PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Steve Freeman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aidan Donnithorne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Aidan Donnithorne was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Freeman
vs
Donnithorne

216 cm
18
177 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

170 cm
23
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Steve Freeman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Aidan Donnithorne!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Phil Schofield and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Freeman shoots for a takedown but Donnithorne saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Donnithorne swats away the attempt to clinch by Freeman.
Donnithorne slaps away a takedown attempt from Freeman, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Freeman fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Freeman. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Donnithorne is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Freeman's half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Donnithorne is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Freeman trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donnithorne throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Freeman wants to improve his position but Donnithorne is controlling well.

Donnithorne seems to be looking for submissions.

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.
Donnithorne trying to advance position but Freeman counters by regaining guard.
Donnithorne stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Freeman swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Donnithorne controlling from the top position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Freeman tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Donnithorne shoots in and bounces Freeman off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Donnithorne drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Freeman dives on top into guard.

Donnithorne looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Freeman passes into side control.
Donnithorne wants to control but Freeman postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Donnithorne trying to control but Freeman flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Freeman gets his hands free as Donnithorne looks to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Donnithorne is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Freeman is staying active.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Freeman is hanging on to Donnithorne's back as he tries to escape.

Donnithorne defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aidan Donnithorne dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Donnithorne swats away the attempt to clinch by Freeman.
Freeman shoots and misses

and Donnithorne decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Freeman's guard.
Donnithorne wants to control from the top but Freeman keeps moving.
Donnithorne loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Donnithorne drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Freeman manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Donnithorne has Freeman in his guard.

Donnithorne working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Freeman.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Freeman avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Freeman will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Donnithorne wants to control the position but Freeman says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Freeman really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Donnithorne is looking for a sweep. Freeman is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

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.

Donnithorne looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Donnithorne has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Donnithorne is trying to get back to full guard.
Freeman throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Freeman is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Donnithorne sees it coming and defends easily.
Donnithorne is trying to maintain the position but Freeman is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freeman is trying to control. Donnithorne wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Freeman misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Donnithorne manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Freeman on his heels. He'll look to pass Freeman's guard now, I'm sure.
Donnithorne looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Donnithorne tries to free his leg and advance position but Freeman is retaining full guard.
Aidan Donnithorne has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Donnithorne keeps trying to improve his position.
Freeman is controlling Donnithorne's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aidan Donnithorne showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Donnithorne stuffs the takedown.

Freeman forces Donnithorne back against the cage and clinches.

Donnithorne has hold of one of Freeman's legs. Freeman is fighting the takedown attempt but Donnithorne gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Donnithorne stands up and waves to Freeman to follow him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Freeman has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freeman tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Donnithorne.

Donnithorne is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Freeman's half guard.

Donnithorne is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Donnithorne is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Freeman sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donnithorne wants to take a breather but Freeman is having none of it.
Freeman wants to get back to his feet.
Freeman has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Donnithorne is working away from the top position though.
Donnithorne wants to pass to mount but Freeman is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freeman tries to kick Donnithorne off but Donnithorne keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Donnithorne takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Freeman is looking for a sweep. Donnithorne is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Freeman shoots in for a takedown but Donnithorne shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Freeman. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Freeman tries to clinch up but Donnithorne circles away and keeps his distance.

Donnithorne gets a takedown into half guard.

Donnithorne is looking for a kimura but Freeman is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Donnithorne to get the leverage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Donnithorne seems to be working for a kimura but Freeman defends the submission attempt.
Donnithorne is looking to take a break and control but Freeman is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aidan Donnithorne comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Donnithorne winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aidan Donnithorne!
Aidan Donnithorne was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.