PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Patton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Patton
vs
James

225 cm
27
267 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

198 cm
23
265 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
KO power

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 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mike Patton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 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!
Patton shoots in looking for a takedown. James tries to sprawl out of it but Patton keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. James manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Patton really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Nice takedown defense from James. No joy for Patton on that attempt.
Patton shoots in looking for a takedown. James tries to sprawl out of it but Patton keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. James manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Patton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Patton fails with the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Patton shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has James pinned against the cage. James gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Patton is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James misses with a takedown attempt

and Patton counters with a shoot takedown. James fights it but they end up in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Patton trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
James really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Patton. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Patton slips nicely into half guard.
Patton thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed James's head.
Patton missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Patton thows a huge punch but James dodges it nicely.
Patton throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Patton sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. James defending well though.
Patton trying to control the action but James is working from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
James shoots and misses

and Patton counters with a shoot takedown. James fights it but they end up in guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
James keeping full guard, as Patton tries to pass.
James has control of Patton's left arm, preventing Patton from doing any damage.
Patton missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Patton thows a big elbow that misses.
James keeping moving, preventing Patton from controlling successfully.
Patton with a flurry of punches that miss.
Patton stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. James swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Patton tries for a takedown but James circles away easily

and James counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Patton's guard now.

Patton looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Patton tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Patton throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
James tries to free his leg and advance position but Patton is retaining full guard.
Patton is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst James is controlling him.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Patton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Patton throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Patton gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and James counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by James.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Patton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Patton wants to sweep here but James controlling him for the moment.
Patton is working hard here to advance position.

Patton looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Patton will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James trying to control but Patton is working from the bottom.
Patton looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Patton is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Patton wants to stand but James is controlling the position.
James must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
James shoots in looking for a takedown. Patton tries to sprawl out of it but James keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Patton manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Patton doesn't succeed with the takedown

and James counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
James prevents Patton from improving his position.

Patton looking for submissions off his back.
James wants to take a breather but Patton is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Patton gets full guard.

Patton is looking for a triangle but James pushes his legs off easily.

Patton is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Patton throws a sloppy head kick

and James counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Patton!
Patton is squirming around, avoiding James's attempts to control the action.
Patton is looking to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Patton slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Patton is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
James wants to control but Patton is keeping him busy.
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.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Patton shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and James counters with a nice double leg into side control. Patton won't be happy with that.
Patton tries to buck James off but James is having none of it.
Patton has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Patton seems a little lost for a moment, as James dominates the positioning.
Patton is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Patton sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Patton slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
James trying to control but Patton is working from the bottom.
Patton manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
James is in a horrible position here. Patton smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
James holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Patton tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Patton fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
James really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Patton lands with some strikes.
James taking shots to the head.
James is bucking up trying to escape but Patton cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Patton dominating with strikes here.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Patton cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Patton thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Patton working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Patton working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Patton lands a big shot there that rocks James but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Patton looking for a guillotine from mount but James is having none of it.
Patton has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of James's face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Patton looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
James is trying to escape the mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Patton cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Patton showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Patton 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Patton!