PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Haral Dir (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Prince Buckleberry (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckleberry is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Give Up The Funk. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Dir
vs
Buckleberry

181 cm
27
205 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

194 cm
21
215 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very strong

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

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 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Haral Dir!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Prince Buckleberry!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Bruno Hogan and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Buckleberry throws a leg kick
and Dir counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Buckleberry tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Buckleberry throws a leg kick that misses.
Buckleberry thumps Dir with a low kick.
Buckleberry is looking to chop away at Dir's legs.
Dir sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Dir is breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dir checks the leg kick.
Buckleberry throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Buckleberry scores with a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dir avoids the head kick by Buckleberry.
Buckleberry throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Dir.

It looks like Haral Dir has been cut.

Buckleberry forces Dir back against the cage and clinches.
Buckleberry landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Buckleberry throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Dir blocks it with crossed arms.
Buckleberry lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Buckleberry with a knee to the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Buckleberry.
Buckleberry crunches a lovely knee into Dir's ribcage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dir takes a knee to the side of the body.
Buckleberry looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Buckleberry unloads a knee to the mid-section. Dir lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Buckleberry dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Buckleberry connects with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Buckleberry.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Dir takes a knee to the side of the body.
Buckleberry lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Buckleberry lands a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Buckleberry.
Buckleberry lands a nice knee to the body.
Buckleberry lands a good knee to the midsection. Dir won't want to take too many of those.
Buckleberry is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Buckleberry.
Buckleberry lands a nice knee to the body.
Buckleberry lands a left hand that snaps the head of Dir backwards.
Buckleberry lands a nice knee to the body.
Buckleberry with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dir takes a knee to the side of the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Buckleberry obliges.
Buckleberry has Dir pressed against the cage.
The crowd are getting on Buckleberry's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Dir stalling in the clinch but Buckleberry improves position.
Buckleberry misses with a knee to the head.
Buckleberry tries to land knees in the clinch but Dir avoids the damage to the body.
Dir is looking to break free of the clinch but Buckleberry has double underhooks.
Buckleberry cracks Dir with a nice body shot.
Knees to the body from Buckleberry.
Buckleberry lands a knee to the body.
Buckleberry with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Buckleberry with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A knee to the head by Buckleberry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Buckleberry makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Buckleberry landing knees to the body.
Buckleberry lands a knee to the body.
Buckleberry scores with a knee to the head.
Dir avoiding damage.
Dir tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Buckleberry just stands there and leans against the cage.
Buckleberry misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Dir.
A knee to the head by Buckleberry.

Haral Dir's cut is getting worse.
Buckleberry with a knee to the head.
Buckleberry throws a knee to the head but misses.

Dir breaks from the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Buckleberry checks a low kick from Dir.
Buckleberry throws a head kick but Dir moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Prince Buckleberry dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Haral Dir's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Buckleberry throws a lazy head kick

and Dir counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Dir trying to control the position from guard on top but Buckleberry is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Buckleberry looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Dir wants to control from the top but Buckleberry keeps moving.
Buckleberry tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dir wants to control from the top but Buckleberry keeps moving.

We're going to have a standup here because Haral Dir wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Buckleberry throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Buckleberry closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dir wants to get back to striking at distance but Buckleberry won't allow it.
Dir fails to pull guard.
Buckleberry landing knees to the head.
Buckleberry scores with a knee to the head.
Buckleberry is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Buckleberry unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Buckleberry pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Buckleberry effectively controlling the action here.
Dir is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Buckleberry scores with a knee to the head.
Buckleberry tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Buckleberry lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Buckleberry tries a knee to the head but Dir blocks it.
Dir avoiding damage as Buckleberry throws knees to the body.
Prince Buckleberry seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Dir letting Buckleberry take a breather here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Buckleberry with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Buckleberry stalling in the clinch but Dir improves position.
Buckleberry scores with a knee to the head.
Buckleberry misses with the head strike.
Dir is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Buckleberry with a knee to the head.
Dir dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Buckleberry scores with a knee to the head.
Dir lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Dir as Buckleberry tries to tie him up.
Buckleberry throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Dir blocks it with crossed arms.
Dir tries for a takedown. No joy.
Dir has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Buckleberry is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Haral Dir. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dir taking a breather.
Buckleberry tries to land a knee to the head but Dir blocks with his arms.
Buckleberry with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Buckleberry keeps control of Dir as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Come on Dir - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Buckleberry tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Dir avoids it.
Buckleberry has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Dir is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Buckleberry working Dir over with knees to the body.
Buckleberry with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Dir blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Dir avoiding damage as Buckleberry throws knees to the body.
Buckleberry with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Buckleberry doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Buckleberry as Dir tries to tie him up.
Buckleberry stalling the fight.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Buckleberry throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Dir blocks it with crossed arms.
Dir is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Dir has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Buckleberry avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Buckleberry lands a nice knee to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Buckleberry.
Dir tries for a takedown but Buckleberry manages to get underhooks.
Buckleberry with a knee to the head.
Buckleberry tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Dir avoids it.
Dir takes a knee right on the jaw!
Buckleberry with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Buckleberry tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Dir holding his opponent close, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Prince Buckleberry showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Haral Dir's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Buckleberry throws the kick towards the body but Dir avoids it.
Buckleberry throws a low kick but Dir moves out of range easily.
Buckleberry throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Buckleberry rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

so Dir counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Buckleberry takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dir won't allow Buckleberry to sweep him here.
Buckleberry seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Dir wants to control from the top but Buckleberry keeps moving.
Dir is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buckleberry looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Haral Dir.

Buckleberry clinches up with Dir and pushes him back against the cage.
Buckleberry misses with a knee strike.
Buckleberry throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Dir blocks it with crossed arms.
Buckleberry looking to throw knees to the head but Dir is blocking nicely.
Dir avoiding damage as Buckleberry throws knees to the body.
Dir drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Buckleberry gets the underhooks and prevents it.

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.
Buckleberry throws a knee to the head but misses.
Buckleberry lands a good knee to the midsection. Dir won't want to take too many of those.
Buckleberry throws a knee to the head but misses.
Dir has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Buckleberry avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Buckleberry with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Buckleberry working Dir over with knees to the body.
Dir has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Buckleberry is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Haral Dir. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Buckleberry tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Dir wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Buckleberry has him pressed against the cage.
Buckleberry wants to stall.
Dir tries to score a body lock takedown but Buckleberry shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Buckleberry looking to throw knees to the head but Dir is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dir goes for a takedown in the clinch but Buckleberry prevents it.
Buckleberry with a knee to the head.
Dir is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Nice body punch from Buckleberry.
Buckleberry lands a good knee to the midsection. Dir won't want to take too many of those.
Dir takes a knee right on the jaw!
Dir managing to block the knees to the body from Buckleberry.

Dir breaks from the clinch.
Buckleberry misses with an attempted mid kick.
Buckleberry is looking to score with low kicks.
Prince Buckleberry is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Prince Buckleberry is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dir misses with a low kick.
Prince Buckleberry seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four 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.
Buckleberry fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Buckleberry thows a leg kick but Dir checks it

and Dir counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Buckleberry's guard now.
Dir trying to control but Buckleberry is working from the bottom.
Buckleberry is pulling down on Dir's head to control his posture.
Buckleberry's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Prince Buckleberry was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Buckleberry misses with a kick to the body

and Dir counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Haral Dir has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dir thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Buckleberry to regain full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Haral Dir showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Buckleberry 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 John Mangel scores the fight 27:29
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:29
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Prince Buckleberry!