PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Justin Ewers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Drew Paul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Justin Ewers has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ewers
vs
Paul

183 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
18
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Justin Ewers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Drew Paul!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Valeri Chadov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paul fails with an attempt to clinch.
Paul fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ewers swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ewers misses with a few strikes there.
Ewers looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ewers fails to land with a series of punches.
Paul shoots in but no luck this time.
Paul fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ewers fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ewers throws a right hand that Paul ducks under and follows up with a left that Paul also avoids with ease.
Ewers misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ewers moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Drew Paul has been cut.
Paul tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ewers swivels and escapes.
Justin Ewers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Drew Paul.
Horrible takedown by Paul or perhaps it was just good defense by Ewers which made him look bad.
Ewers misses with a two punch combination.
Ewers misses with a wild combination.
Paul tries to clinch up.
Ewers keeps the fight on the outside.
Ewers scores with a one two! Paul had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Ewers throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Paul shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ewers as he jumps to the side.
Paul looks gassed!
Ewers misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Paul fails to land the takedown.
Paul dodges the punch combination from Ewers.
Paul shoots in but Ewers avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Ewers throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ewers tries to bum rush Paul with a series of wild strikes but Paul uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Paul shoots for a double leg takedown but Ewers sprawls well. He's pushed Paul's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ewers looks to land a combination but Paul avoids it well.
Ewers swinging wilding here.
Ewers misses with a series of wild punches.

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.
Ewers rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Paul moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ewers throws a series of punches but Paul moves out of range.
Ewers throws a nice looking combination but Paul bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ewers misses with a two punch combination.
A nice combination there by Ewers.
Ewers fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
No joy there for Ewers, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Paul looks for a takedown but Ewers sprawls well.
Ewers throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Paul.
Paul wants to clinch up but Ewers keeps it at a distance.
Paul fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Paul dodges the punch combination from Ewers.
Paul tries to clinch but Ewers moves out of range.
Ewers throws a series of punches but Paul avoids them all with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paul doesn't manage to clinch there - Ewers circles away.
Ewers throws a nice looking combination but Paul bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ewers throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Paul.
Paul fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nice takedown defense from Ewers. No joy for Paul on that attempt.
Ewers throws a series of punches but Paul avoids them all with ease.
Paul tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ewers swivels and escapes.
Paul fails to land the takedown.
Ewers throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ewers fails to land with a series of punches.
Left hook, right uppercut from Ewers.
Paul shoots in for a takedown but Ewers shows good takedown defense.
Paul tries to close the distance and clinch but Ewers swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Paul is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Ewers.
Paul shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Paul tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paul fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ewers manages to avoid it.
Ewers rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Paul moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ewers throws a right and a left that both miss.
Paul closes the distance and clinches up with Ewers, looking for a takedown. Paul pushes Ewers against the cage but Ewers circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ewers misses with a double jab.
Ewers looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Justin Ewers is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Paul tries to clinch but Ewers is having none of it.

Paul fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Ewers sprawls well initially but Paul persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Paul is looking to take a break and control but Ewers is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Paul stops Ewers from getting back to his feet.

Paul is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ewers is not content to let Paul control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Ewers dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Drew Paul's cut.
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.

Paul shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ewers as he avoids it easily.
Paul fails with an attempt to clinch.
A punch combination from Ewers misses.
Ewers misses with a few strikes there.
Ewers misses with a few strikes there.
Ewers tries to bum rush Paul with a series of wild strikes but Paul uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ewers throws a right and a left that Paul avoids nicely.
Paul tries to clinch up.

