PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bryan Joseph (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eddy Afvalbak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Joseph
vs
Afvalbak

185 cm
20
190 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

187 cm
19
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Fast

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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bryan Joseph!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Eddy Afvalbak!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Afvalbak clinches up against the cage.
Afvalbak misses with a punch to the body.
Joseph tries to break the clinch but Afvalbak is controlling the position.

Afvalbak pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Afvalbak moves into range and clinches up with Joseph.
Afvalbak creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Joseph keeps control of Afvalbak as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Joseph has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Joseph lands an elbow just above Afvalbak 's eye.

It looks like Eddy Afvalbak has been cut.
Joseph misses with a knee to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Joseph obliges.
Afvalbak on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Afvalbak avoids the elbow strike from Joseph, against the cage.
Joseph using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Afvalbak misses with a short punch on the inside.
Afvalbak throws a punch but it's blocked by Joseph.
Joseph missing with knees to the body.
Afvalbak blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The referee calls for Joseph to work.
Afvalbak fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Joseph has had enough of the clinch but Afvalbak keeps him there for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Afvalbak misses with a hook to the ribs.
Afvalbak throws a punch but it's blocked by Joseph.
Joseph missing with knees to the body.
Joseph stalling in the clinch but Afvalbak improves position.
Joseph creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Joseph lands a body punch in the clinch.
Joseph working Afvalbak over with knees to the body.
Afvalbak blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Joseph's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Joseph throws a knee to the head but misses.
Joseph trying to land knees to the body.
Joseph tries to land knees in the clinch but Afvalbak avoids the damage to the body.
Afvalbak lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A right hand to the body from Joseph.
Afvalbak blocks an elbow strike.
Afvalbak lands a hook to the side of the head.
Joseph misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Afvalbak.
Afvalbak misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Joseph looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joseph throws a knee to the head but misses.
Joseph lands a knee to the head.
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!
Afvalbak lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Joseph backwards.
Joseph is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Afvalbak is defending well for now.
A right hand to the body from Afvalbak.
Afvalbak is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Joseph is defending well for now.
Joseph blocks an uppercut.
Joseph dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Joseph tries to land knees in the clinch but Afvalbak avoids the damage to the body.
Joseph using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Afvalbak has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Joseph missing with knees to the body.
Joseph working hard to break the clinch.
Afvalbak on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Afvalbak goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Joseph lands a knee to the body.
Joseph's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Afvalbak gets through Joseph's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Joseph tries to land knees in the clinch but Afvalbak avoids the damage to the body.
Afvalbak swings wildly with an uppercut but Joseph uses good head movement to avoid it.
Afvalbak goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Joseph misses with a knee to the head.
Afvalbak misses with a short punch on the inside.
Joseph missing with knees to the body.
The referee is keeping an eye on Joseph - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Joseph lands an elbow that stopped Afvalbak in his tracks for a moment.
With the fighters up against the cage, Joseph throws an elbow but misses.

Afvalbak breaks from the clinch.

Afvalbak moves into the clinch.
Joseph's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Joseph blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joseph lands a body shot.

Afvalbak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Afvalbak throws a right hand that Joseph ducks under and follows up with a left that Joseph also avoids with ease.

Afvalbak gets tackled into the cage by Joseph. Joseph maintains the clinch.
Joseph tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Joseph goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Joseph lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Joseph lands a damaging elbow.
A short left from Afvalbak.
Joseph is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Afvalbak tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Joseph blocks an uppercut.
Joseph blocks the elbow strike.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Joseph tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Joseph can't break the clinch.
Joseph has Afvalbak pushed against the cage.
Afvalbak has a couple of punches blocked by Joseph.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bryan Joseph dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Eddy Afvalbak's cut.
That's time! Joseph's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Joseph avoids the body shot from Afvalbak.
Eddy Afvalbak seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A punch combination from Afvalbak misses.
Joseph blocks a jab.

Joseph moves into the clinch.
Afvalbak lands with a right to the head.
Afvalbak works on Joseph's body with a couple of short punches.
Joseph blocking some punches.
Joseph tries a knee to the head but Afvalbak blocks it.
Afvalbak throws an elbow but it misses.
A short body shot lands from Joseph as the two fighters clinch.
Joseph blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Joseph blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Afvalbak keeps control of Joseph as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Afvalbak misses with a hook from the clinch.
Joseph tries to throw a body punch but Afvalbak avoids it by throwing Joseph back against the cage.
Joseph is trying to push Afvalbak away but Afvalbak has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Afvalbak tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short left from Afvalbak.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Afvalbak lands a left hand that snaps the head of Joseph backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joseph goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Afvalbak fails to land.
Joseph lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Afvalbak misses with a hook to the ribs.

Afvalbak pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Joseph misses with a two punch combination.
Joseph takes a jab right on the kisser.

