PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between BJ North (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jorge Samuel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Samuel is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Our Dreams. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

North
vs
Samuel

190 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, BJ North!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jorge Samuel!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Jorge Garcia and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Samuel gets the takedown into side control.
North is trying to control Samuel's posture but Samuel avoids it.
Samuel tries to score with some ground and pound. North controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Samuel throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and North works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
North keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Samuel is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
North has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samuel throws a big right hand that misses.
Samuel wants to pass the guard but North is keeping the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Samuel accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two 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.
Samuel postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Samuel landing with the ground and pound.
North utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Samuel must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Samuel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
North uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Samuel has time to react.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samuel stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from North.
Nice sprawl there from North as Samuel shoots in.
North shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so Samuel counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Samuel trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Samuel avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Samuel throwing strikes from guard but North blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
North managing to control the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Samuel accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

North is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Samuel defends well.
Samuel makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jorge Samuel dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Some wild striking there from North.
Samuel gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and North counters with a three punch combo that has Samuel backing up. Samuel nods at North to acknowledge the strikes.
North shoots and misses

and Samuel counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for North!
Samuel throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for North because Samuel loaded up on that one.
North tries to hold on but Samuel pushes him away.
North wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Samuel.
North holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Samuel tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's one minute gone in the round.
North is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
North tries to hold on but Samuel pushes him away.
North is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Samuel thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Samuel looking to finish North with some ground and pound. This is bad for North!
Samuel sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samuel lands with some strikes.
Samuel throws some wild stikes that North manages to avoid easily.
Samuel thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Samuel throwing strikes but North recovers to half guard. A much better position.
Samuel sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. North defending well though.
Samuel throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Samuel thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing North to regain full guard.
Samuel advances to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samuel not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Samuel throws a strike but North avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Samuel missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
North controls Samuel momentarily but Samuel frees himself.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Samuel in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Samuel pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. North is keeping the position for now.

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.
North is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Samuel gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and North counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Samuel wants to sweep here but North controlling him for the moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Samuel is on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jorge Samuel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Samuel circles away from the clinch attempt

and Samuel decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in North's guard.
Samuel stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. North swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Samuel landing with the ground and pound.
Samuel throwing strikes from guard but North blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samuel is looking to advance position but North has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
North putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
North trying to control but Samuel is having none of it.
Samuel is trying to reverse the position but instead North has taken his back - oops!
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

That's two 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.
You can see the frustration on Samuel's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Samuel is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
North is trying to stick to Samuel's back but Samuel is turning into North. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in North's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Samuel.
North working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Samuel.
Samuel stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. North swivels though and keeps the full guard.
North pulls Samuel in close to prevent any damage.
Samuel lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Samuel throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as North works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
North trying to keep a closed guard but Samuel is proving a slippery customer.
North has momentary wrist control but Samuel slips an elbow through the middle.

Samuel got a little sloppy there for a moment and North has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Samuel has managed to get both his arms back between North's legs - danger averted.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Samuel accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Samuel postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jorge Samuel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Samuel 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight for Jorge Samuel!
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight for Jorge Samuel!
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight for Jorge Samuel!

Jorge Samuel wins by unanimous decision!