PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Maui Built (ranked 102 p4p, 6 weight class) and Buck Futter (ranked 710 p4p, 39 weight class). Built's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Skills. This should be fireworks!

Built
vs
Futter

167 cm
26
138 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

159 cm
30
144 lbs
21 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition - Q160
Aspire Nutrition

Bullet Proof System
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Maui Built!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Buck Futter!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Josh West and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Built throws a leg kick

and Futter counters with a nice double leg into side control. Built won't be happy with that.
Built has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Futter wants to lay and pray for a moment but Built keeps working.
Built is letting Futter control him for a moment.
Built wants to get back to his feet but Futter drags him back down.
Built tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Futter wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Futter advances nicely into full mount.
Built can't escape the position.
Futter lands a big elbow.
Built tries to lock up and control but Futter gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Futter landing strikes from the mount.
Futter scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Built?
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Futter working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Built wants to control but Futter is having none of it.
Futter lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Built slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Built trying to control here.
Futter keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Built controlling the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Futter is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Built has managed to free his arm - good work.
Futter is keen to just control but Built is a slippery customer.
Built is trying to maintain the position but Futter is very close to passing his half guard.
Futter has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Futter lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Nice strikes from Futter there.
Futter is thwarting Built's attempts to control the position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Futter connects with a nice short shot to Built's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Futter wants to lay and pray for a moment but Built keeps working.
Futter frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Built can't escape the position.
Built tries to hold on but Futter postures up.
Built is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Futter trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Futter goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Built turns into him and now he's in Futter's guard.

Futter working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Built has passed into half guard!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Futter looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Built tries to pass the half guard into mount. Futter knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Built controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Futter wants to control but Built is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Futter looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Futter is refusing to be controlled, as Built sits in half guard.

Futter looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Built wants to free his trapped foot but Futter is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Futter looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Futter defending well as Built loads up on a big left hand.
Futter fails with a takedown attempt.
Maui Built seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Built throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A shot to the liver by Built. Beautiful body shot.

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

Futter is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Built defends it well.
Built makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Built.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Built is trying to control the position but Futter postures up.
Futter keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Built's head.
Futter slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Built is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Futter postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Buck Futter has got the better of the ground game so far.
Futter passes into half guard.
Futter not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Futter throwing shots but Built is blocking nicely.
Built trying to control here.
Built wants to improve his position but Futter is controlling well.
Futter landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Built is looking to improve his position.
Built manages to get to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Built working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Futter.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Futter's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Built working a defensive guard here.
Futter postures up in Built's guard and throws a big left but Built blocks it.
Built trying to keep a closed guard but Futter is proving a slippery customer.
Futter wants to control from the top but Built keeps moving.
Built trying to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Futter is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Futter pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Built is keeping the position for now.
Built has his hands on Futter's head, controlling the position.
Built working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Futter.
Futter trying to control but Built is working from the bottom.
Futter chips away with some ground and pound.
Futter wants to control from the top but Built keeps moving.
Futter trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Futter throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Built works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Futter landing with the ground and pound.
Built controlling Futter's posture.
Futter trying to control the position from guard on top but Built is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Futter throwing strikes but missing.
Built is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Futter is looking to work some ground and pound but Built has wrist control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Built has Futter pulled in close to control his posture.
Futter throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Buck Futter showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Built misses with a body shot.
Built throws a leg kick but Futter checks it.
Built throws a body shot but no joy.
Built lands a jab to the nose.
Built throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Futter has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Futter takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Futter defending well as Built loads up on a big left hand.
Built moves into range and connects with a jab.
Built looks to score with a jab to the body but Futter is just out of range.
Futter cracks Built with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Futter steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Built.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Futter shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Built as he jumps to the side.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Built, as that shot connected.
Futter throws a hook but Built avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Built throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Built throws a shot from downtown. Futter moves away and avoids it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Built. Futter does a little dance to reset his feet.
Futter is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Built misses with a body shot.
Built sizes up Futter with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Futter scores with a jab to the head.
Built moves out of range as Futter strikes.
Built has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Futter finds it's way round the side to connect with Built's head.
Futter moves out of range of the body kick.
Futter on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Nice defenses there by Futter.
Built swings widly with a right hand

