PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mark Messer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Christopher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Messer
vs
Christopher

185 cm
24
205 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

195 cm
19
210 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Mark Messer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, John Christopher!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Wagner Zegers and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Christopher tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Christopher fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Messer, pushing him back against the cage.
Messer tries to score a body lock takedown but Christopher shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Christopher throws a knee to the head but misses.
I was talking to Messer's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Knees in the clinch landing for Messer.

Christopher jumps guard.

Christopher looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Messer passes into side control.
Messer content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

Messer has hold of Christopher's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Christopher tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Messer cranks the arm and Christopher screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Christopher, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Mark Messer!