PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between James Brown (ranked 5354 p4p, 4856 weight class) and Mac Rat (ranked 502 p4p, 476 weight class). Rat is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Caprice No.24. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Brown
vs
Rat

185 cm
22
165
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
160
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, James Brown!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mac Rat!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Roger Salmon and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rat rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Brown moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Brown scores with a nice body kick.
A left and a right from Rat both land. Nice combination.

Rat shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Rat is thwarting Brown's attempts to control the position.
Rat controlling the action here.
Brown is looking to escape.
Brown trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rat passes into side control, despite Brown's attempt to control the position.
Rat prevents Brown from escaping the position.
Brown is looking to regain half guard here but Rat keeps moving and retains side control.
Rat working away.
Rat is looking to take a break and control but Brown is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Brown is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Rat asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Brown struggling a bit here.
Brown is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Rat has just dragged him back down to the mat.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Brown tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rat wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Brown sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Brown pushes Rat off looking to stand but Rat dives back in and keeps control.
Rat wants to pass the guard but Brown is defending well.
Rat prevents Brown from improving his position.
Brown wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Rat tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Brown dives in and grabs Rat's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rat pushes down on Brown's head and hops out.
Brown looks to throw a body kick

and Rat moves into the clinch.

Rat's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rat on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Brown. Brown obviously looking to wear him down.
Brown looks to land a combination but Rat avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rat moves out of range of the body kick.
Brown is looking to land body kicks.
Good exchange - Rat coming out on top.

Rat has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rat has Brown pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Brown manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rat looks winded!

Brown breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rat moves out of range of the body kick.
Brown throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
James Brown seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rat shoots in but no luck this time.
Rat steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Brown. That one must have hurt.
Rat shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Rat blocks the body kick.
Brown stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Brown wants it to stay on the feet.
James Brown has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mac Rat.
Brown fails with a takedown attempt.
Brown throws the kick towards the body but Rat avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brown thows a body kick. Rat tries to catch it but that hurt him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Brown misses with a two punch combination.
Rat is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Brown pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Brown.
Brown misses with a series of wild punches.
Brown displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rat.
A head kick misses from Brown.
Rat is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Brown.
Brown misses with a jab, cross combination.
Brown tries for a takedown but Rat sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A combination from Brown does no damage.
Rat is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Brown throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Rat avoids the head kick by Brown.
Rat shoots for a double leg takedown but Brown sprawls well. He's pushed Rat's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Brown dominated that round.
That's time! Brown's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

No joy there for Brown, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rat changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Brown tries to avoid it but Rat manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Brown to the ground. Brown escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Rat moves into the clinch.
Brown letting Rat take a breather here.
Rat is trying to stall.

Brown breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Brown changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rat tries to avoid it but Brown manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rat to the ground. Rat escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rat tries for a takedown but Brown sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brown shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Brown lunges at Rat with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rat's hand.
Brown shoots in looking for a takedown. Rat tries to sprawl out of it but Brown keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rat manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Brown. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brown dives in and grabs Rat's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rat pushes down on Brown's head and hops out.
Brown stuffs the takedown attempt from Rat. Rat gets slowly back to his feet.
Brown throws a push kick but Rat slaps the foot to one side.
Brown moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Brown is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rat can do to turn this around?
Brown misses with an attempted mid kick.
Brown fails with a takedown attempt.
Brown throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Brown misses with a double jab.
Rat takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Brown shoots in looking for a takedown but Rat manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Brown's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
James Brown is winning the standup battle so far.

Rat shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brown tries to kick Rat off but Rat keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Brown pushes Rat off and gets back to his feet.
James Brown is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Brown tries for a takedown but Rat sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Brown shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Rat makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Rat shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Brown as he jumps to the side.
Brown feints and then cracks Rat's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rat down.
Rat has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Brown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brown misses with a wild combination.
Brown darts in looking for a takedown but Rat gets double underhooks and turns Brown into the cage.

Brown gets caught napping as Rat dives in and scores a takedown. Brown manages to retain guard.
Brown bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rat's guard.

Rat seems keen to control Brown's posture.
Brown won't allow Rat to sweep him here.
Rat has a closed guard, preventing Brown from standing up.
Brown stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rat swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Brown wanted to stand there but Rat had control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rat keeping moving, preventing Brown from controlling successfully.
Rat looking to hit a scissor sweep but Brown is one step ahead there.
Brown looking to pass the guard.
Brown controls from within his opponent's guard.
Brown is looking to stand up but Rat won't let him.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that James Brown will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Brown tries a head kick but it misses.
Rat scores with a crisp jab that stopped Brown in his tracks.

Rat scores with a takedown into Brown's guard.
Brown is wriggling around but Rat manages to pass to half guard.