and Futter decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Built's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Futter wants to control from the top but Built keeps moving.
Built trying to keep a closed guard but Futter is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Futter with a flurry of punches that miss.
Futter working some strikes from top position.
Futter trying to control the position from guard on top but Built is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Built wants to get back to his feet but Futter is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Built trying to control the position.
Built can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Futter controls the pace.
Built is trying to control the position but Futter postures up.
Futter lands a couple of elbows.
Built is pulling down on Futter's head. It's preventing any offense from Futter, at least for the moment.
Futter passes Built's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Built tries to get to full guard but Futter has control of the leg.
Futter lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Futter seems to be looking for submissions.
Built wants to control but Futter is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Futter working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The fighters are battling for position here. Built manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Futter trying to control the position from guard on top but Built is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Futter is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Futter scoring with punches to the head and body.
Built controlling the position.
Futter is in close to Built's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Futter trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Futter wants to control from the top but Built keeps moving.
Built trying to keep a closed guard but Futter is proving a slippery customer.
Futter throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Built works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Futter with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Futter throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Built keeping full guard, as Futter tries to pass.
Built controlling Futter's posture.
Futter keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Built's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Buck Futter just about did enough to take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Futter slips under a jab.
Futter looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Built swings for the body but Futter moves out of range.
Built gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Futter counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Futter passes into side control, despite Built's attempt to control the position.
Futter is chipping away with strikes.
Futter takes a little break here. Built wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
You can see the frustration on Built's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Futter is looking to take a break and control but Built is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Futter might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Built haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Built is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Futter trying to control the position but Built is working away.
Futter controls the position from side control.
You can see the frustration on Built's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Futter lands some shots froms side control.
Built is looking for a sweep.
Futter trying to control the action but Built is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Built gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Futter is looking for a kimura but Built is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Futter to get the leverage.
Built wants to improve his position but Futter is controlling well.
Futter not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Futter prevents Built from improving his position.
Futter lands with a punch from half guard.
Built trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Built tries to roll over but Futter keeps him under control.
Built trying to hold on to Futter's head to control him but Futter postures up.
Futter wants to free his trapped foot but Built is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Built has his hands clasped together around Futter's back. He's all about the action.
Futter missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Futter moves nicely into side control.
Futter scores with a couple of short elbows.
Built is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Built is not content to let Futter control the position.
Built is holding Futter down, trying to stall.

Futter goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Built has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Futter but great work by Built.
You can see the frustration on Futter's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Built wants to lay and pray for a moment but Futter keeps working.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Built taking a breather here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Buck Futter dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Built enables Futter to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Built manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Futter trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Futter slips nicely into half guard.
Built wants to improve his position but Futter is controlling well.
Built trying to control from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Futter perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Built regains full guard. Nicely done.
Futter sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Built pulls Futter in close to his closed guard and prevents Futter from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Futter trying to control but Built is working from the bottom.
Futter postures up in Built's guard and throws a big left but Built blocks it.
Futter controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Maui Built has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Buck Futter is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Maui Built is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Built fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Futter is out of range.
Built lands a slapping body shot.
Futter goes for a double leg but Built avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Built continues to drive forward.
A quick step to the side and Built tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Built lands with an uppercut that bounces Futter off the cage and back into range.
Built lands with a shot to the body.

Futter looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Built!
Built wants to control but Futter postures up.
Futter working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Built can't do much from the bottom here.
Futter scoring with punches from side control.
You can see the frustration on Built's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Built is looking to reverse the position.

Futter is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Built knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Built is trying to improve his position.
Futter cracks Built with a big right hand but Built just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Check out the look on Futter's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Built tries to bench press Futter off him but Futter keeps the position.
Futter working away.
Built is looking for a sweep.
Futter landing a few strikes.
Built wants to control but Futter postures up.
Futter scoring with punches from side control.
Check out the look on Futter's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Futter looks up at the clock and then as Built takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Futter smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

Futter tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Futter wants to control but Built is keeping him busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Built tries to get back to half guard but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
Buck Futter comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Futter 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 45:50
Judge Josh West scores the fight 45:50
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Buck Futter!
Buck Futter is the new bantamweight champion!
A relieved looking Buck Futter thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.