Joseph gets a clinch.
Joseph tries a knee to the head but Afvalbak blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Afvalbak.
Joseph tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Afvalbak avoids it.
Joseph lands with a light punch inside.
Joseph throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Bryan Joseph has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Afvalbak on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A shot in the inside from Afvalbak.
Joseph misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Afvalbak.
Afvalbak has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Joseph lands a left hand that snaps the head of Afvalbak backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joseph lands a damaging elbow.
Joseph tries to land knees in the clinch but Afvalbak avoids the damage to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
With the fighters up against the cage, Joseph throws an elbow but misses.
Afvalbak tries to work over Joseph's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Afvalbak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Joseph has Afvalbak up against the cage in a clinch.
Joseph is trying to break free.
Joseph misses with an elbow over the top.
Afvalbak digs a right hand underneath Joseph's ribcage. Joseph let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Afvalbak managing to block the knees to the body from Joseph.
Joseph missing with knees to the body.
Afvalbak managing to block the knees to the body from Joseph.
Joseph tries a knee to the head but Afvalbak blocks it.
Afvalbak tries to throw a body punch but Joseph avoids it by throwing Afvalbak back against the cage.
Afvalbak avoiding damage as Joseph throws knees to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Afvalbak creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Afvalbak blocking some punches.
Afvalbak misses with the head strike.
Joseph looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Afvalbak goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Afvalbak makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Afvalbak throws an elbow but it misses.
Afvalbak lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Afvalbak tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Afvalbak lands an uppercut.
Joseph can't find room to land a body shot as Afvalbak controls the action.
Nice body punch from Afvalbak - that landed with a thud.

Afvalbak breaks from the clinch.
Afvalbak throws a series of punches but Joseph avoids them all with ease.
Joseph lands a head kick!

That has opened up Eddy Afvalbak's cut even more.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Afvalbak thows a body shot but no joy.

Joseph has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joseph trying to land knees to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Joseph seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but Afvalbak is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.
Afvalbak swings wildly with an uppercut but Joseph uses good head movement to avoid it.

Joseph breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Joseph gets a clinch.

Joseph's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Afvalbak moves into range and clinches up with Joseph.
Afvalbak blocks a body shot from Joseph.
Joseph throws an elbow but it misses.
Joseph blocks an uppercut.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Joseph using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Afvalbak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Joseph has closed the distance and engaged Afvalbak in a clinch.
Joseph prevents a body shot from Afvalbak.
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 Bryan Joseph will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Eddy Afvalbak's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Joseph moves into the clinch successfully.
Still in the clinch, Afvalbak scores with a nice short uppercut.
Afvalbak struggles to land a body shot inside as Joseph controls his hands.

Afvalbak breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Joseph walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Joseph throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Afvalbak stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Afvalbak misses with a wild body shot.
Afvalbak misses with an uppercut
and Joseph counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Afvalbak is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Joseph moves into the clinch.
Joseph working Afvalbak over with knees to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Joseph lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Afvalbak.
Joseph throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Afvalbaks head.
Joseph misses with a knee strike.
Joseph trying to stall but Afvalbak improves his position.
Joseph with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Afvalbak tries to work over Joseph's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Afvalbak takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Joseph displaying some good clinch control by pressing Afvalbak up against the cage.
Afvalbak can't find room to land a body shot as Joseph controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Joseph scores with a nice short uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Joseph.
Afvalbak swings wildly with an uppercut but Joseph uses good head movement to avoid it.
Afvalbak softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Afvalbak keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Joseph's efforts to push away.
Joseph tries to stall but Afvalbak uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Joseph missing with knees to the body.
Afvalbak tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Afvalbak struggles to land a body shot inside as Joseph controls his hands.
Afvalbak lands an uppercut.
Afvalbak is looking to break free of the clinch but Joseph has double underhooks.

Joseph manages to break the clinch.
Afvalbak lands with an uppercut that bounces Joseph off the cage and back into range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Afvalbak avoids the head kick by Joseph.
Afvalbak throws a jab but it's blocked by Joseph.

Joseph forces Afvalbak back against the cage and clinches.
Joseph tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Joseph missing with knees to the body.
Joseph tries to work over Afvalbak's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Joseph tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Afvalbak's elbow.

Afvalbak breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Joseph clinches.
Joseph lands a shoulder strike.
Joseph missing with knees to the body.
Joseph tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Afvalbak's elbow.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Joseph blocks an elbow strike from Afvalbak.
Afvalbak takes a shot to the head.
Afvalbak digs a right hand underneath Joseph's ribcage. Joseph let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joseph tries to land a knee to the head but Afvalbak blocks with his arms.
A short left from Afvalbak.
Afvalbak blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Joseph misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Afvalbak.
Still in the clinch, Afvalbak scores with a nice short uppercut.
Afvalbak misses with a hook from the clinch.
Joseph tries to land a knee to the head but Afvalbak blocks with his arms.
Joseph managing to block the knees to the body from Afvalbak.
Afvalbak digs a right hand underneath Joseph's ribcage. Joseph let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Joseph tries to throw a body punch but Afvalbak avoids it by throwing Joseph back against the cage.
Afvalbak using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Joseph using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Afvalbak has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Afvalbak escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Joseph closes the distance and pushes Afvalbak back into the cage.

Afvalbak breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Afvalbak drives through and clinches with Joseph against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Afvalbak misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Joseph.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A shot in the inside from Afvalbak.
Afvalbak misses with an elbow over the top.
Afvalbak lands an uppercut.
Joseph with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Joseph's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Afvalbak fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Eddy Afvalbak has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Joseph has taken the fight to the clinch.
Joseph crunches a lovely knee into Afvalbak's ribcage.
Afvalbak avoids the elbow strike from Joseph, against the cage.
Joseph is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Afvalbak is defending well for now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Joseph landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A nice right hand lands inside from Afvalbak.

Afvalbak manages to break the clinch.
Bryan Joseph is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Afvalbak throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Joseph counters with a head kick. That will keep Afvalbak thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Bryan Joseph.
Well Joseph 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:29

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