PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Butterworth (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Avan Strash (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Avan Strash will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Butterworth
vs
Strash

180 cm
23
212 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

175 cm
20
205 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Paul Butterworth!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Avan Strash!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Gwen Towbar and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Butterworth walks into a straight right hand from Strash.

Butterworth clinches up with Strash and pushes him back against the cage.
Strash prevents a takedown attempt there.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Butterworth manages to pull guard.
Butterworth pulls Strash in to control the position.
Strash really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Butterworth. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Strash trying to stand up but can't free himself from Butterworth's guard.
Butterworth working a defensive guard here.
Butterworth is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Strash is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Paul Butterworth has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Butterworth tries to close the distance and clinch up but Strash swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Strash slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Strash misses with a hook. Butterworth ducked under it nicely.
Strash defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Butterworth.
Strash getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Butterworth shoots in looking for a takedown but Strash manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Butterworth's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paul Butterworth. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Strash forces Butterworth back against the cage and clinches.
Butterworth misses with the head strike.
A right handed body shot lands from Butterworth.
Butterworth wants a takedown but no success here.
Strash tries to stall but Butterworth uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Strash manages to break the clinch.
Strash throws a right hand that Butterworth ducks under and follows up with a left that Butterworth also avoids with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Strash clinches up against the cage.
Butterworth drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Strash gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Butterworth gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Strash regains guard.
Butterworth tries to free his leg and advance position but Strash is retaining full guard.
Strash wants to stand and escape but Butterworth is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Strash avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Butterworth slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Strash keeping moving, preventing Butterworth from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Butterworth bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Strash is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Strash is not content to let Butterworth control the position.

Butterworth is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Strash knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Strash's face as Butterworth controls the position.
Sloppy strikes there by Butterworth.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Butterworth wants to lay and pray for a moment but Strash keeps working.
Butterworth takes a little break here. Strash wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Butterworth doesn't manage to clinch there - Strash circles away.

Strash tries to keep at a distance but Butterworth has taken the fight into the clinch.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Butterworth.
Butterworth blocking some punches.
Butterworth presses Strash against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Strash wants to stall.
Butterworth is trying to drag Strash to the mat but Strash just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Butterworth changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Strash fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butterworth throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Strash's waist but Strash gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Butterworth off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paul Butterworth. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice shot by Strash.
Paul Butterworth seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Decent striking displayed by Strash there.

Butterworth closes the distance and clinches.
Strash is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Strash wants to break the clinch but can't.
Stalling in the clinch from Strash.
Butterworth goes for a takedown in the clinch but Strash prevents it.
Butterworth can't get the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Butterworth is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Strash pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Butterworth blocks an uppercut.
Butterworth fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Butterworth tries a body shot but Strash blocks it.
Butterworth misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Butterworth can't find room to land a body shot as Strash controls the action.

Butterworth pulls guard.
Butterworth 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.
Butterworth is trying to control the position but Strash postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butterworth seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

We're going to have a standup here because Paul Butterworth wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Butterworth shoots in for a takedown but Strash shows good takedown defense.
Butterworth avoids a punch combination nicely.
Avan Strash is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Strash moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Butterworth takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Butterworth shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Strash defends it nicely.
Butterworth fails to land the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Butterworth on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Butterworth shoots in and bounces Strash off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Butterworth controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Strash keeping moving, preventing Butterworth from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Paul Butterworth will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Butterworth takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Butterworth shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Butterworth trying to control but Strash is working from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Butterworth accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Paul Butterworth wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Butterworth scores a takedown into full mount!
Paul Butterworth overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
You get the feeling that Strash really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Butterworth lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Butterworth with the ground and pound from mount.
Butterworth content just to control the position here.
Butterworth thowing shots but they're missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Butterworth tries to control but Strash wriggling away.

Butterworth moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Strash has worked his arm free - good work by Strash!
You can see the frustration on Strash's face as Butterworth controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butterworth is looking to take a break and control but Strash is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Butterworth controlling from side mount.
Paul Butterworth is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Strash wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Butterworth is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Strash's shoulder. That is not cool.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Paul Butterworth just wasn't active enough.
Strash displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Butterworth.
Butterworth throws a head kick that misses.

Butterworth shoots in and bounces Strash off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Butterworth advances to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Butterworth showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Butterworth, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 30:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Butterworth!