PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Travis Bickle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Graeme Symons (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bickle comes into the arena with Edu Kehäkettunen & Stig Dogg - Kullii blaring out of the sound system. Travis Bickle has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Bickle
vs
Symons

185 cm
30
176 lbs
21 - 5 - 0

170 cm
34
171 lbs
17 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Namunamu Clothing

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 21 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Travis Bickle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Graeme Symons!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Steven Brown and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bickle misses with a left hand
enabling Symons to counter with a crisp jab.
A jab from Symons misses.
Symons tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bickle swivels and escapes.
Symons blocks a head kick by Bickle.
Bickle lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Symons uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bickle.
A telegraphed right hand from Bickle misses the target.
Symons swings for the body but Bickle moves out of range.
Symons walks into a stiff left hand from Bickle.
Symons misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bickle.
Bickle is looking to counter with head kicks.
Nice defenses there by Bickle.
Bickle misses the shot to the body.
Symons connects with a good right hand that stumbles Bickle. Bickle circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Symons lands a nice hook to Bickle's body. Bickle takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Bickle misses with a straight left.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bickle throws a quick inside leg kick.
Bickle attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Symons lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Symons shoots in but no luck this time.
Symons fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Symons blocks a leg kick.
Bickle bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A telegraphed right hand from Symons misses the target.
Bickle slips a straight right by Symons.
Symons misses the shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Symons. Bickle does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bickle misses with a wild body shot.
Symons fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bickle manages to avoid it.
Nice shot by Symons.
Bickle lands a head shot.
Bickle walks into a stiff left hand from Symons.
Symons has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.

Bickle tries to keep at a distance but Symons has taken the fight into the clinch.
Bickle misses with some punches.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A head punch on the inside from Symons fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bickle lands with a right to the head.
Bickle misses with a short punch on the inside.
Symons misses with a punch on the inside.
Bickle lands with a light punch inside.
Bickle tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bickle is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Travis Bickle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Graeme Symons.
Bickle goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Our sources have told us that Bickle has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Bickle throws a head punch that misses.
Bickle misses with some punches.
Symons's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Symons has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Bickle clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bickle is trying to break free.
Symons trying to control.
Symons lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Symons lands punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bickle's corner are yelling at him, telling him to just focus on controlling Symons's hands.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Symons tries to get the hooks in deep but Bickle pushed the leg off.
Symons gets his hands free as Bickle looks to control.
Symons doesn't have the hooks in and Bickle manages to turn into his guard.
Bickle pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Symons is keeping the position for now.
Symons is trying to keep Bickle in close.
Symons keeping full guard, as Bickle tries to pass.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Symons looking for a guillotine here but Bickle defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Symons has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bickle can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Symons escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bickle gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Bickle seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Bickle trying to control the position from guard on top but Symons is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Symons is on top in guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Graeme Symons will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bickle swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bickle misses with a body shot.
Bickle throws a jab but it's blocked by Symons.
Bickle lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Bickle walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Symons checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Symons scores with a nice head shot.
Symons throws a shot to the body.
A swing and a miss from Bickle.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Symons! But no joy.
The fighters circling - Bickle throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Symons keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Symons uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bickle.
Bickle tries to land a front kick but Symons steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bickle is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Symons.
Symons dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Symons ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bickle moves away.
Bickle throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
And Symons tries to counter it with a takedown but Bickle pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Bickle takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bickle pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Symons fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bickle manages to avoid it.
Bickle fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Symons has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Symons throws a body shot but no joy.
Symons throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bickle seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Bickle pivots, looking for a leg kick but Symons is out of range and Bickle settles back down.
Symons tries to land a leg kick but Bickle saw it coming and moves away.
Bickle is looking to counter with a body kick.
Symons tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bickle was well out of range. Poor timing from Symons.
Bickle fires out a quick counter leg kick but Symons just manages to avoid it.
Bickle is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Symons misses with a jab to the body
and Bickle counters with a body kick that stops Symons in his tracks momentarily.
Bickle thows a body kick. Symons tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Symons throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
An attempted straight right counter from Bickle misses the target.
A solid leg kick lands there for Bickle.
A jab from Symons misses.
Bickle throws a right hand that misses
and Bickle takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Travis Bickle is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bickle tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bickle throws a hook but Symons blocks it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Symons. Bickle does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bickle looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Symons swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bickle throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Symons is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Symons is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Bickle rather than just go for the knockout.
Symons looks to score with a jab to the body but Bickle is just out of range.
Bickle lands with a nice body punch.
Bickle cracks Symons with a right hand to the side of the head.
Bickle connects with a nice looking jab.
Symons stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Symons dives in and scores a takedown into Bickle's guard.
Symons postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Bickle has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Bickle will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Symons landing some decent shots from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Symons forces his way into half guard.
Symons thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bickle's head.

