PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Pitbull (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Ford (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.

Pitbull
vs
Ford

199 cm
20
281 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

190 cm
24
265 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Johnny Pitbull!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, James Ford!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Dmitry Maklakov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ford lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Pitbull circles away quickly and effectively.
Pitbull fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pitbull uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ford.
Ford fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Pitbull defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ford.
Ford lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Ford.
Pitbull tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Ford manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Good exchange - Ford coming out on top.
Pitbull wants to clinch.
Ford throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ford circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pitbull tries to clinch but Ford moves out of range.
Ford keeps the fight on the outside.
Pitbull moves in looking to clinch but Ford pushes him off.
Ford misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pitbull.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pitbull looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ford swats away the attempt to clinch by Pitbull.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Ford keeps the fight on the outside.
A big right from Ford misses.
Ford misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Pitbull takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Pitbull takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Pitbull takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice cross by Ford.
Pitbull moves in looking to clinch but Ford pushes him off.
Ford throws a lazy right hand but Pitbull sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Pitbull pushes Ford up against the cage in a clinch.
Pitbull throws a knee to the head but misses.
Pitbull taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Ford breaks from the clinch.
Ford swats away the attempt to clinch by Pitbull.
Pitbull fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ford sizes up Pitbull with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Ford misses with a double jab.
Pitbull moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Pitbull takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Ford lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Pitbull circles away quickly and effectively.
Ford throws out a loose jab but Pitbull uses good head movement to avoid it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Pitbull looking to throw knees to the head but Ford is blocking nicely.

Ford manages to break the clinch.

Ford has taken the fight to the clinch.

Ford escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pitbull darts in trying to clinch
and Pitbull takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Jab by Ford.
Ford is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Pitbull had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Pitbull wants to clinch
and Ford counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ford works the jab nicely.
Jab, jab by Ford - just one landing.
Pitbull wants to clinch but Ford slips to the side
and Ford counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Ford might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

Ford scores with a takedown into Pitbull's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pitbull wants to stand and escape but Ford is having none of it.
Ford trying to control but Pitbull is working from the bottom.
Ford postures up in Pitbull's guard and throws a big left but Pitbull blocks it.
Ford throwing strikes but missing.
Ford with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ford wants to control from the top but Pitbull keeps moving.

Pitbull is working an open guard so Ford takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ford throws a right hand that Pitbull ducks under and follows up with a left that Pitbull also avoids with ease.
Pitbull clinches but Ford breaks the clinch
and Ford counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ford throws a nice looking combination but Pitbull bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Ford closes the distance and clinches.
Ford wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Pitbull throws a knee to the head but misses.
Pitbull with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Pitbull trying to control the position but instead, Ford has worked for underhooks and has pushed Pitbull into the cage.
Pitbull is breathing heavily.
Pitbull trying to land knees to the body.
A right hand to the body from Ford.
Ford avoiding damage as Pitbull throws knees to the body.
Pitbull keeps control of Ford as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ford tries to break free but Pitbull pushes him back against the cage.
Pitbull is pressed up against the cage. Ford has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Pitbull down to the mat. Pitbull avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ford lands with an uppercut that bounces Pitbull off the cage and back into rage.
Nice shot by Ford.
Ford works the jab nicely.
Johnny Pitbull seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pitbull closes the distance looking to clinch
and Ford cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A combination from Ford does no damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ford lands a lovely overhand right.
Ford wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Pitbull takes a jab right on the kisser.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Ford scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Ford trying to control the action but Pitbull is working from the bottom.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Ford working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Pitbull bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ford throws a series of punches but Pitbull moves out of range.
Pitbull wants to clinch

and Ford moves into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Ford dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Pitbull tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Ford connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Pitbull drops his hands momentarily and Ford takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Pitbull slips a jab and a cross from Ford.
Pitbull looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Pitbull tries to clinch up
and Ford counters with a left and a right that stings Pitbull.
Ford misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ford bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Pitbull's head backwards.
Good shot there by Ford.
Pitbull darts in trying to clinch

and Ford counters by clinching up.
Ford is trying to break the clinch but Pitbull is controlling him.
Pitbull misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ford.

