PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Raikage Sama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Jones III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sama comes to the cage accompanied by I OFFER MY LIFE!. Matt Jones III is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Sama
vs
Jones III

168 cm
25
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Good chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Raikage Sama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matt Jones III!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Tiny Johnson and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sama displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Jones III.
Jones III shoots in but no luck this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sama tries for a takedown but Jones III circles away easily

and Jones III counters with a shoot takedown. Sama fights it but they end up in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sama is trying to keep Jones III in close.
Jones III trying to control the position from guard on top but Sama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jones III throwing strikes but missing.

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.
Sama is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Sama utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Jones III's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Jones III not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Jones III throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sama works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Jones III has gone for a leg lock! Sama slips out almost immediately though and dives into Jones III's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones III manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Jones III throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Jones III throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sama avoids a series of strikes thrown by Jones III.
Jones III wants to control the pace but Sama is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Jones III thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Poor strikes thrown by Jones III there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Jones III with a couple of short strikes.
Jones III throwing strikes here but Sama is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Jones III punching from mount but Sama doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Sama is breathing heavily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sama blocking the ground and pound.
Sama avoids a series of strikes thrown by Jones III.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Jones III dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Jones III with a poor takedown

and Sama counters with a shoot takedown. Jones III fights it but they end up in guard.
Jones III wants to sweep but no luck.
Jones III wants to improve his position but instead Sama has moved into half guard.
Jones III wants to get back to full guard but Sama has mounted him!
Jones III is working to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sama with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Jones III tries to hold on but Sama pushes him away.
Jones III is in all sorts of trouble here.

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.
Jones III is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Jones III is trying to reverse the position but instead Sama has taken his back - oops!
Sama doesn't have the hooks in and Jones III manages to turn into his guard.
Jones III with a flurry of punches that miss.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jones III accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Jones III has his takedown stuffed

and Sama counters with a takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones III is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Sama's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Jones III is looking to improve his position.
Jones III manages to get to full guard.

Jones III has his foot on Sama's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sama works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raikage Sama dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Jones III feints and as Sama raises his hands in defense, Jones III changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sama keeping moving, preventing Jones III from controlling successfully.
Jones III throwing strikes from guard but Sama blocks nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones III missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones III trying to control but Sama is working from the bottom.
Jones III working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sama keeping moving, preventing Jones III from controlling successfully.
Matt Jones III has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sama working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jones III.
Jones III stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sama 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.

Jones III shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Jones III was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

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.
Jones III misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones III in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Sama avoids a series of strikes thrown by Jones III.
Jones III working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Sama slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.
Jones III lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Jones III not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sama blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jones III.
Sama keeping control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Jones III works his way into full mount!
Jones III unloads with some shots from mount but Sama bucks and avoids them well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jones III throws some wild stikes that Sama manages to avoid easily.
Jones III punishing his opponent with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Jones III comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Jones III has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29

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