PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jalen Reis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Skjelbred (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Skjelbred has chosen Bad To The Bone as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Reis
vs
Skjelbred

172 cm
24
137 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

175 cm
29
124 lbs
17 - 8 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jalen Reis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Skjelbred!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Daniel Cesar and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reis misses with a takedown attempt - Skjelbred sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Reis fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Skjelbred avoids it really well and circles away.
Reis with a poor takedown

and Skjelbred counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jalen Reis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Skjelbred pushing down on Reis's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Skjelbred lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Reis looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Reis wants to improve his position but Skjelbred is controlling well.

Skjelbred is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Skjelbred seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Reis looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Reis actively working from the bottom here.

Skjelbred is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Reis is trying to get back to full guard.
Skjelbred content to control rather than advance.
Skjelbred tries to pass the half guard into mount. Reis knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Well, if Skjelbred is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Reis looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Reis looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Reis is breathing heavily.
Skjelbred is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Reis is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Skjelbred pulls his head out easily.
Skjelbred seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Let's hope that Skjelbred has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

OK we're going to have a standup here. John Skjelbred hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Skjelbred throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Reis tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Skjelbred is in Reis's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skjelbred trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Reis is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Skjelbred working some strikes from top position.
Skjelbred postures up and lands a big shot to Reis's brow.
Skjelbred is pushing down on Reis's leg trying to pass to half guard. Reis is fighting to maintain full guard but Skjelbred has managed to sneak the leg through.
Skjelbred lands strikes from half guard.
Skjelbred working the head and body with strikes.
Skjelbred slows the pace down in half guard.
Skjelbred scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Skjelbred slips a nice elbow through Reis's hands, connecting with Reis's forehead.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Skjelbred lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Skjelbred works his way into full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skjelbred lands a nice shot to the head.
Reis is desperately trying to improve his position but Skjelbred has a good base and remains in mount.
Skjelbred looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

Skjelbred working for a submission here. He's tucked his head under his opponent's arm, looking for an arm triangle. He's hopped off into side control, looking to tighten the submission... is it going to work? He's given up a good position looking for it. Reis looks OK. Oh, I spoke too soon, he's out! That must have been tighter than I thought! Excellent work there by Skjelbred! Submission of the night perhaps?

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:41 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). John Skjelbred!
John Skjelbred thanked the fans post fight for their support.