PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Amadeus Astra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Whissell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Astra might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Once in a Lifetime. Whissell has chosen Rose Of Sharon as his entrance music. Amadeus Astra has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Astra
vs
Whissell

175 cm
28
162 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

177 cm
29
160 lbs
24 - 12 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Amadeus Astra!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, George Whissell!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Gregory Folan and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Whissell tries for a takedown but Astra circles away easily
and Astra counters with a stiff right hand.
Whissell connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A jab lands there for Whissell.
Whissell tries to work over Astra's front leg with a kick but Astra checks it.
Astra displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
A looping hook to the body misses from Astra. Whissell does a little dance to reset his feet.
Astra swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Astra bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Whissell moves away from the strike by Astra.
Whissell connects with a solid leg kick.
Astra staying out of range there.

Whissell shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Whissell is keen to just control but Astra is a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Whissell is thwarting Astra's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Astra is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Astra wants to control but Whissell is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ground and pound from Whissell.
Astra wants to improve his position but Whissell is controlling well.
Astra is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Whissell's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Whissell's back!
Astra has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Whissell.
Whissell rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Whissell blocking the ground and pound attempt from Astra.
Astra prevents Whissell from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whissell is refusing to be controlled, as Astra sits in half guard.

Whissell looking for submissions off his back.
Whissell landing strikes from the bottom.
Astra content to control rather than advance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Whissell trying to control but Astra postures up.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Astra missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Whissell wants to control but Astra is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Astra thows a huge punch but Whissell dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Astra working the head and body with strikes.
Astra 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.
Whissell trying to control here.

Whissell looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Whissell looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Astra looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Astra sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Whissell defending well though.
Astra seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Whissell does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Astra lands a nice short elbow.
Astra 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.
Astra thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Whissell's head.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Astra lands a nice short elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Astra landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Astra lands with a punch from half guard.
Whissell wants to control but Astra is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Whissell won't allow Astra to pass to mount.
Astra missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Astra working the head and body with strikes.
Astra wants to lay and pray for a moment but Whissell keeps working.
Whissell trying to control from the bottom.
Astra trying to control the action but Whissell is working from the bottom.
Astra is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Whissell is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Astra lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Astra looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Whissell with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Astra 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amadeus Astra dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Astra blocks a jab.
Whissell tries a head kick but it misses.
Astra misses the jab.
Astra lands a jab to the nose.
Whissell misses with an attempted mid kick.
Astra fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Whissell on the side of the head.
Astra scores with a nice strike.
Whissell throws a hook but Astra blocks it.
George Whissell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Whissell walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Astra takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Whissell shoots for a double leg takedown but Astra sprawls well. He's pushed Whissell's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Whissell shoots for a takedown but Astra saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Astra throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Whissell throws a lazy right hand but Astra sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Amadeus Astra is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Astra fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Whissell manages to avoid it.
Whissell shoots in but no luck this time.
Amadeus Astra has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George Whissell.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Astra tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Whissell paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Astra will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Astra doesn't manage to clinch there - Whissell circles away.
Astra wants to clinch.
Astra blocks a leg kick.
Astra misses the shot to the body.
Whissell scores with a nice strike.
The fight stays on the outside here - Astra looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Astra scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Whissell doesn't seem bothered though.
Whissell keeps the fight on the outside.
Astra uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Whissell.
Whissell throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Astra stalks Whissell and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Whissell's face. Whissell staggers backwards, shaken.
Astra displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Whissell throws out the jab.
Astra thows a left - swing and a miss!
Astra swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Whissell.
Whissell lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Astra circles away quickly and effectively.
Astra wants to clinch.
Whissell misses with a lunging right hand
and Whissell takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Astra will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Astra misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Whissell.
Whissell misses the jab.

Astra gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Astra pushes Whissell back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Astra misses with a hook to the ribs.