Ford breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ford digs a good hook to Pitbull's body.
Ford throws a sloppy head kick and Pitbull moves out of range easily.
Pitbull tries to clinch
and Pitbull takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A punch lands to the side of Pitbull 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Pitbull tries to clinch but Ford moves away
and Ford counters with a stiff right hand.
Pitbull takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Johnny Pitbull is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pitbull wants to clinch
and Ford counters with a left to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ford connects with a crisp jab.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pitbull darts in trying to clinch

and Ford holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Pitbull misses with a knee strike.

Ford decides to pull guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ford is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Ford has his feet on Pitbull's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Pitbull tries to clinch
and Ford counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Pitbull closes the distance but Ford moves to the side
and Ford counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ford circles away from the clinch attempt

and Ford counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ford.
Ford is trying to push Pitbull away but Pitbull has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pitbull looking to slow down the pace here.
Ford is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Pitbull prevents Ford from breaking the clinch.
Ford has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Pitbull tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ford avoids it.
Pitbull tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Ford breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pitbull tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Ford counters with a straight right hand.
Pitbull wants to clinch but Ford slips to the side
and Ford counters with a series of strikes. Pitbull will be more careful next time no doubt.

Ford clinches up with Pitbull and pushes him back against the cage.
Pitbull tries to stall but Ford uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Pitbull stops a takedown attempt from Ford.
Ford goes for a takedown in the clinch but Pitbull prevents it.
Ford drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Pitbull gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Johnny Pitbull has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Ford.

Ford drags the fight down to the ground.
Ford looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ford has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Pitbull has passed into side control.

Pitbull decides to stand up, so the ref orders Ford to his feet.
Some wild striking there from Ford.
Ford jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Pitbull closes the distance looking to clinch
and Ford counters with a nice uppercut.
Pitbull tries to clinch up
and Ford counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ford throws a hook to the side of Pitbull's head but Pitbull sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Pitbull tries to clinch up
and Ford counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Pitbull clinches but Ford breaks the clinch

and Ford holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Ford jumps into guard, dragging Pitbull to the mat.

Pitbull stands and steps away. Ford gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Ford lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

Pitbull rushes Ford and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Pitbull looking to throw knees to the head but Ford is blocking nicely.
Pitbull has Ford pressed against the cage, preventing Ford from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Ford pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pitbull wants to clinch but Ford slips to the side
and Pitbull takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pitbull tries to clinch up

and Ford counters with a nice double leg into side control. Pitbull won't be happy with that.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pitbull is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Ford has just dragged him back down to the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Ford 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!

Pitbull clinches but Ford breaks the clinch
and Ford counters with a stiff right hand.

Pitbull instigates a clinch.
Pitbull lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Ford wants a takedown.
Ford wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Pitbull misses with a knee to the head.
Pitbull misses with a knee strike.
Pitbull using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ford has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Pitbull gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ford.
Ford jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Pitbull walks away with a smile on his face. Ford gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Johnny Pitbull has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Ford.
Pitbull misses with a takedown attempt - Ford sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ford wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ford lands a really nice looking cross but Pitbull seems unphased.
Ford throws a one two combo.
Pitbull darts in trying to clinch
and Ford counters with a left and a right that stings Pitbull.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice uppercut lands for Ford. That snapped Pitbull's head back.

Ford moves into the clinch.

Ford manages to pull guard.
Pitbull won't allow Ford to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pitbull has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Ford is proving hard to escape from.
Ford wants to get back to his feet but Pitbull passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ford is trying to stand back up but Pitbull is controlling him
Ford is trying to control but Pitbull passes into side control!

Pitbull working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ford tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
James Ford is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ford is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Pitbull looking for the RNC.
Ford looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Ford comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ford has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30

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