PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mateo Velez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Velez
vs
James

200 cm
18
265 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

198 cm
23
265 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Very confident

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mateo Velez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Matt James!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James fails to land the takedown.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Velez lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and James has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from James and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Velez tries for a takedown but James circles away easily

and James counters with a takedown into side control.
James in side control, just content to control the action for now.
I looks like James 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Velez is trying to buck James off.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
James takes a little break here. Velez wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Velez is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but James has just dragged him back down to the mat.
James wants to control but Velez is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A lull in the action here as James stalls from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velez wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
James takes a little break here. Velez wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Matt James.
Velez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Velez wants it to stay on the feet.

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.
Velez throws a sloppy head kick

and James counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Velez!
James looking to control and managing it successfully.

James looking for a guillotine from mount but Velez is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt James dominated that round.
That's time! Velez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Velez moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Velez throws a head kick that misses

and James counters with a shoot takedown. Velez fights it but they end up in guard.
Velez is looking to stand up but James isn't so interested in that idea.
Velez controlling James's posture.
James is standing up over Velez. Velez looks to escape but James dives into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James trying to control the action but Velez is working from the bottom.
Velez is being controlled here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Velez is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
James is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velez is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but James has just dragged him back down to the mat.

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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Velez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Velez misses with a looping right.
Velez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Velez throws a head kick that misses

and James counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
James is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
James moves into full mount! Velez won't be happy about that!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt James showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

A head kick by Velez misses

and James counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
James content to control rather than advance.
Velez looks like he's trying to stand up.
Velez is trying to escape back to his feet but James uses the scramble to pass into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Velez is pushing James's head away, looking to escape. James manages to hold on to the position though.
James wants to control but Velez is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Velez is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, James asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Velez wants to get back to his feet but James is dominant here and he's now got Velez's back!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velez is trying to get back to his feet but James has full control of the position and if anything, Velez has just worked his way into a worse spot.
James really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Velez.

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.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt James comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got James 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

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