Bickle looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Symons working Bickle over with strikes.

Bickle is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Symons pulls his head out easily.
Bickle is refusing to be controlled, as Symons sits in half guard.

That's four 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.
Bickle avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Symons.
Symons seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Symons lands with a punch from half guard.
Symons thows a huge punch but Bickle dodges it nicely.
Bickle gets full guard.
Symons connects with a couple of short punches.
Bickle is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Graeme Symons has got the better of the ground game so far.
Symons is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Graeme Symons showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Symons avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bickle uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Symons.
Travis Bickle is winning the standup battle so far.
Symons lands with a nice combination. Bickle backs away looking to recover.
Bickle walks into a stiff left hand from Symons.
Symons throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Symons scores with a hook.
Jab, jab by Symons - just one landing.
Symons thuds his right hand into Bickle's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Bickle checks a low kick from Symons.
Symons takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Symons throws a lazy right hand but Bickle sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Symons walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bickle connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Bickle uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Symons.
Symons digs a good body shot into Bickle's ribs.
Symons tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bickle was well out of range. Poor timing from Symons.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Symons blocks a leg kick.
Symons misses with a shot to the body

and Bickle holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Bickle blocks an elbow strike.
Symons working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Symons misses with a punch on the inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Bickle.
Bickle is working Symons over against the cage.
Symons takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bickle lands with a right to the head.
A body shot lands from Bickle.
Bickle displaying some good clinch control by pressing Symons up against the cage.
Bickle scores with a shot to the side of Symons's head.
Symons misses with some punches.
Bickle lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Bickle lands a shot to the body.
Bickle prevents a body shot from Symons.
Bickle lands with a right to the head.
Travis Bickle has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Symons lands a shoulder strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bickle takes a shot to the head.
Bickle lands a right hand.
Symons blocks a body shot from Bickle.
Bickle struggles to land a body shot inside as Symons controls his hands.
Symons blocking some punches.
Bickle misses with some punches.
Bickle blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A nice left hand lands by Bickle.
Bickle scores with a nice hook to the head.
Symons lands with a right to the head.
Symons has a couple of punches blocked by Bickle.
Travis Bickle has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Bickle misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bickle lands with a left to the head.
Bickle digs a right hand underneath Symons's ribcage. Symons let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Bickle lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Bickle lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Symons backwards.
Bickle swings wildly with an uppercut but Symons uses good head movement to avoid it.
Symons misses with the head strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bickle being controlled against the cage.
Symons blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bickle misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short left from Symons.
Bickle tries to throw a body punch but Symons avoids it by throwing Bickle back against the cage.
Symons stalling in the clinch but Bickle improves position.
Bickle blocks a body shot from Symons.
Bickle misses with the head strike.
Bickle goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bickle misses with a punch to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Bickle.
Bickle scores with a shot to the side of Symons's head.
Bickle pushes Symons back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Symons.
Symons misses with the head strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Symons is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Graeme Symons is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bickle softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Bickle misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bickle blocks an uppercut.
Symons lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Bickle can't find room to land a body shot as Symons controls the action.
Symons is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Bickle tries to work over Symons's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Symons.
A head punch on the inside from Symons fails to land.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bickle lands a right hand that snaps the head of Symons backwards.
Bickle lands a body shot in the clinch.
A short uppercut from Bickle.
A right hand to the body from Bickle.
Symons swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bickle lands with a light punch inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Travis Bickle showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Symons 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Graeme Symons!
A very excited looking Graeme Symons made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.