PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between jim jim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Howell II (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James Howell II told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

jim
vs
Howell II

190 cm
20
250 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

210 cm
19
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, jim jim!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, James Howell II!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Howell II scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Howell II is staying tight to jim's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Howell II wants to control but jim is keeping him busy.
jim is letting Howell II control him for a moment.
Howell II tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
jim tries to improve position but can't.
Howell II grinds an elbow into jim's temple.
Howell II wants to control but jim is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
jim is looking to reverse the position.
jim trying to remain calm as Howell II controls from the top position.
jim is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.

Howell II thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Howell II working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Howell II wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by jim, who protects the arm well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
jim is looking to regain half guard here but Howell II keeps moving and retains side control.
jim is breathing heavily.

Howell II decides to stand back up.
Howell II keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Howell II moves in looking to clinch but jim pushes him off.

Howell II scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Howell II is keen to just control but jim is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howell II tries to pass to full mount but jim defends it.
jim is concentrating on defense, preventing Howell II from advancing position.
Howell II stalling.
jim has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Howell II is working away from the top position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Howell II scoring with strikes to the body and head.
jim is trying to maintain the position but Howell II is very close to passing his half guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Howell II throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. jim was covering up waiting for the punch and Howell II finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Howell II won't allow jim to get back to his feet.
Howell II wants to control from the top but jim keeps moving.
jim not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Howell II dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

jim swats away the attempt to clinch by Howell II.
jim moves in looking to clinch but Howell II pushes him off.
jim has his takedown stuffed

and Howell II counters with a nice double leg into guard.
jim 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.

Howell II gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Howell II closes the distance and clinches.

Howell II gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
jim trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howell II performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
jim pushes Howell II off looking to stand but Howell II dives back in and keeps control.

Howell II stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows jim to get to his feet.
Howell II shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says jim as he avoids it easily.
Howell II shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts jim as he jumps to the side.

That's two 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.
jim misses with the body kick

and Howell II counters with a takedown into side control.
jim stops Howell II from passing to mount.
jim is trying to control Howell II's posture but Howell II avoids it.
jim is not content to let Howell II control the position.
jim is trying to control Howell II's posture but Howell II avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
jim is looking for a sweep.

Howell II decides to stand back up.

Howell II closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming jim to the mat! jim manages to get full guard.
Howell II wants to pass the guard but jim is keeping the position.
jim might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Howell II postures up.
Howell II is fighting to break jim's control of his arms but jim is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
jim not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howell II not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
jim not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Howell II pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. jim is keeping the position for now.
Howell II wants to stand but jim is controlling his posture from full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Howell II showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Howell II tries to clinch there but jim circles away.

Howell II closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. jim did well to prevent Howell II getting side control.
Howell II passes into side control, despite jim's attempt to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
jim wants to control but Howell II postures up.

Howell II decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Howell II closes the distance and pushes jim back into the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
jim is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Howell II is defending well for now.

Howell II has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics jim uses from the top position.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Howell II holds on and takes a little breather.
Howell II wants to stand but jim is controlling the position.

Howell II pushes jim off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

jim moves into range and clinches up with Howell II.

Howell II has clasped his hands together around jim's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
jim wants to get back to his feet but Howell II is dominant here and he's now got jim's back!
jim jim has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Howell II looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. jim is controlling Howell II 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.
Howell II wants to sweep but no luck.
jim trying to control the position from guard on top but Howell II is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Howell II escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. jim gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
jim is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
jim trying to control but Howell II is working from the bottom.
James Howell II has got the better of the ground game so far.
Howell II tries to land a sweep but no joy.
jim has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Howell II keeping moving, preventing jim from controlling successfully.
Howell II looking to hit a scissor sweep but jim is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
jim is looking to work some ground and pound but Howell II has wrist control.
jim trying to control but Howell II is working from the bottom.

Howell II is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and jim defends well.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Howell II throws a quick head kick that skims the top of jim's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Howell II comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Howell II 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Howell II!