PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Chris Welch (ranked 3760 p4p, 3961 weight class) and Kane Jones (ranked 530 p4p, 553 weight class). Chris Welch has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Welch
vs
Jones

190 cm
25
195
2 - 2 - 0

185 cm
25
198
1 - 1 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Chris Welch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kane Jones!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Mauricio Rocha and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Welch shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Jones as he avoids it easily.
Welch shoots in looking for a takedown. Jones tries to sprawl out of it but Welch keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Jones manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A nice leg kick lands there from Jones.

Jones has closed the distance and engaged Welch in a clinch.

Welch successfully pulls guard.

Welch has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Jones is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Welch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Welch is trying to get back to half guard.
Welch sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Welch is concentrating on defense, preventing Jones from advancing position.
Jones looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Jones really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Welch. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Welch is trying to get back to full guard.
Welch keeping hold of Jones's head, controlling as best he can.

Welch manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Jones keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones fails to pull guard.

Welch manages to break the clinch.
No luck for Jones with that takedown attempt.

Welch darts in and clinches Jones up against the cage.

Welch jumps guard and drags Jones to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Welch wants to sweep here but Jones controlling him for the moment.
Jones tries to free his leg and advance position but Welch is retaining full guard.

Jones avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Welch is on top in guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones looking to hit a scissor sweep but Welch is one step ahead there.
Welch wants to stand but Jones is controlling his posture from full guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Welch's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Welch forces his way into half guard.
Welch has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Jones wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Welch.
Welch controlling from mount.
Welch prevents Jones from getting the reversal.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Welch sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Welch trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Welch dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Jones shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Jones showed some decent athleticism there.
Jones is just content to waste time from the top position. Welch takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Welch is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Jones can do to turn this around?
Welch keeping full guard, as Jones tries to pass.
Welch tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Welch managing to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones trying to control the position from guard on top but Welch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Welch striking from the bottom.
Jones wants to control from the top but Welch keeps moving.
Welch wants to control the position but Jones says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Welch is looking to escape.
Welch is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Well, if Jones is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

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

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

Welch closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Jones did well to prevent Welch getting side control.
Welch perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Welch wants to lay and pray for a moment but Jones keeps working.

Jones is looking to regain full guard. He's left an arm up in the air though and Welch has latched onto it... Big trouble! Welch pivots for an armbar - it's in tight and it Jones is tapping in no time flat! Great counter grappling there from Welch!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Chris Welch!