PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jake Connor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Swanson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Swanson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Buju Banton-Not an Easy Road. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Connor
vs
Swanson

183 cm
21
183 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

190 cm
26
195 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Intelligent

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

SPARTAN FIGHTWARE
SPARTAN FIGHTWARE

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jake Connor!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joe Swanson!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Alyssa Summers and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Swanson instigates a clinch.
Swanson manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Swanson can't get the takedown.
Connor blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Connor wants to break free but Swanson has control.
Swanson leaning his opponent against the cage.
Swanson has a couple of punches blocked by Connor.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Connor tries to break free but Swanson pushes him back against the cage.

Swanson has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Connor clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Swanson missing with strikes from the back.
Swanson slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Connor wants to control his opponent's hands but Swanson gets his hands free.
Swanson misses with punches from the back.
Connor wants to get back to his feet.
Swanson has Connor flattened out and is raining down punches.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Swanson lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Swanson punches the canvas rather than the man.
Connor wriggles onto his back under a barage of strikes.
Swanson lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Connor taking shots to the head.
Swanson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Swanson is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Connor can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Swanson avoids the attempt from Connor to control.
Swanson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Poor strikes thrown by Swanson there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Swanson misses with a head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Connor is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Swanson is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Swanson misses with a head shot.
Swanson looking to ground and pound but Connor is blocking nicely.
Swanson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
The referee warns Connor that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Connor is squirming around, avoiding Swanson's attempts to control the action.
Swanson lands a big shot there that rocks Connor but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Swanson throwing strikes here but Connor is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Swanson punching from mount but Connor doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Swanson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Swanson throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Swanson is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Swanson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Connor tries to hold on but Swanson postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Swanson dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Swanson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Connor wants to stand but Swanson is controlling the position.
Connor working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Swanson.

Swanson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Swanson throws out a leg kick but Connor moves out of range and Swanson only half commits.
Swanson has a takedown stuffed.
Connor circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Connor swats away the attempt to clinch by Swanson.
Swanson wants to clinch.
Swanson shoots in but no luck this time.
Swanson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Connor scores with a body shot.
Swanson is looking to clinch.
Connor lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Swanson wants to clinch up but Connor keeps it at a distance.
Connor circles away from the clinch attempt.
Swanson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Swanson wants to clinch up but Connor keeps it at a distance.
Swanson tries to clinch there but Connor circles away.
Swanson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Connor lands a nice hook to Swanson's body. Swanson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Swanson fails in his attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Swanson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Swanson wants to clinch.
Jake Connor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Swanson. No joy for Connor on that attempt.
Swanson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Connor's waist but Connor gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Swanson off to one side.
Jake Connor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Swanson.
Swanson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Connor counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Swanson is breathing heavily.
Swanson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Swanson moves in looking to clinch but Connor pushes him off.
Swanson moves in looking to clinch but Connor pushes him off.

That's four 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.
Connor lands a jab-cross combination.
Swanson wants to clinch
and Connor counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Swanson thinking.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Connor, as that shot connected.
Swanson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Connor digs a good body shot into Swanson's ribs.
Connor lunges at Swanson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Swanson's hand.
Connor lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Swanson throws a leg kick that is checked
and Connor counters with a nice uppercut.
Connor swats away the attempt to clinch by Swanson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Connor dominated that second 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.

Connor throws a combination. Swanson tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Connor leaves Swanson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Swanson tries to clinch up.
Swanson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Connor. Connor obviously looking to wear him down.
Swanson wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Connor lands a nice looking body shot.
Swanson closes the distance but Connor moves to the side
and Swanson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swanson looks to clinch
and Connor counters with an inside leg kick.
Connor works over Swanson's head and body with a nice combination.
Swanson throws a leg kick
and Connor counters with a left to the body.
Swanson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Swanson closes the distance but Connor moves to the side
and Connor counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Connor is looking to wear down Swanson with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Swanson tries to close the distance and clinch but Connor swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Connor clobbers Swanson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Swanson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Connor avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Swanson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Connor is trying to stand back up but Swanson is controlling him
Swanson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Connor defending well though.
Connor is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Connor desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Swanson is looking to take a break and control but Connor is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swanson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Connor is trying to stand.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Swanson misses with a takedown attempt - Connor sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Connor uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Swanson has time to react.
Swanson closes the distance looking to clinch
and Connor counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Connor scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Good exchange - Connor coming out on top.
Joe Swanson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Connor gets a clinch.

