PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eddie Armstrong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cam Newton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Newton has chosen Superman as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Cam Newton will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Armstrong
vs
Newton

185 cm
36
248 lbs
18 - 10 - 1

196 cm
27
245 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 10 - 1, fighting out of London, Eddie Armstrong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Cam Newton!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Paul Aken and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Newton looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Newton listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
No luck for Armstrong with that takedown attempt.

Armstrong shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Newton's guard.
Armstrong loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Newton looking to hit a scissor sweep but Armstrong is one step ahead there.
Newton working a defensive guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Armstrong looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Armstrong is in close to Newton's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armstrong sitting in guard here, content to control.
Newton wants to stand and escape but Armstrong is having none of it.
Armstrong controlling from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Armstrong missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Newton keeping moving, preventing Armstrong from controlling successfully.
Armstrong won't allow Newton to get back to his feet.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Newton swings for the body but Armstrong moves out of range.

Armstrong feints and as Newton raises his hands in defense, Armstrong changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Armstrong trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Newton wants to stand but Armstrong is controlling the position.
Newton controls Armstrong momentarily but Armstrong frees himself.
Armstrong makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Armstrong trying to control but Newton is working from the bottom.
Armstrong keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Newton's head.
Armstrong looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Newton not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Armstrong 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newton is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Newton wants to stand and escape but Armstrong is having none of it.
Armstrong might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Newton keeping moving, preventing Armstrong from controlling successfully.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Armstrong takes the fight into the clinch.
Newton looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Newton working hard to break the clinch.

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.
Armstrong softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Armstrong turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Armstrong manages to end up in side control.
Armstrong working the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Armstrong is staying tight to Newton's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Newton is not content to let Armstrong control the position.
Armstrong lands a nice forearm strike.
Newton is letting Armstrong control him for a moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Newton is looking for a sweep.
Armstrong throws an elbow but Newton slips to the side and avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Armstrong dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Newton looks to land a right hand but Armstrong moved out of range.
No joy there for Armstrong, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Armstrong works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Newton throws a nice looking combination but Armstrong bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Newton loads up on a big right hand but Armstrong slips the punch.
Armstrong is trying hard to land a takedown here. Newton sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Armstrong blocks a jab.
An attempted straight right counter from Armstrong misses the target.
Armstrong misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Newton throws a body shot but no joy.
A combination from Newton does no damage.
Armstrong avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newton circles away from the clinch attempt.
Armstrong takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A punch combination from Newton misses.
Armstrong fails with the takedown
letting Newton counter with a right hand.
Newton missing with a left hand there. Armstrong was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Armstrong has his takedown stuffed
and Newton counters with a lovely shot to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddie Armstrong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Newton throws a hook but Armstrong avoids it easily.
Armstrong throwing a counter right hand but Newton manages to avoid it.
Armstrong shoots for a double leg takedown but Newton sprawls well. He's pushed Armstrong's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong staying out of range there.
Armstrong misses with a takedown attempt
and Newton counters with a two punch combo.
Eddie Armstrong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Armstrong darts in looking for a takedown but Newton gets double underhooks and turns Armstrong into the cage.
Armstrong shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Newton as he jumps to the side.
Armstrong looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Newton ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Armstrong moves away.
Newton throws a right and a left that Armstrong avoids nicely.
Armstrong gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newton misses with a double jab.
Armstrong scores with a nice head shot.
Newton falls off balance throwing a combination
and Armstrong counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Newton thinking.
Armstrong ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Armstrong tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Newton manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Cam Newton seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Armstrong closes the distance and clinches.

Newton breaks the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Newton.
An attempted straight right counter from Armstrong misses the target.
Eddie Armstrong is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Newton thuds a left hand into Armstrong's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newton misses with a two punch combination.
Newton misses with a two punch combination.
It looked like Armstrong wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Armstrong has been working on his balance at ~T~ Troid - Gym, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Newton.
Armstrong shoots in for a takedown but Newton shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cam Newton is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Newton gets caught flat footed, as Armstrong shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
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!
Armstrong throwing strikes but missing.
Armstrong showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Armstrong stops Newton from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cam Newton showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Armstrong avoids a punch combination nicely.

Oooooh!!! Newton has knocked Armstrong down with a huge combo! Newton steps away and waves a wobbly Armstrong back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

It looks like Eddie Armstrong has been cut.

Armstrong gets a double leg takedown into Newton's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Newton controls Armstrong momentarily but Armstrong frees himself.
Armstrong wants to control from the top but Newton keeps moving.
Newton trying to keep a closed guard but Armstrong is proving a slippery customer.
Newton wants to get back to his feet but Armstrong is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Armstrong trying to control but Newton is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Newton is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Armstrong trying to control the position from guard on top but Newton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Armstrong stops Newton from standing up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Armstrong is defended easily by Newton.
Newton throws a right and a left that Armstrong avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Armstrong slips a straight right by Newton.

Armstrong darts in and clinches Newton up against the cage.
Newton is trying to break the clinch but Armstrong is controlling him.
Newton tries to break free but Armstrong pushes him back against the cage.
Newton is trying to push Armstrong away but Armstrong has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Newton can't break the clinch.
Newton tries to break the clinch but Armstrong is controlling the position.
Armstrong lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Newton backwards.

It looks like Cam Newton has been cut.
Armstrong lands a right hand.
Newton blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Newton prevents the takedown attempt.
A short right from Armstrong.
Armstrong is trying to drag Newton to the mat but Newton just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddie Armstrong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Armstrong is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong goes for a takedown attempt but Newton pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Newton throws a series of punches but Armstrong avoids them all with ease.

Newton gets tackled into the cage by Armstrong. Armstrong maintains the clinch.

Newton breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Newton throws a hook but Armstrong avoids it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Armstrong on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Newton keeps the fight on the outside.
Newton throws a jab when Armstrong was well out of range.
Armstrong lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Armstrong.
Nice defenses there by Armstrong.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Armstrong lands a two punch combo.
Armstrong throws a series of punches but Newton avoids them all with ease.
Armstrong tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Newton defends well and Armstrong ends up having to push Newton into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Newton! But no joy.
Newton throws a hook but Armstrong blocks it.
Armstrong is looking to counter punch.

Armstrong darts in and clinches Newton up against the cage.
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!
Armstrong wants to take the fight to the mat but Newton manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Newton looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A nice right hand lands inside from Armstrong.
Armstrong drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Newton's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Cam Newton.
I think Newton 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cam Newton!
A determined Cam Newton didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!