PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cruise Newton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jojo Cunnings (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.

Newton
vs
Cunnings

170 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

167 cm
21
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Cruise Newton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jojo Cunnings!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Newton closes the distance looking to clinch

and Cunnings counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Cunnings is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Cunnings is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Newton has managed to free his arm - good work.
Cunnings is pressing down on Newton's thigh, looking to free his foot. Newton is holding on for now.

Cunnings is trying to work for a kimura but Newton is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunnings trying to control the action but Newton is working from the bottom.

Cunnings is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Newton doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Cunnings.
Newton is trying to stand back up but Cunnings is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cunnings is trying to work for a kimura but Newton is defending well.

Newton looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Cunnings is trying to control the action in half guard but Newton is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Newton is defending against the submission attempts here by Cunnings.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Cunnings is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Newton defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cunnings moves into full mount! Newton won't be happy about that!
Newton is in all sorts of trouble here.

Cunnings has control of Newton's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Newton regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Cunnings is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Newton has managed to escape the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cunnings working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Cunnings wants to control the action but instead Newton gets a body lock and reverses into Cunnings's guard! Nice work!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cunnings keeping full guard, as Newton tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jojo Cunnings dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Newton stuffs the takedown attempt from Cunnings. Cunnings gets slowly back to his feet.
Cunnings fails to land the takedown.
Newton tries to close the distance and clinch but Cunnings swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Newton fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Newton shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cunnings sprawls well. Cunnings wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Newton gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunnings tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Newton swivels and escapes.
Cruise Newton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jojo Cunnings.

Newton gets a double leg takedown into Cunnings's guard.
Cunnings tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Newton trying to control but Cunnings is working from the bottom.
Newtonis looking to pass into half guard but Cunnings pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Cunnings is in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cunnings drops back looking for a leg! Newton is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Newton manages to kick Cunnings off! Cunnings jumps back into Newton's guard.
Cunnings advances to half guard.

Cunnings is trying to work for a kimura but Newton is defending well.

Cunnings is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Newton has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newton moves into full guard.

Cunnings is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Cunnings is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Cunnings trying to control but Newton is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cunnings slips nicely into half guard.

Cunnings decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cunnings.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jojo Cunnings 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!

Cunnings will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nice takedown defense from Cunnings. No joy for Newton on that attempt.

Cunnings rushes Newton and presses him up against the cage.
Newton wants to break the clinch but can't.
Newton prevents the takedown attempt.
Newton gets underhooks to prevent Cunnings's takedown attempt.
Cruise Newton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jojo Cunnings.
Newton is working for takedown but Cunnings is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunnings gets underhooks to prevent Newton's takedown attempt.
Cunnings tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Newton just stands there and leans against the cage.
Cunnings jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Newton walks away with a smile on his face. Cunnings gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Newton misses with a takedown attempt - Cunnings sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Newton shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cunnings as he avoids it easily.
Cunnings shoots in for a double leg but Newton sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cruise Newton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Newton shoots in for a takedown but Cunnings shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cruise Newton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Newton closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cunnings circles away.
Newton tries for a takedown but Cunnings sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cunnings fails with the takedown.
Cunnings shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Newton as he jumps to the side.

Cunnings shoots in and gets a takedown into Newton's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cunnings wants to control from the top but Newton keeps moving.

Cunnings thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Cunnings wants to pass the guard but Newton is keeping the position.
Cunnings postures up.
Cunnings trying to control but Newton is working from the bottom.
Jojo Cunnings has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cunnings gets to his feet. Newton looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Cunnings stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cunnings wants it to stay on the feet.
Newton shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Cunnings counters with a shoot takedown. Newton fights it but they end up in guard.

Cunnings drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Cunnings jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cunnings trying to control the position from guard on top but Newton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jojo Cunnings comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Cunnings winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight for Jojo Cunnings!
Judge Suge Night scores the fight for Jojo Cunnings!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Jojo Cunnings!

Jojo Cunnings wins by unanimous decision!