PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between The Artist (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Handle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Artist's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Limp Bizkit / Break Stuff. Handle has chosen Right On as his entrance music. On his way into the cage it seems that The Artist has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily The Artist seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Artist
vs
Handle

182 cm
21
192 lbs
3 - 2 - 1

170 cm
27
190 lbs
8 - 12 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, The Artist!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Max Handle!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Artist looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Handle!

Artist wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Handle, who protects the arm well.
Handle is trying to control Artist's posture but Artist avoids it.
Artist trying to control the position but Handle is working away.

Artist goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Handle rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Artist's guard! Nice work there by Handle!

Handle got a little sloppy there for a moment and Artist has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Handle has managed to get both his arms back between Artist's legs - danger averted.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Handle has gone for a leg lock! Artist slips out almost immediately though and dives into Handle's guard.

Handle looking to hit a scissor sweep but Artist is one step ahead there.
Handle not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Handle keeping moving, preventing Artist from controlling successfully.
Handle looking to control.

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

Handle missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Artist seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Handle's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Handle trying to control the position from guard on top but Artist is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Handle throws a big right hand that misses.

Artist has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Handle can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Handle throws an elbow that misses. Artist uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Handle's guard. Nice move by Artist!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Handle has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Artist working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Artist in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Handle is trying to keep Artist in close.
Artist lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Artist scoring with some ground and pound.
Handle has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Death Valley Training Facility. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Artist stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Handle swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Handle looking for a sweep. Not yet Handle, not yet.
Artist trying to control the position from guard on top but Handle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Artist landing with the ground and pound.
Artist wants to pass the guard but Handle is keeping the position.
Handle controlling the position.
Handle avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Handle not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Artist is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Artist connects with a couple of short punches.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Handle working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Artist.
Handle managing to control the position.
Handle keeping full guard, as Artist tries to pass.
Artist throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Artist in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Artist has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Artist throws a big elbow that misses.
Artist trying to control the position from guard on top but Handle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Artist is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Artist postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Handle is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Artist, into his guard.

Handle throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

The Artist dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Artist avoids a punch combination nicely.
Artist misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Handle to counter with a crisp jab.
Handle rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Artist moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Artist closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Handle did well to prevent Artist getting side control.
Artist moves nicely into side control.
Handle is looking to reverse the position.
Handle wants to control but Artist postures up.
Handle defending against the ground and pound.

Artist goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Handle has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Artist but great work by Handle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Handle scores with a couple of short elbows.

Handle decides to stand back up. Handle steps back and let's Artist get back to his feet.
Handle cracks Artist with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Artist tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Handle defends well and Artist ends up having to push Handle into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Artist ducks right into an uppercut from Handle.

Artist darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Handle manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Artist keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Handle breaks the clinch.
Artist closes this distance looking for a takedown but Handle circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for The Artist. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Artist shoots in looking for a takedown but Handle manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Artist's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Artist showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Handle.
Handle sizes up Artist with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Artist takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Handle misses with a double jab.
Artist shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Handle as he jumps to the side.
Nice takedown defense from Handle. No joy for Artist on that attempt.
Handle scores with a jab. Artist acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Handle looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Handle scores with a one two! Artist had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Max Handle is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Artist shoots in for a takedown but Handle shows good takedown defense.
Handle tries to bum rush Artist with a series of wild strikes but Artist uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Artist shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Artist looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Artist lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Artist is trying to work for a kimura but Handle is defending well.
Artist throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Artist seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Artist working over Handle with some ground and pound. Handle looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Artist is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Artist not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Artist is working for a kimura but Handle is defending it quite comfortably.
Handle moves into full guard.
Handle trying to control the position.
Artist being controlled here momentarily.
Artist missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Handle looking to control.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Artist's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Handle is trying to control the position but Artist postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Handle looking for a guillotine here but Artist defends easily.
Artist throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Artist throws a big right hand that misses.
Artist content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Handle keeping moving, preventing Artist from controlling successfully.
Handle wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Artist scoring with punches to the head and body.
Artist is in close to Handle's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Handle utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Handle trying to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Handle showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Artist moves away from the strike by Handle.
Artist drops down looking for a counter takedown but Handle sprawls and moves away.
Artist keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Handle.
Handle lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Artist shoots in looking for a takedown. Handle tries to sprawl out of it but Artist keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Handle manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Handle throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Handle stuffs the takedown attempt from Artist. Artist gets slowly back to his feet.
It seemed like Handle was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Artist walks into a jab.
Artist fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for The Artist. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Handle throws a right and a left that both miss.
Artist fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Artist fails to land the takedown.
Max Handle seems to be getting the better of the standup.
That kick from Handle tenderised Artist's leg. Artist is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Handle.
Artist shoots in looking for a takedown but Handle manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Artist's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Handle gets caught napping as Artist dives in and scores a takedown. Handle manages to retain guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Handle is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Handle in particular looking to stall.
Handle missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Handle wants to stand up but Artist is controlling the position.

Handle decides to return to a standing position.

Artist gets a takedown into half guard.
Handle tries to get to full guard but Artist has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Handle works his way to full guard. Good work.
Handle trying to control the position here.
Artist stands up over Handle, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Handle throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Artist postures up in Handle's guard and throws a big left but Handle blocks it.
Artist stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Handle swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Artist is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Artist lands a couple of elbows.
Handle is trying to control the position but Artist postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Artist trying to control the position from guard on top but Handle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Handle has Artist pulled in close to control his posture.
Artist in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

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

Handle throws a big right hand that misses.
Handle with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Handle trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Handle would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Handle lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Artist controlling the position.
Handle working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Handle loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Artist keeping full guard, as Handle tries to pass.
Handle throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Artist shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Handle misses with a straight left.
Nice jab there from Handle.
Artist fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
The Artist seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Handle misses with a double jab.
Artist half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Handle comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Handle 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Max Handle!
After winning the bout, Max Handle thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.