but can't.

Haiku wants to work for an arm triangle but Venus is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Venus manages to get to full guard.
Venus looking for a sweep. Not yet Venus, not yet.

Haiku drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Haiku jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Venus is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Haiku passes Venus's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Venus wants to control but Haiku is keeping busy.
Haiku with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Venus throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Haiku prevents Venus from standing back up.
Haiku seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Venus does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Venus has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Haiku is working away from the top position though.
Venus is refusing to be controlled, as Haiku sits in half guard.
Venus wants to control but Haiku passes into side.
Haiku trying to control the position but Venus is working away.
Eric Haiku has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Venus tries to clinch up.
Freddie Venus is winning the standup battle so far.
Venus changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Haiku tries to avoid it but Venus manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Haiku to the ground. Haiku escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Haiku fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eric Haiku comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Venus has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Suge Night scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Freddie Venus!