PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jay Cartwright (ranked 3298 p4p, 3624 weight class) and Hiroshi Papo (ranked 204 p4p, 219 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Cartwright
vs
Papo

178 cm
30
143
12 - 7 - 0

160 cm
34
140
8 - 10 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jay Cartwright!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Hiroshi Papo!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Roger Salmon and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cartwright throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Papo tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Cartwright is in Papo's guard.
Cartwright trying to move into half guard but instead Papo has managed to sweep!

Cartwright has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Papo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Cartwright looking to hit a scissor sweep but Papo is one step ahead there.

Papo got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cartwright has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Papo has managed to get both his arms back between Cartwright's legs - danger averted.

Cartwright has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Papo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Papo slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Papo lands a couple of elbows.
Cartwright will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Papo not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Let's hope that Papo has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Papo won't allow Cartwright to sweep him here.
Papo controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

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

Cartwright is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Papo is aware though and is defending well.
Cartwright is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Cartwright working for a triangle but Papo defends it easily.
Papo is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's two 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.

Cartwright escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Papo gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Papo sitting in guard, not really doing much.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Papo.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Cartwright looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Papo passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Papo scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Papo is taking a breather. Cartwright says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Cartwright is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Papo pulls his head out easily.
Papo performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
It looks like Papo might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Papo looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Cartwright with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Papo is taking a breather. Cartwright says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Papo seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Cartwright looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Papo keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Papo tries to pass to full mount but Cartwright defends it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Still in half guard, Papo seems content to control.

Cartwright looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Papo content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Hiroshi Papo will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Papo fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Cartwright to the ground. Papo is now in Cartwright's guard.
Papo stays in close to Cartwright's body and controls the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Cartwright is on top in guard.

Cartwright stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Papo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cartwright trying to control but Papo is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Papo pulls Cartwright in to control the position.
Papo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Cartwright looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Papo controlling the action here.

Cartwright actively working from the bottom here.

Cartwright looking for submissions off his back.
Cartwright slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Papo sitting in guard here, content to control.
Cartwright tries to land a sweep but no joy.

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.

Cartwright had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Papo defends it easily.
Papo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Papo not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Cartwright looking for a guillotine here but Papo defends easily.
Papo sitting in guard here, content to control.
Cartwright wants to sweep but no luck.
Papo sitting in guard here, content to control.

Cartwright looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Papo controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cartwright is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Papo defends well.
Papo sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Papo lands a couple of decent looking shots.

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.
Papo is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Cartwright looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Cartwright can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Papo controls the pace.
Yet more stalling tactics from Papo.

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

Papo feints and as Cartwright raises his hands in defense, Papo changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Papo is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hiroshi Papo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Cartwright's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Papo scores with a takedown into Cartwright's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Cartwright has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Papo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cartwright keeping full guard, as Papo tries to pass.
Papo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Papo's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Papo lands a couple of elbows.
Papo showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Papo's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

Cartwright throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Cartwright is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Papo is aware though and is defending well.

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.
Cartwright looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Papo looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Cartwright working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Papo has passed into half guard!
Cartwright trying to get back to full guard but Papo takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Hiroshi Papo has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cartwright regains half guard.
Papo controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cartwright is looking to improve his position.
My spies in Advanced Fitness Inc. inform me that Papo has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Papo looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
More stalling from Papo.
Cartwright makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Cartwright.
Papo sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Cartwright looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Papo passes into side control.
Cartwright is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cartwright is working hard here to advance position.
Cartwright is being controlled here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hiroshi Papo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Papo 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 Josh West scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hiroshi Papo!