PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joe Sacrapanti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sacrapanti
vs
James

170 cm
21
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

160 cm
20
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joe Sacrapanti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Max James!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Eliza Hachem and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James throws a push kick but Sacrapanti slaps the foot to one side.
James jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

It looks like Joe Sacrapanti has been cut.
James lands the left hand.
James fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sacrapanti avoids it really well and circles away.
James fails with the takedown.
James changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sacrapanti tries to avoid it but James manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sacrapanti to the ground. Sacrapanti escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Joe Sacrapanti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max James.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sacrapanti.
James shoots in and drives through. Sacrapanti sprawls well.
James throws a head kick that misses.
James shoots for a double leg takedown but Sacrapanti sprawls well. He's pushed James's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sacrapanti fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Sacrapanti gets tackled into the cage by James. James maintains the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sacrapanti can't break the clinch.
Sacrapanti tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
James should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Sacrapanti is trying to force a seperation but James has the dominant position.
Sacrapanti wants a takedown.

Sacrapanti jumps guard and drags James to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Sacrapanti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sacrapanti is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
James is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sacrapanti looking for a sweep. Not yet Sacrapanti, not yet.

Max James has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Sacrapanti tries to clinch up but James circles away and keeps his distance.
James throws a chopping leg kick but Sacrapanti manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Sacrapanti shoots for a double leg takedown but James sprawls well. He's pushed Sacrapanti's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Joe Sacrapanti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

James moves into the clinch successfully.
Sacrapanti avoids a wild elbow strike from James.
Sacrapanti missing with knees to the body.
Sacrapanti stops a takedown attempt from James.
Sacrapanti 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.
James fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sacrapanti wants to take the fight to the mat but James manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Sacrapanti is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sacrapanti is trying to work for a single leg takedown but James pulls him back up using the underhooks.
James is looking to break free of the clinch but Sacrapanti has double underhooks.
Sacrapanti is trying to work for a single leg takedown but James pulls him back up using the underhooks.
James is working for takedown but Sacrapanti is calmly controlling the position for now.
Sacrapanti wants to take the fight to the mat but James manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
James is looking to break free of the clinch but Sacrapanti has double underhooks.
James just leaning against Sacrapanti, taking a breather.
Sacrapanti jumps guard but James stands there with Sacrapanti around his waist. Sacrapanti gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
James is trying to drag Sacrapanti to the mat but Sacrapanti just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

James jumps guard and drags Sacrapanti to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
James throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Sacrapanti trying to control the position from guard on top but James is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

James is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sacrapanti defends well.
James controls Sacrapanti momentarily but Sacrapanti frees himself.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
James has Sacrapanti pulled in close to control his posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max James dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Sacrapanti's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sacrapanti moves into the clinch successfully.
James tries to pull guard but Sacrapanti won't allow it.
James is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

James pulls Sacrapanti into guard.

Sacrapanti drops back looking for a leg! James is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and James manages to kick Sacrapanti off! Sacrapanti jumps back into James's guard.
James trying to keep a closed guard but Sacrapanti is proving a slippery customer.
James is adopting a defensive guard.
Sacrapanti trying to control the position from guard on top but James is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sacrapanti is looking to work some ground and pound but James has wrist control.

Sacrapanti got a little sloppy there for a moment and James has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sacrapanti has managed to get both his arms back between James's legs - danger averted.
James is breathing heavily.
Sacrapanti throws a big elbow that misses.
James is pulling down on Sacrapanti's head. It's preventing any offense from Sacrapanti, at least for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
James working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sacrapanti.

James looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sacrapanti lands a couple of digs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sacrapanti working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
James really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sacrapanti. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

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

Sacrapanti postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! James is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Sacrapanti, into his guard.
James pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sacrapanti is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sacrapanti controls James momentarily but James frees himself.
James wants to control from the top but Sacrapanti keeps moving.
Sacrapanti working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
James closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sacrapanti circles away.
Joe Sacrapanti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max James.
James is looking to clinch but Sacrapanti is avoiding it.
Joe Sacrapanti is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sacrapanti stuffs the takedown.
Sacrapanti fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Sacrapanti has managed to clinch.
James gets underhooks to prevent Sacrapanti's takedown attempt.

Sacrapanti gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, James regains guard.
James bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sacrapanti's guard.
James wanted to stand there but Sacrapanti had control of the position.
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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sacrapanti pulls James in to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Sacrapanti dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joe Sacrapanti's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Sacrapanti pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sacrapanti wants to clinch but James slips to the side
and James counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Horrible takedown by Sacrapanti or perhaps it was just good defense by James which made him look bad.

James closes the distance and pushes Sacrapanti back into the cage.
James wants to break free but Sacrapanti has control.
Sacrapanti has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by James after a bit of a struggle.
Sacrapanti misses with a knee strike.
Sacrapanti can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Sacrapanti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
James tries to circle away but Sacrapanti has him pinned against the cage.
James wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
James wants to get back to striking at distance but Sacrapanti won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sacrapanti tries for a takedown but James manages to get underhooks.
James has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sacrapanti avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
James is trying to drag Sacrapanti to the mat but Sacrapanti just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
James is trying to drag Sacrapanti to the mat but Sacrapanti just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Sacrapanti has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. James avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
James stalling.

James jumps guard and drags Sacrapanti to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Sacrapanti throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
James wants to sweep here but Sacrapanti controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Sacrapanti wants to pass the guard but James is keeping the position.
Sacrapanti chips away with some ground and pound.
Sacrapanti looking to pass the guard.
Sacrapanti trying to control but James is working from the bottom.
Sacrapanti wants to pass the guard but James is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James has his hands on Sacrapanti's head, controlling the position.
James wants to sweep but no luck.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sacrapanti moves to clinch but James breaks away
letting James counter with a right hand.
Sacrapanti fails in his attempt to clinch.
James throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Sacrapanti shoots in for a double leg but James sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
James works over Sacrapanti's head and body with a nice combination.

Sacrapanti closes the distance and pushes James back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James avoiding damage.

Sacrapanti has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed James clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James is trying to break free.

Sacrapanti working for a choke but James is defending well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sacrapanti is looking to control James but James is wriggling around and keeping busy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
James trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Joe Sacrapanti.
I think Sacrapanti 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 29:28
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!