PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ben Backman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dave Gers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gers has chosen The Trooper by Iron Maiden as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Backman
vs
Gers

184 cm
24
220 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

184 cm
25
219 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

GTI - 1337 sponsors VERSUS

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 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Ben Backman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Dave Gers!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Daniel Bishop and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Backman lands with a hook. Gers tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Gers throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Backman tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Gers is in Backman's guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Backman wriggles free and stands up.
Gers misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Backman counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Gers shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Backman lunges at Gers with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Gers's hand.
Backman leaves Gers with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Backman lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gers throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Backman misses with an uppercut.
Backman lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Gers uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Backman.
Gers throws a body punch but Backman moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Gers.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Backman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gers throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Backman throws a right and a left that both miss.
Backman throws a right and a left that Gers avoids nicely.
Backman jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Backman throws an overhand right that lands on Gers's shoulder, as Gers tries to avoid the shot.

Gers gets the takedown into side control.
Gers taking a break here but Backman is having none of it and regains half guard.
Gers thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gers missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gers is keen to just control but Backman is a slippery customer.
Gers is pressing down on Backman's thigh, looking to free his foot. Backman is holding on for now.
Gers is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Gers throwing shots but Backman is blocking nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gers is trying to control the action in half guard but Backman is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Backman blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gers.
Gers throws a strike but Backman avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backman keeping full guard, as Gers tries to pass.
Gers content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Backman keeping full guard, as Gers tries to pass.
Gers with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gers wants to pass the guard but Backman is keeping the position.
Gers works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Backman is pressing down on Gers's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gers pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Backman is keeping the position for now.
Gers is in close to Backman's body, working some short punches and elbows.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gers stops Backman from standing up.
Gers stopping the sweep attempt from Backman.
Backman keeping full guard, as Gers tries to pass.
Gers trying to move into half guard but instead Backman has managed to sweep!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gers can't keep his opponent in guard - Backman advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Gers trying to control but Backman postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dave Gers will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Backman misses with an uppercut. Gers saw that one coming.
Gers throws a right and a left that both miss.
Backman throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Gers tries for a takedown but Backman sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gers uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Backman.
Backman ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Backman defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gers.
Backman swings for the body but Gers moves out of range.

Gers closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Backman's guard.
Gers in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gers tries to free his leg and advance position but Backman is retaining full guard.
Gers wants to control from the top but Backman keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backman manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gers manages to get himself to full guard.
Gers is trying to keep Backman in close.
Gers is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Backman trying to stand up but can't free himself from Gers's guard.
Backman has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Gers escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Backman gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Backman would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Gers has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Backman wants to stand but Gers is controlling his posture from full guard.
Gers looking to hit a scissor sweep but Backman is one step ahead there.
Gers is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Backman sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Gers's guard.
Gers wants to get back to full guard.
Backman wants to free his trapped foot but Gers is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gers is trying to get back to full guard.
Gers wants to control but Backman is keeping busy.
Gers is looking to improve his position.
Backman is trying to control. Gers wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Backman tries to pass the half guard into mount. Gers knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Backman has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Gers works to full guard.
Backman wants to stand but Gers is controlling his posture from full guard.
Gers looking for a sweep. Not yet Gers, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backman is looking to stand up but Gers won't let him.
Backman wants to control from the top but Gers keeps moving.
Gers working a defensive guard here.
Backman would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Backman preventing the sweep.
Dave Gers has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Backman is fighting to break Gers's control of his arms but Gers is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Gers slips a jab and a cross from Backman.
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 Ben Backman will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Gers blocks a head kick by Backman.
Gers swings for the body but Backman moves out of range.
Backman stuffs the takedown attempt from Gers. Gers gets slowly back to his feet.
No joy there for Backman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Backman throws a jab when Gers was well out of range.
Gers misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Backman.
Backman connects with a looping right hand.
Backman pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Backman lands a body shot.
Backman thows a left - swing and a miss!
Backman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gers throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Backman stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gers takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Backman throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gers fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Backman looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Gers takes a jab right on the kisser.
Ben Backman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A slow jab from Backman misses its intended target.
Gers looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Backman is fending him off so far but Gers persists. Nope, Backman circles away and we're back to standing.
Gers shoots in but Backman avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ben Backman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dave Gers.
Backman scores with a jab to the body.
Gers takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Backman throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Ben Backman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gers shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Backman sprawls well. Backman wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gers gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gers shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Backman defends it nicely.
Gers shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Backman as he avoids it easily.
Gers looks to score with a jab to the body but Backman is just out of range.
Backman lands a jab to Gers's midsection.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gers shoots in looking for a takedown. Backman tries to sprawl out of it but Gers keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Backman manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice sprawl there from Backman as Gers shoots in.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gers looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Gers has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Gers ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gers shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Backman sprawls well. Backman wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gers gets slowly back to his feet.
Backman feints a jab promting Gers to slip. Backman then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Gers slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Gers fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Backman connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Gers's hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gers looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Backman is fending him off so far but Gers persists. Nope, Backman circles away and we're back to standing.
Gers is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Backman rather than just go for the knockout.
Backman throws an overhand right that lands on Gers's shoulder, as Gers tries to avoid the shot.
A cross from Backman lands.
Backman throws a hook but Gers blocks it.
Backman cracks Gers with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Gers walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Gers ducks under a wild hook from Backman.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gers is defended easily by Backman.
Ben Backman is winning the standup battle so far.
Backman throws a right and a left that both miss.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gers throws a right hand that misses
and Backman counters with a stiff right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ben Backman showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Backman 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 29:29
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:28
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Ben Backman!
In his post fight interview, Ben Backman started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.