Swanson drags the fight down to the ground.
Connor trying to control the position from guard on top but Swanson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Swanson throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Swanson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Connor clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Connor uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Swanson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nice uppercut there from Connor.
A good leg kick by Connor.
Swanson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Connor pinned against the cage. Connor gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Connor swats away the attempt to clinch by Swanson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Connor doesn't manage to clinch there - Swanson circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swanson tries to clinch up but Connor circles away and keeps his distance.
Swanson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Swanson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Connor cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Swanson is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Swanson throws a hook but Connor avoids it easily.
Swanson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Connor scores with the left hand. Swanson knows he should have avoided that one.
Swanson tries to clinch up.
Connor lands an overhand right.
Connor lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Swanson has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Swanson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Swanson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Connor scores with a three punch combo!
Swanson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Connor swivels and escapes.
Jake Connor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Swanson.
Swanson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Swanson walks into a straight right hand from Connor.
Connor connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Swanson's hands.
Connor lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Connor.
Connor swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Swanson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swanson clinches but Connor breaks the clinch
and Connor counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Connor scores with a jab. Swanson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Connor keeps the fight on the outside.
Swanson is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Connor.
Connor stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Connor wants it to stay on the feet.
Danga de danga de dang - Connor scores with a four punch combination!
Connor shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Swanson sprawls well. Swanson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Connor gets slowly back to his feet.
Swanson moves forwards but Connor connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Connor tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Swanson swivels and escapes.
Swanson tries to close the distance and clinch but Connor swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Swanson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Connor swivels and escapes.
Nice shot by Connor.
Swanson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Swanson tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Connor counters with a series of strikes. Swanson will be more careful next time no doubt.
Swanson is looking to clinch.
A shot to the body from Swanson misses
and Connor counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Connor had his way with Joe Swanson in 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. This is the final round!

Swanson wants to clinch.
A left lands for Connor.
Connor is looking to clinch.
Swanson wants to clinch up but Connor keeps it at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Swanson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Swanson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Connor's waist but Connor gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Swanson off to one side.
Swanson is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Connor with a nice cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Connor fails with an attempt to clinch.
Connor lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A left and a right from Connor both land. Nice combination.
A low kick from Swanson misses
letting Connor counter with a right hand.
Connor swats away the attempt to clinch by Swanson.
Swanson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Connor.
Swanson takes one on the button.
Connor swats away the attempt to clinch by Swanson.
Joe Swanson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Swanson darts in trying to clinch
and Connor counters with a stiff right hand.
Connor throws out a powerful jab.
Connor throws a one two combo.
Swanson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Swanson tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Connor counters with a nice low kick that buckles Swanson's knee momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swanson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Connor cracks Swanson with a good jab.
Swanson tries to clinch but Connor is having none of it.
Swanson throws the left hand but Connor avoids the punch easily.
Swanson is looking to clinch but Connor is avoiding it.
Jake Connor is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Swanson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Connor avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Swanson tries to clinch there but Connor circles away.
Swanson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Connor lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Connor. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Connor.
Swanson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Connor circles away.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Connor!
Connor lands with an overhand left.
Connor is looking to clinch but Swanson is avoiding it.
A low kick from Swanson is predictable there
and Connor counters with a one-two to the body.
Connor connects with a right hand. Swanson shakes it off.
Connor circles away from the clinch attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jake Connor showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Connor 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 49:46
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 48:46
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 48:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jake Connor!
Jake Connor retains his middleweight title!