PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Robinson Crusoe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Project Fighter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fighter comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Mr. Crowley kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Robinson Crusoe had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Crusoe
vs
Fighter

180 cm
31
215 lbs
17 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
205 lbs
15 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

Conquer
Perkele!

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 17 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Robinson Crusoe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Project Fighter!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Daniel Franklin and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Fighter, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Fighter loads up on a big right hand but Crusoe slips the punch.
Crusoe appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Crusoe keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fighter.
Crusoe attempts a counter takedown but Fighter avoids it well and moves away.
Fighter misses with the combination.
Fighter throws a one two combo.
Fighter throws a jab when Crusoe was well out of range.
Fighter misses with a two punch combination.
Fighter misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Crusoe half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fighter scores with a nice right hand.
Fighter throws a hook to the side of Crusoe's head but Crusoe sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Crusoe drops down looking for a counter takedown but Fighter sprawls and moves away.
Fighter throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Crusoe sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fighter throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Crusoe sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fighter swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Crusoe counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Crusoe advances position into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fighter is trying to escape the position but Crusoe is controlling the position.
Fighter is looking to reverse the position.
Crusoe staying calm.
Fighter is trying to get back to half guard.
Crusoe in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Crusoe seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Fighter for as long as he can get away with.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fighter is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Crusoe's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crusoe is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Fighter looking for submissions off his back.
Still in half guard, Crusoe seems content to control.
Fighter wants to improve his position but Crusoe is controlling well.
Fighter trying to control but Crusoe postures up.
Crusoe controlling the action here.

Fighter looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crusoe controlling the action here.
Fighter is trying to get back to full guard.

Fighter is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Crusoe pulls his head out easily.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Fighter is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Crusoe is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Crusoe prevents Fighter from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Crusoe is taking a breather. Fighter says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Fighter looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Crusoe slows the pace down in half guard.
Crusoe wants to take a breather but Fighter is having none of it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Fighter rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Crusoe counters with a shoot takedown. Fighter fights it but they end up in guard.

Fighter looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Crusoe sitting in guard, not really doing much.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Project Fighter will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Fighter sizes up Crusoe with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
The crowd cheers as Fighter lands an impressive looking overhand right. Crusoe doesn't seem phased though.
Crusoe avoids a punch combination nicely.
Crusoe changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A left lands for Fighter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crusoe staying out of range there.
Crusoe slips a jab from Fighter.
Fighter bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Crusoe's head backwards.
A jab from Fighter finds it's way through Crusoe's defenses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fighter misses with a hook

so Crusoe counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
We've been hearing that Crusoe has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Fighter looking to hit a scissor sweep but Crusoe is one step ahead there.
Crusoe showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Fighter is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Robinson Crusoe overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Fighter has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Crusoe can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Fighter tries to land a sweep but no joy.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crusoe controlling from the top position.
Crusoe has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Fighter is looking for a triangle but Crusoe pushes his legs off easily.
Fighter can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Crusoe controls the pace.
Crusoe stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fighter swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Crusoe stays in close to Fighter's body and controls the position.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Crusoe.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Project Fighter seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crusoe walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Fighter lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Crusoe circles away quickly and effectively.
Crusoe attempts a counter takedown but Fighter avoids it well and moves away.
Project Fighter is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fighter lands a glancing blow to the side of Crusoe's head.
Fighter might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Fighter lands a jab-cross combination.
Fighter feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Crusoes jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Crusoe uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Fighter.
Crusoe appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Project Fighter is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fighter lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Fighter missing with a left hand there. Crusoe was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fighter throws a shot from downtown. Crusoe moves away and avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fighter shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Crusoe eats them both and turns towards Fighter to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Project Fighter seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fighter throws a left and a right that both miss

so Crusoe counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Crusoe controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Crusoe continues to stall.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Crusoe trying to control the position from guard on top but Fighter is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Fighter throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Crusoe slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Crusoe trying to control but Fighter is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Project Fighter showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Fighter missing with a left hand there. Crusoe was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fighter has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fighter throws a jab but it's blocked by Crusoe.
Crusoe ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Crusoe feinted with a counter takedown.
Fighter getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Fighter scores with a jab to the head.
Fighter misses with a hook. Crusoe ducked under it nicely.
Crusoe feinted with a counter takedown.
Nice shot lands for Fighter.
Fighter rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Crusoe counters with a nice double leg into side control. Fighter won't be happy with that.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Fighter is looking for a sweep.
Fighter is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Crusoe performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fighter looking for submissions off his back.

Fighter looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Crusoe performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Crusoe continues to hold on tight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Crusoe prevents Fighter from improving his position.

Fighter looking for submissions off his back.
Crusoe content to control rather than advance.

Fighter looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crusoe trying to control the pace.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Fighter misses with a double jab.
Crusoe tries to counter with a takedown but Fighter is quick to defend against it.
Crusoe steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fighter.
Crusoe appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Crusoe on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Fighter throws a hook but Crusoe avoids it easily.
Crusoe displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fighter throws out the jab.
Crusoe changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Crusoe staying out of range there.
Fighter lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
A swing and a miss from Fighter.
Crusoe half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Crusoe blocks a jab.
Fighter throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Crusoe drops down looking for a counter takedown but Fighter sprawls and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fighter throws a combination that misses

and Crusoe counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Crusoe perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Crusoe frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Crusoe looking to control and managing it successfully.
Fighter tries to reverse the position but Crusoe maintains control.
Crusoe controlling from the full mount.
Fighter is wriggling around trying to escape.
Crusoe controlling from mount.
Robinson Crusoe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Crusoe dominating with strikes here.
Project Fighter is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Crusoe landing strikes from the mount.
Crusoe lands a nice shot to the head.

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 Robinson Crusoe.
I think Fighter has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Robinson Crusoe!
Robinson Crusoe looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'I'm baccccckkkk!'.