Paul pushes Ewers up against the cage in a clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Paul.
Ewers wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Paul keeps control of Ewers as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paul scores a nice knee to the body.
Ewers has had enough of the clinch but Paul keeps him there for the moment.
Paul is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ewers is keeping busy.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ewers is trying to break free.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ewers.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul scores with a knee to the head.
Paul scores a nice knee to the body.
Ewers wants to get back to striking at distance but Paul won't allow it.
Paul stalling the fight.
Ewers wants to break free but Paul has control.
Paul scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ewers misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ewers is trying to break the clinch but Paul has him pressed against the cage.
Ewers wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Paul breaks the clinch.
Justin Ewers is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Paul fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ewers misses with a few strikes there.
Paul throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ewers's waist but Ewers gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Paul off to one side.
Justin Ewers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Drew Paul.
Paul tries to clinch but Ewers is having none of it.
Ewers fails to land with a series of punches.
Paul moves in looking to clinch but Ewers pushes him off.
Ewers throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ewers avoids the head kick by Paul.
Ewers tries to bum rush Paul with a series of wild strikes but Paul uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ewers swats away the attempt to clinch by Paul.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ewers throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Paul is looking to clinch but Ewers is avoiding it.
Some wild striking there from Ewers.
Paul avoids a punch combination nicely.
Paul shoots in but no luck this time.
Nice takedown defense from Ewers. No joy for Paul on that attempt.
Paul is looking to clinch.
Ewers keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nice sprawl there from Ewers as Paul shoots in.

Paul looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Paul trying to control from half guard but Ewers is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paul is working for a submission of some sort.

Paul stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Nice sprawl there from Ewers as Paul shoots in.
Ewers throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Paul.
Ewers misses with a two punch combination.
Ewers throws a right and a left that Paul avoids nicely.
Paul looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ewers is fending him off so far but Paul persists. Nope, Ewers circles away and we're back to standing.
Ewers circles away from the clinch attempt.
Paul fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Paul closes the distance and clinches up with Ewers, looking for a takedown. Paul pushes Ewers against the cage but Ewers circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ewers misses with a wild combination.
Ewers fails to land with a series of punches.
Ewers scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Ewers lands a two punch combo.
Paul looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ewers is fending him off so far but Paul persists. Nope, Ewers circles away and we're back to standing.
Ewers throws a right and a left that Paul avoids nicely.
Paul shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Paul doesn't manage to clinch there - Ewers circles away.
Ewers closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Paul fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ewers looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ewers stuffs the takedown.
Ewers throws a nice looking combination but Paul bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Crunch! Paul slams his shin into Ewers's torso.
Paul dodges the punch combination from Ewers.

Paul shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Paul dodges the punch combination from Ewers.
Paul misses with a takedown attempt - Ewers sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ewers fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ewers throws a right and a left that Paul avoids nicely.
Ewers throws a right and a left that Paul avoids nicely.
Paul fails with a takedown attempt.
Ewers misses with a two punch combination.
Paul lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ewers's sensitive parts.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ewers will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ewers avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ewers swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Paul takes the fight into the clinch.
Ewers working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul with a knee to the head.
Paul prevents Ewers from breaking the clinch.

Paul pulls guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Paul wants to sweep but no luck.
Ewers won't allow Paul to get back to his feet.

Ewers stands up and waves to Paul to follow him.
Ewers throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Paul.
Ewers misses with a few strikes there.
Ewers misses with a series of wild punches.
Paul tries to close the distance and clinch but Ewers swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ewers swinging wilding here.
Ewers misses with a double jab.
Ewers throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

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.
Ewers throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ewers takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Ewers throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ewers looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A combination from Ewers does no damage.
Danga de danga de dang - Ewers scores with a four punch combination!
Ewers fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Paul wants to clinch.

Paul closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Paul lands in his opponent's guard.
Paul with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ewers wants to stand and escape but Paul is having none of it.

Paul decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ewers misses with a series of wild punches.
A combination from Ewers does no damage.
Paul throws a nice head kick!
Paul moves in looking to clinch but Ewers pushes him off.
Ewers will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ewers throws a series of punches but Paul moves out of range.
Paul tries to close the distance and clinch but Ewers swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ewers misses with a two punch combination.
Paul avoids a punch combination nicely.
Paul looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Justin Ewers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Drew Paul.
Ewers swinging wilding here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ewers keeps the fight on the outside.
Paul closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ewers circles away.
Paul shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ewers pinned against the cage. Ewers gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ewers throws a series of punches but Paul moves out of range.
Paul fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ewers fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Paul fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ewers stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Paul.
Ewers looks to land a combination but Paul avoids it well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Paul is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Paul looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Paul wants to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Drew Paul comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Paul 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Drew Paul!