PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Serafin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brenden Spikes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Daniel Serafin has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Serafin
vs
Spikes

186 cm
27
178 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

190 cm
25
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Good kicks
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Daniel Serafin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Brenden Spikes!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Sam Margolis and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Serafin manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Spikes on his heels. He'll look to pass Spikes's guard now, I'm sure.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Spikes has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Serafin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Spikes is on top in guard.
Spikes trying to control but Serafin is working from the bottom.
Serafin wants to sweep but no luck.

Serafin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Serafin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Spikes controls from within his opponent's guard.

Serafin has his foot on Spikes's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Spikes works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spikes stops Serafin from standing up.

Spikes stands up and waves to Serafin to follow him.
Daniel Serafin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Serafin tries to score a power double leg takedown but Spikes sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Serafin somewhat.
Serafin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Spikes sprawls well. Spikes wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Serafin gets slowly back to his feet.

Spikes looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Spikes's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spikes is looking to work some ground and pound but Serafin has wrist control.

Spikes gets to his feet. Serafin looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Spikes tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Serafin swivels and escapes.
Serafin keeps the fight on the outside.
Spikes fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Serafin is out of range.
Serafin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
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!
Serafin misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Serafin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Serafin is breathing heavily.
Serafin slaps away a takedown attempt from Spikes, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Spikes wants to clinch up but Serafin keeps it at a distance.
Serafin shoots in looking for a takedown but Spikes manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Serafin's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Spikes. Serafin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Spikes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spikes throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Spikes misses with a takedown attempt - Serafin sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Serafin throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Spikes was covering up waiting for the punch and Serafin finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Spikes trying to control the position.

Serafin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Spikes has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Serafin has managed to get both his arms back between Spikes's legs - danger averted.
Spikes is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Serafin has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Spikes is proving hard to escape from.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Spikes has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Serafin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Serafin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Spikes wants to sweep but no luck.

Spikes wriggles free and stands up.
Serafin shoots in looking for a takedown but Spikes manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Serafin's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spikes tries to clinch but Serafin moves out of range.
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!
Serafin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Serafin wants it to stay on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Brenden Spikes will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Spikes displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Serafin.
Spikes shoots in but Serafin avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Spikes tries to clinch there but Serafin circles away.
Spikes shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Serafin but Serafin pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Serafin scores with a head kick. Spikes tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Serafin fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Spikes avoids it really well and circles away.
Spikes is looking to clinch but Serafin is avoiding it.
Spikes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Serafin drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Spikes 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Serafin advances to half guard.

Serafin is working for a submission of some sort.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Spikes looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Serafin is looking to take a break and control but Spikes is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Spikes is controlling Serafin's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spikes wants to get back to full guard but Serafin has passed into side control.
Serafin working away.
Spikes is not content to let Serafin control the position.
Serafin working away.
Spikes wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Serafin looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Serafin tries to stand but Spikes is controlling his head.
Spikes is trying to get back to half guard.

Serafin goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Spikes has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Serafin but great work by Spikes.
Serafin tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Spikes wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Serafin is not content to let Spikes control the position.
Spikes working the strikes but Serafin uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Serafin is looking to control Spikes's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Serafin avoid being mounted?
Serafin is trying to stand back up but Spikes is controlling him
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Spikes passes the guard and advances to mount!
Serafin wants to control but Spikes is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Serafin dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Serafin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Serafin wants it to stay on the feet.
Spikes misses with a low kick as Serafin jumps back.
Serafin swats away the attempt to clinch by Spikes.
Spikes stuffs the takedown.
Serafin shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Spikes throws a right hand that Serafin ducks under and follows up with a left that Serafin also avoids with ease.
Spikes looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Serafin shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Spikes defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Serafin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice sprawl there from Spikes as Serafin shoots in.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Spikes misses with a wild body shot.
Spikes fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Serafin.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Serafin.
Spikes fails with the takedown.
Serafin leaves Spikes with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Spikes slaps away a takedown attempt from Serafin, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Serafin dives in and grabs Spikes's left leg, looking for a takedown. Spikes pushes down on Serafin's head and hops out.
Spikes fails in his attempt to clinch.
Spikes looks for a takedown but Serafin sprawls well.
Spikes fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spikes shoots in for a takedown but Serafin shows good takedown defense.
Serafin shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Spikes pinned against the cage. Spikes gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Spikes shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Serafin throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Spikes's head.
Horrible takedown by Spikes or perhaps it was just good defense by Serafin which made him look bad.
Serafin shoots in looking for a takedown. Spikes tries to sprawl out of it but Serafin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Spikes manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Spikes fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Spikes enables Serafin to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Spikes manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Spikes seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Serafin trying to control the position from guard on top but Spikes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Spikes wants to sweep here but Serafin controlling him for the moment.
Spikes controls Serafin momentarily but Serafin frees himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Brenden Spikes wasn't active enough on the ground.
Spikes closes the distance and clinches up with Serafin, looking for a takedown. Spikes pushes Serafin against the cage but Serafin circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
No luck for Serafin with that takedown attempt.
A right-left combo lands from Serafin.
Spikes looks to land a body kick but Serafin moved away.
Serafin keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Spikes.
Serafin swats away the attempt to clinch by Spikes.
Serafin fails with the takedown.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fight stays on the outside here - Spikes looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

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 Daniel Serafin.
I think Serafin 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 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!