PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jerrell Goodman (ranked 24920 p4p, 0 weight class) and Best French (ranked 6908 p4p, 0 weight class). Best French will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Goodman
vs
French

165 cm
18
214 lbs
0 - 2 - 1

183 cm
18
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, Jerrell Goodman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Best French!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Reed Andrews and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Goodman tries to clinch up.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Goodman.
French is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Goodman with a body shot.

Goodman gets caught flat footed, as French shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Goodman pushes French off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Goodman tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Goodman tries to clinch there but French circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
French wants to clinch up but Goodman keeps it at a distance.

Goodman has French up against the cage in a clinch.
Goodman has French pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. French manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
French misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Goodman could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Goodman keeps the fight in the clinch, despite French's efforts to push away.
French misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Goodman changes levels and goes for a takedown here. French fights it off and pushes away nicely.

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.

Goodman closes the distance and clinches.
French wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Goodman has him pressed against the cage.

Goodman has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics French uses from the top position.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

French drives through with a takedown into guard.
Goodman keeping moving, preventing French from controlling successfully.
Goodman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Goodman is working hard here to advance position.
Goodman being controlled here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
French wants to stand but Goodman is controlling his posture from full guard.
French stopping the sweep attempt from Goodman.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
French controlling from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jerrell Goodman will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

French closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Goodman's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
French showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
French really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Goodman. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
French wants to get up but he can't break Goodman's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Goodman might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goodman wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goodman pulls French in close to prevent any damage.
French trying to control but Goodman is working from the bottom.
French tries to stand but Goodman is controlling from the bottom.
Goodman looking for a sweep. Not yet Goodman, not yet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

French throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Goodman was covering up waiting for the punch and French finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goodman manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. French manages to get himself to full guard.

Goodman trying to stand up but can't free himself from French's guard.

Goodman stands up and waves to French to follow him.
French jabs at Goodman's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goodman falls off balance throwing a combination
and French counters with a nice kick to the body.
Goodman misses with a right hand
and French counters with a body kick.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Goodman enables French to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Goodman manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
French wants to stand but Goodman is controlling his posture from full guard.
Goodman lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goodman is looking to work some ground and pound but French has wrist control.
Goodman stops French from standing up.

French is working an open guard so Goodman takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Goodman dives in and grabs French's left leg, looking for a takedown. French pushes down on Goodman's head and hops out.
French swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Goodman gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows French to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Goodman looking to hit a scissor sweep but French is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Best French showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

French looking to score a takedown here. Goodman is defending well but French drives through and ends up in Goodman's guard.

Goodman kicks French off and gets to his feet.

French shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Goodman tries to regain full guard. Instead though, French has advanced to mount. Uh oh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goodman holds on for dear life, controlling French's posture momentarily.
Goodman is wriggling around trying to escape.
Goodman regains half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with French in particular looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

French decides to stand and escape the position.
Goodman fails in his attempt to clinch.
A nice side step and French releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

Goodman closes the distance and clinches.
Goodman wants to take the fight to the mat but French manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Goodman is trying to drag French to the mat but French just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
French misses with a punch to the body.
Goodman tries for a takedown but French manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jerrell Goodman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
French wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
French effectively controlling the action here.
French scores with a hook to the body.
Goodman is trying to drag French to the mat but French just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
French prevents a takedown attempt there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Best French comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well French has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Best French!