Brown is trying to stand back up but Rat is controlling him
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brown has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rat is working away from the top position though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Rat is trying to work for a kimura but Brown is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brown is looking to control Rat's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Brown avoid being mounted?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rat sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Rat prevents Brown from standing back up.
Rat wants to take a breather but Brown is having none of it.
Brown slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Brown working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rat doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rat manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rat 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.

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.
Rat stops Brown from standing up.

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

Rat closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
You can see the frustration on Brown's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Brown pushes Rat away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Rat gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Brown throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Brown fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rat will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Brown lands with a slapping head kick.
Brown dives in and grabs Rat's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rat pushes down on Brown's head and hops out.
Brown lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Rat throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Brown's waist but Brown gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rat off to one side.
Brown throws a right hand that Rat ducks under and follows up with a left that Rat also avoids with ease.
Brown leaves Rat with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
James Brown has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mac Rat.

Rat looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Brown is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rat is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brown wants to stand up but Rat is controlling him.
Rat slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Brown is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rat throwing strikes from guard but Brown blocks nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Brown is trying to keep Rat in close.
Brown wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but James Brown did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Rat misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Brown misses with a jab, cross combination.
Brown tries to land a front kick but Rat steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rat takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Brown stuffs the takedown.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Brown fails with the takedown.
Rat darts in looking for a takedown but Brown gets double underhooks and turns Rat into the cage.
James Brown has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mac Rat.
Brown lands with a kick to the ribs.
Brown 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.
Brown looks to land a combination but Rat avoids it well.

Brown gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Rat to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Rat prevents Brown from getting back to his feet.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rat is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Brown working a defensive guard here.
Rat forces his way into half guard.
Brown controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Rat prevents Brown from standing back up.
Brown controlling the position for now.

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.
Rat perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Brown is looking for a sweep. Rat is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Rat is working for a submission of some sort.
Rat stops Brown from getting back to his feet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Brown throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Rat misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Brown.
Rat on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Brown tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rat sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Brown somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brown throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Brown manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Rat on his heels. He'll look to pass Rat's guard now, I'm sure.
Rat looking for a sweep. Not yet Rat, not yet.

Brown decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Rat, up you get!
Brown fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Brown shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Rat pushes Brown off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Brown has a takedown stuffed.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rat shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Brown pinned against the cage. Brown gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Brown tries to bum rush Rat with a series of wild strikes but Rat uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rat changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Brown throws a lazy body kick

and Rat counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Brown manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Rat keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Rat tries to score a body lock takedown but Brown shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Rat goes for a takedown in the clinch but Brown prevents it.
Rat is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Brown pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Brown's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Brown fails with the takedown.
A left and a right from Brown both land. Nice combination.
Brown tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rat defends well and Brown ends up having to push Rat into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Brown keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Brown had his way with Mac Rat in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Rat avoids the head kick by Brown.
Nice takedown defense from Rat. No joy for Brown on that attempt.
Brown fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Horrible takedown attempt by Brown or perhaps it was just good defense by Rat, which made it look bad.
Rat shoots in looking for a takedown. Brown tries to sprawl out of it but Rat keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Brown manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Brown is defended easily by Rat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Brown. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brown keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Brown. Rat shrugs it off though.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
No luck for Rat with that takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brown delivers a nice body kick.
Brown misses with a takedown attempt - Rat sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Brown looks to land a body kick but Rat moved away.

Brown gets caught flat footed, as Rat shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Rat thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Rat won't allow Brown to get back to his feet.
Brown looking to control.

Rat gets to his feet. Brown looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Brown shoots in but Rat avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rat tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Brown defends well and Rat ends up having to push Brown into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Brown pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Brown swinging wildly here.
Both fighters circling a little - Brown finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

Brown closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Rat throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Rat drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Brown tries to escape but Rat is in control.
Rat controlling from side mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brown wants to get back to his feet but Rat drags him back down.
Mac Rat has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mac Rat has got the better of the ground game so far.
Brown struggling a bit here.
Brown is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Rat is controlling him well.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four 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.

Brown drives through with a takedown into guard.
Brown has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Rat is proving hard to escape from.

Brown decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Rat, up you get!

Brown closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rat did well to prevent Brown getting side control.

Rat kicks off Brown and gets to his feet.
A head kick misses from Brown.
Brown tries a head kick but it misses.
Rat will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rat tries to close the distance and clinch but Brown swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rat moves out of range as Brown throws a body kick.
Rat looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
James Brown is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Brown lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rat at a distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mac Rat.
I think Brown has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 49:46
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 49:46
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... James Brown!
James Brown is the new lightweight champion!
The defeated Mac Rat had this to say: 'Well, guess I'll go back to tweeting'.