PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pono Reyes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Tito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Reyes
vs
Tito

190 cm
20
198 lbs
2 - 1 - 1

195 cm
26
190 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Solid chin

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

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tito tries to close the distance and clinch up but Reyes swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Reyes moves into the clinch successfully.
Tito wants a takedown.

Reyes gets control of Tito's arms and successfully pulls guard. Reyes will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Titois looking to pass into half guard but Reyes pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Reyes is in guard.
Reyes in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Tito is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Reyes in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tito keeping moving, preventing Reyes from controlling successfully.
Tito wants to sweep but no luck.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Reyes accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tito looking to hit a scissor sweep but Reyes is one step ahead there.
Reyes with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tito has a closed guard, preventing Reyes from standing up.

Tito has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Reyes can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Reyes postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

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.
Tito keeping moving, preventing Reyes from controlling successfully.
Tito trying to keep a closed guard but Reyes is proving a slippery customer.

Reyes drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Tito manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Reyes has Tito in his guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Tito postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Reyes is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Tito, into his guard.
Reyes won't allow Tito to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reyes throwing strikes from guard but Tito blocks nicely.
Reyes 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.
Reyes stopping the sweep attempt from Tito.
Reyes wants to control from the top but Tito keeps moving.

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.

Reyes postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Tito is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Reyes, into his guard.
Reyes looking for a sweep. Not yet Reyes, not yet.
Reyes throws a nice elbow from the bottom.

Tito has gone for a leg lock! Reyes slips out almost immediately though and dives into Tito's guard.
Reyes scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Reyes moves in looking to clinch but Tito pushes him off.
Tito throws a shot from downtown. Reyes moves away and avoids it.

Tito scores a takedown into full mount!
Reyes tries to buck Tito off but he can't manage it.

Tito goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Reyes turns into him and now he's in Tito's guard.
Reyes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tito works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tito tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reyes makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Reyes throws a strike but Tito rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Tito drops back, looking for a kneebar! Reyes looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Reyes looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Reyes!
Tito can't do much from the bottom here.
Tito manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reyes wants to improve his position but Tito is controlling well.
Reyes regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Tito.
Tito throwing strikes but missing.
Reyes utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Reyes looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Tito has gone for a leg lock! Reyes slips out almost immediately though and dives into Tito's guard.
Reyes throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reyes is working Tito over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Reyes trying to control but Tito is working from the bottom.
Reyes throws a strike but Tito rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Tito pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Reyes is keeping the position for now.
Tito loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Reyes is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Tito drops back, looking for a kneebar! Reyes looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Reyes looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Reyes!
Reyes in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Reyes working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Tito managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Reyes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pono Reyes dominated that second round.
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!

Reyes fails with the takedown
and Tito counters with a nice body shot.
Tito misses with a shot to the body

and Reyes holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Reyes tries for a takedown but Tito manages to get underhooks.
Tito misses with a punch to the body.
Reyes on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tito using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Reyes has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tito tries a knee to the head but Reyes blocks it.
Tito stalling against the cage.
Tito can't break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tito tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Reyes avoids it.
Reyes wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pono Reyes. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Reyes ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Reyes no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Reyes pushes Tito off and scrambles back to his feet.
Reyes fails with the takedown
and Tito counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Reyes thinking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tito ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Reyes moves away.
Tito's corner calls for a 1-2. Tito obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Tito swings away with a body shot that misses
and Reyes counters with a nice body shot.
Reyes on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Reyes avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tito wants to clinch up but Reyes keeps it at a distance.
Tito tries to close the distance and clinch up but Reyes swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Reyes tries to bum rush Tito with a series of wild strikes but Tito uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

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.
Tito closes the distance and clinches up with Reyes, looking for a takedown. Tito pushes Reyes against the cage but Reyes circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Reyes misses with a takedown attempt

and Tito counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Tito.
Reyes blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Reyes blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Tito takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Reyes drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tito pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tito lands with a right hand.
Pono Reyes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Reyes lands a slapping body shot.
Tito throws a body punch but Reyes moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reyes misses with a takedown attempt
and Tito makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Reyes uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tito.
Reyes tries to clinch

and Tito counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Reyes's guard now.

Tito drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Reyes manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Tito has Reyes in his guard.
Reyes with a flurry of punches that miss.
Pono Reyes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reyes throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Reyes trying to control the position from guard on top but Tito is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Tito working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Reyes doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Reyes manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Tito wants to sweep but no luck.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Tito comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Reyes 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... Pono Reyes!