PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jim James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Rawlings (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rawlings has chosen Hells Bells as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

James
vs
Rawlings

189 cm
21
189 lbs
1 - 0 - 1

187 cm
19
185 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

BioPharm Nutrition
Lightning Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 1, fighting out of New York, Jim James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jack Rawlings!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, John Roberts and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rawlings clinches up against the cage.
James has Rawlings pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rawlings manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rawlings has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. James is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Rawlings breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
James ducks right into an uppercut from Rawlings.

Rawlings has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rawlings content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Rawlings breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
James lands the left hand.
Rawlings throws a head kick but James moves out of range.
Rawlings throws a right and a left that James avoids nicely.
Jack Rawlings seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rawlings looks to score with a jab to the body but James is just out of range.
Rawlings fails to land with a series of punches.

Rawlings gets caught flat footed, as James shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
James trying to control but Rawlings is working from the bottom.

James postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rawlings is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of James, into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rawlings stopping the sweep attempt from James.
James is working hard here to advance position.
James working a defensive guard here.
Rawlings wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.

That's two 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.
Rawlings wants to get up but he can't break James's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
James is controlling Rawlings's posture.
Rawlings wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.
Rawlings tries to stand but James is controlling from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rawlings lands a with a good body shot.
James circles away from the clinch attempt.
James fails with a takedown attempt.
James showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rawlings.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rawlings instigates a clinch.
James looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jim James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
James drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rawlings pulls his leg out and moves away.
James showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rawlings.
Rawlings connects with a body shot.
Rawlings tries for a takedown but James circles away easily

and James counters with a single leg into guard. Rawlings didn't expect that.

James drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Rawlings dives on top into guard.
James is breathing heavily.

Rawlings stands and steps away. James gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Rawlings comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rawlings moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Rawlings feints and as James raises his hands in defense, Rawlings changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
James keeping moving, preventing Rawlings from controlling successfully.
James working a defensive guard but Rawlings manages to pass into side control anyway.
James is trying to control Rawlings's posture but Rawlings avoids it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rawlings stands up and beckons James to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Rawlings dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

James keeps the fight on the outside.

Rawlings gets a clinch.

Rawlings escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Rawlings forces James back against the cage and clinches.

Rawlings breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Rawlings rushes James and presses him up against the cage.
James has Rawlings pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rawlings manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rawlings is looking for a takedown up against the cage. James gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Rawlings prevents the takedown attempt.

Rawlings escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
James avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rawlings has his takedown stuffed

and James counters with a nice double leg into side control. Rawlings won't be happy with that.
Rawlings is breathing heavily.
Rawlings is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
James throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James is looking to take a break and control but Rawlings is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Rawlings tries to escape back to his feet but James has kept hold of him... Oh, now he's got Rawlings's back and is looking for the choke... Is it? Is it sunk in? YES! Rawlings is tapping! James saw the opportunity and took it - ruthless!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:31 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Jim James!