PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Dan Backslide (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mac Crawford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Backslide's entrance music is The Dover Boys. A fine choice. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Backslide
vs
Crawford

174 cm
19
145 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

167 cm
21
135 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Valhalla War Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dan Backslide!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mac Crawford!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Shigeki Fujiwara and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Backslide tries to clinch but Crawford is having none of it.
Backslide tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A punch combination from Backslide misses.
Crawford moves out of range of the body kick.
Backslide tries to clinch but Crawford moves out of range.
Backslide throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Crawford keeps the fight on the outside.
Backslide throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A combination from Backslide does no damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crawford tries to clinch

and Backslide holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Backslide prevents the takedown attempt.

Backslide breaks the clinch.
Backslide is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Crawford tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Backslide swivels and escapes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Backslide!
Dan Backslide is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Backslide misses with a wild combination.
Crawford misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Dan Backslide has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mac Crawford.
Backslide scores with a three punch combo!
Backslide tries to clinch

and Crawford counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Backslide is defending against the submission attempts here by Crawford.
Crawford works his way into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Crawford thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Crawford wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Backslide, who protects the arm well.

Crawford is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Backslide has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backslide is not content to let Crawford control the position.

Crawford thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Crawford trying to control the position but Backslide is working away.
Crawford tries to move to mount but Backslide blocks the move with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Crawford laying and praying for a moment but Backslide takes advantage and regains half guard.
Backslide is in trouble now - Crawford has advanced to mount!

Crawford goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Backslide is on top in guard.

Backslide avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Crawford wants to sweep here but Backslide controlling him for the moment.

Crawford escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Backslide gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Crawford looking for a guillotine here but Backslide defends easily.
Crawford looks gassed!
Crawford manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Crawford looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Crawford working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Crawford has control of Backslide's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Backslide regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Backslide defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Crawford.

Crawford working for a submission but Backslide is keeping him at bay.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Crawford looking for a guillotine from mount but Backslide is having none of it.
Backslide is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.

Backslide defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Crawford.
You get the feeling that Backslide really doesn't like being in this position too much.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Crawford jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Backslide manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Crawford wants to lay and pray for a moment but Backslide keeps working.
Crawford has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Crawford looking to control but Backslide is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mac Crawford dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Backslide throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Backslide is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Backslide misses with the combination.
Crawford fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Backslide throws a series of punches but Crawford avoids them all with ease.

Crawford fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Backslide sprawls well initially but Crawford persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawford trying to mount his opponent but Backslide defends it.
Backslide pushes Crawford off looking to stand but Crawford dives back in and keeps control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Crawford is looking to advance position but Backslide won't allow it.

Crawford wants to work for an arm triangle but Backslide is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Crawford moves nicely into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Crawford wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Backslide, who protects the arm well.
Mac Crawford has got the better of the ground game so far.
Crawford tries to advance to mount but Backslide instead regains half guard.
Crawford missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crawford wants to free his trapped foot but Backslide is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Crawford seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Backslide does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Crawford is looking for a kimura here.

Crawford is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Backslide has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Backslide closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Backslide trying to land knees to the body.

Backslide breaks from the clinch.
Backslide throws a head kick but Crawford moves out of range.
Crawford tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Backslide swivels and escapes.
Backslide tries to clinch but Crawford moves out of range.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Backslide looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Crawford doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Backslide counters by clinching up.
Dan Backslide has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mac Crawford.

Backslide breaks from the clinch.
Backslide misses with a head kick.
Crawford tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Backslide swivels and escapes.
Crawford shoots in but Backslide avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Backslide misses with a series of wild punches.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Backslide is looking to clinch.
Backslide throws a series of punches but Crawford moves out of range.
Dan Backslide is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Crawford uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Backslide.
Backslide pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Crawford shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Backslide counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Backslide.
Crawford tries to score a body lock takedown but Backslide shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Backslide connects with a knee to the head.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Backslide unloads a knee to the mid-section. Crawford lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Backslide digs a right hand into Crawford's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Crawford's gas tank.
Backslide is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Crawford can't get the takedown.
Backslide has had enough of the clinch but Crawford keeps him there for the moment.
Knees to the body from Backslide.
Crawford keeps control of Backslide as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Backslide gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Crawford.
Backslide prevents the takedown attempt.
Crawford has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Backslide avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Backslide lands a knee to the body.
Backslide connects with a nasty looking knee right to Crawford's face.
Crawford tries for a takedown but Backslide manages to get underhooks.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Backslide stalling in the clinch.
Backslide misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Crawford.
Crawford is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Backslide is keeping busy.
Crawford tries for a takedown. No joy.
Backslide managing to block the knees to the body from Crawford.
Backslide lands an elbow inside.
Backslide lands a knee to the body.
Backslide lands a nice elbow.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.
Crawford wants a takedown.

Backslide breaks from the clinch.
Crawford changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Backslide tries to avoid it but Crawford manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Backslide to the ground. Backslide escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Backslide!
Nice sprawl there from Backslide as Crawford shoots in.
Crawford shoots for a double leg takedown but Backslide sprawls well. He's pushed Crawford's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Backslide closes the distance and clinches.

Backslide breaks from the clinch.

Backslide gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Crawford managing to block the knees to the body from Backslide.
Backslide with a knee to the head.
Crawford fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Crawford managing to block the knees to the body from Backslide.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan Backslide showed his dominance in that final round.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Dan Backslide!
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Mac Crawford!
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Mac Crawford!

Mac Crawford wins by split decision!