PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Greg Miller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raul Negrete (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Miller
vs
Negrete

180 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
18
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Greg Miller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Raul Negrete!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Tiny Johnson and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Miller fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Negrete misses with a double jab.

Negrete gets caught flat footed, as Miller shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Negrete is trying to keep Miller in close.
Negrete looking for a sweep. Not yet Negrete, not yet.
Miller with a flurry of punches that miss.
Miller trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Miller is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Negrete is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Negrete has escaped and now he's on top!
Miller throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Negrete on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Negrete tries to get out of the position.
Miller wants to sweep but no luck.
Miller might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Negrete wants to pass the guard but Miller is keeping the position.
Negrete trying to control the position from guard on top but Miller is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Negrete is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Miller can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Negrete controls the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Negrete throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Miller works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Miller is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Miller is breathing heavily.
Miller keeping moving, preventing Negrete from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Miller will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Negrete stuffs the takedown attempt from Miller. Miller gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Greg Miller. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Miller looks for a takedown but Negrete sprawls well.
Negrete swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Negrete misses with a double jab.
Miller shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Negrete as he avoids it easily.

Miller drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Negrete has momentary wrist control but Miller slips an elbow through the middle.
Negrete looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Miller slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Negrete is trying to control Miller's posture but Miller avoids it.
Miller lands a decent elbow from side control.
Miller cracks Negrete with a big elbow.

It looks like Raul Negrete has been cut.

Miller tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Miller landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Negrete is not content to let Miller control the position.
Miller scores with punches from side control.
Miller tries to move to mount but Negrete blocks the move with his legs.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Miller working the ground and pound from side control.

Miller is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Negrete knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
You can see the frustration on Negrete's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Negrete is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Miller off and has taken his back!
Miller wants to control his opponent's hands but Negrete gets his hands free.
Negrete scores with punches and elbows.
Negrete is looking to control Miller but Miller is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Miller rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Miller misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Miller looking for submissions off his back.
Negrete is keen to just control but Miller is a slippery customer.
Miller tries to get to full guard but Negrete has control of the leg.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Miller shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Negrete but Negrete pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Miller shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Negrete as he avoids it easily.
Miller closes this distance looking for a takedown but Negrete circles away.
Miller tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Negrete swivels and escapes.
Miller looks for a takedown but Negrete sprawls well.
Miller circles away from the clinch attempt.
Miller tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Negrete counters with a thumping low kick.
Greg Miller seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Miller swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Negrete counters with a left and a right that stings Miller.
Negrete swinging wilding here.
Miller fails with the takedown
and Negrete counters with a nice kick to the body.
Negrete throws a series of punches but Miller moves out of range.
Miller throws a leg kick but Negrete sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Miller is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Negrete.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Negrete throws a quick inside leg kick.
Miller tries for a takedown but Negrete circles away easily

and Negrete counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Raul Negrete will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Raul Negrete's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Miller shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Negrete counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Negrete trying to stall but Miller improves his position.
Negrete softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Negrete drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Miller manages to pull guard.
Negrete with a flurry of punches that miss.
Miller wants to sweep here but Negrete controlling him for the moment.
Miller is working hard here to advance position.
Negrete scoring with some ground and pound.
Negrete is stalling in the full guard.
Negrete content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Negrete scoring with punches to the head and body.
Negrete trying to control the position from guard on top but Miller is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Negrete is looking to work some ground and pound but Miller has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Negrete trying to control but Miller is working from the bottom.
Miller lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Negrete!
Negrete has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Negrete wants to hold on but Miller pushes him away.
Miller is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Negrete is wriggling around trying to escape.
Miller lands a heavy elbow.
Miller avoids the attempt from Negrete to control.
Negrete is trying desperately to improve position.
Negrete tries to lock up and control but Miller gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Negrete sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Negrete is looking to control Miller's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Negrete avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Negrete is doing well to control the position and prevent Miller from advancing to side control.
Miller prevents Negrete from improving his position.

Miller is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Negrete is just riding it out for now. Miller eventually gives up the hold.
Nice strikes from Miller there.
Negrete slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Miller lands a couple of digs.
Miller trying to control but Negrete is working from the bottom.
Greg Miller overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Negrete looking to hit a scissor sweep but Miller is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Negrete swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Miller thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Miller is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Miller stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Negrete swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Negrete fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Miller, pushing him back against the cage.
Negrete is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Miller wants to break the clinch but can't.
Negrete is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Negrete pressing his opponent against the cage.
Miller wants a takedown but no success here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Negrete tries to break the clinch but Miller is controlling the position.
Miller goes for a takedown in the clinch but Negrete prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Greg Miller. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Negrete looking to stall.
Miller wants a takedown but no success here.
Miller tries for a takedown but Negrete manages to get underhooks.
Miller drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Miller has had enough of the clinch but Negrete keeps him there for the moment.
Miller tries for a takedown. No joy.
Negrete keeps control of Miller as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Negrete wants a takedown but no success here.

Miller gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Negrete regains guard.
Negrete is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Negrete trying to control the position.
Miller has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Miller is looking to stand up but Negrete won't let him.
Miller postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Raul Negrete will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Raul Negrete's cut.
That's time! Miller's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Miller gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Negrete counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Miller chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Negrete can pounce on him.
Miller misses with a takedown

and Negrete counters with a nice double leg into side control. Miller won't be happy with that.
A lull in the action here.
Negrete lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Negrete lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Miller takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Miller is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Miller takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Miller is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Negrete's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Miller is refusing to be controlled, as Negrete sits in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Negrete prevents Miller from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Negrete is taking a breather. Miller says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Miller makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Miller.

Miller working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Negrete doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Negrete manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Miller looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Negrete stopping the sweep attempt from Miller.
Negrete missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller wants to sweep but no luck.
Negrete trying to control the position from guard on top but Miller is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Miller is on top in guard.
Miller postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Miller stopping the sweep attempt from Negrete.
Negrete is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Miller chips away with some ground and pound.
Miller tries to free his leg and advance position but Negrete is retaining full guard.
Miller passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Negrete struggling a bit here.
Negrete is looking for a sweep.
Negrete can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller working the head and body with strikes.
Negrete is looking for a sweep.

Miller is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Negrete has escaped the position, nice work there.
Negrete can't do much from the bottom here.

Miller is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Negrete is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Negrete is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Miller off and has taken his back!
Miller tries to escape the position.
Miller covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Miller tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Miller is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Negrete wants to control the pace but Miller is squirming around nicely.
Negrete sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Negrete trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Miller is looking to improve his position but Negrete isn't that keen on the idea.
Negrete can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Miller is looking to escape.
Miller is wriggling around trying to escape.
You get the feeling that Miller really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Negrete can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Miller is looking to escape.
Greg Miller has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Despite being in the dominant position, Raul Negrete just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Miller looks to throw a body kick
and Negrete counters with a one-two to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raul Negrete comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Negrete winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raul Negrete!