Whissell breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Whissell uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Astra.
Whissell catches Astra with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Amadeus Astra is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whissell throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Astra lands with a nice combination. Whissell backs away looking to recover.
Whissell throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Astra sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Whissell swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A left and a right from Astra both land. Nice combination.
Whissell throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Astra's waist but Astra gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Whissell off to one side.
Astra jabs Whissell right on the nose. Whissell blinks but takes it well.

Whissell is rocked!
Donk. Astra catches Whissell right on the button with a cross.
Whissell is still on wobbly legs! Can Astra finish him?
Whissell takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Whissell circles away from the clinch attempt.
Whissell throws a half hearted mid kick.
Astra throws a jab when Whissell was well out of range.
No joy there for Astra, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Astra swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Whissell seems to have recovered his senses.
Astra swings for the body but Whissell moves out of range.
Jab from Whissell.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A punch lands to the side of Whissell 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Whissell misses with a wild body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Astra tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Whissell manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Whissell wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Astra tries to move into range but Whissell moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Astra connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Astra tries to close the distance and clinch up but Whissell swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Astra misses the shot to the body.
Astra misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Whissell.
Astra uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Whissell.
Whissell looks to land a body kick but Astra moved away.
Astra loads up on a big right hand but Whissell slips the punch.
Whissell throws a jab when Astra was well out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Whissell misses with a straight left.
Whissell jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Astra is looking to clinch but Whissell is avoiding it.
Astra fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amadeus Astra dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Whissell cracks Astra with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Whissell fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Astra avoids it really well and circles away.
Astra shoots in but Whissell avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Whissell bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Astra's head backwards.
Whissell avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Whissell fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Astra is out of range.
Whissell lands a really nice looking cross but Astra seems unphased.
Whissell fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Astra manages to avoid it.
Astra jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Astra throws out a loose jab but Whissell uses good head movement to avoid it.
Astra closes the distance and clinches up with Whissell, looking for a takedown. Astra pushes Whissell against the cage but Whissell circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whissell misses with a hook to the body
and Astra counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Whissell closes this distance looking for a takedown but Astra circles away.
Whissell displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Astra throws out the jab.
Whissell slips a straight right by Astra.
Astra ducks under a wild hook from Whissell.
Jab, jab by Astra - just one landing.

Astra darts in and clinches Whissell up against the cage.
Astra is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A right handed body shot lands from Astra.
Astra stalling.
Whissell is trying to break the clinch but Astra has him pressed against the cage.
Astra misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Whissell avoids a wild elbow strike from Astra.
Astra working aggressively here.
Whissell throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Astras head.
Whissell is looking to break free of the clinch but Astra has double underhooks.
Astra just leaning against Whissell, taking a breather.
Whissell tries to pull guard but Astra won't allow it.
Amadeus Astra has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George Whissell.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Whissell breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Whissell avoids the body shot from Astra.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Astra moves into the clinch.
Astra drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Whissell gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Astra blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Whissell tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Astra smiles and moves away.

Astra forces Whissell back against the cage and clinches.
Astra misses with a hook to the ribs.
Astra lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Astra lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Whissell is looking to break free of the clinch but Astra has double underhooks.
Astra scores with a hook to the body.
Astra has Whissell pressed against the cage, preventing Whissell from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Whissell blocks an elbow strike from Astra.
Whissell takes a knee to the side of the body.
Whissell takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Whissell has picked Astra up - he's going for a ride! Whissell dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Astra manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Astra controls Whissell momentarily but Whissell frees himself.
Astra working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Whissell.

Astra looking for a guillotine here but Whissell defends easily.
Astra bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Whissell's guard.
Astra keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Whissell's head.
Astra thows a big elbow that misses.
Whissell can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Astra controls the pace.
Astra makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
George Whissell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Amadeus Astra is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Astra pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Whissell is keeping the position for now.
Whissell is trying to keep Astra in close.
Astra with a flurry of punches that miss.
Astra is stalling in the full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Astra wants to control from the top but Whissell keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Whissell working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Astra doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Astra manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Whissell throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Amadeus Astra showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Astra has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Amadeus Astra!