PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Marshall Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Middleton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Jones
vs
Middleton

178 cm
22
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
21
133 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Inexperienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Marshall Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jack Middleton!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Josh West and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Middleton shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Middleton pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jones is keeping the position for now.

Jones looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Middleton has picked Jones up and slammed him! Jones can't keep hold of the triangle and Middleton manages to pass to side control!
Jones tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Jones is working hard here to advance position.
Middleton controls the position from side control.
Jones wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

Middleton thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Middleton is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Jones knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Jones really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Middleton is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Jones is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Jones is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Jones tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.

Middleton working for a submission but Jones is keeping him at bay.

Middleton goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Jones is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Middleton tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Middleton is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Jones defends well.

Middleton had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Jones defends it easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Middleton is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Jones is aware though and is defending well.

Jones avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Middleton is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Jones defends well.
Middleton looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones trying to control but Middleton is working from the bottom.
Middleton 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.
Jones wants to control from the top but Middleton keeps moving.

Middleton throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Middleton pulls Jones in close to his closed guard and prevents Jones from doing any damage or advancing position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Middleton trying to control the position.
Jones is fighting to break Middleton's control of his arms but Middleton is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Jones wants to control from the top but Middleton keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Middleton closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Middleton lands in his opponent's guard.
Middleton is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Middleton dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Middleton decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Jones is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Middleton trying to control the pace.
Middleton's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jack Middleton was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Jones slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Middleton closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Jones to the mat! Jones manages to get full guard.
Jones is looking to sweep but instead, Middleton has passed into half guard.

Middleton seems to be looking for submissions.
Jones won't allow Middleton to pass to mount.

Middleton is working for a kimura but Jones is defending it quite comfortably.
Jones wants to improve his position but Middleton is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Middleton looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

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

Middleton is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Middleton tries to pass to full mount but Jones defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Middleton is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Jones defends it well.

Jones looking for submissions off his back.

Middleton is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Middleton is working for a kimura but Jones is defending it quite comfortably.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Middleton seems to be looking for submissions.

Middleton is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Jones is just riding it out for now. Middleton eventually gives up the hold.
Middleton trying to control the action but Jones is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jones is trying to control but Middleton passes into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Middleton showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

A jab from Jones finds it's way through Middleton's defenses.

Middleton instigates a clinch.

Middleton has clasped his hands together around Jones's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Middleton is looking to take a break and control but Jones is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Middleton looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Jones tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Middleton wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

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

Middleton is trying to get an arm triangle but Jones is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones wants to get back to his feet.

Middleton tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Middleton has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Middleton tries to move to mount but Jones blocks the move with his legs.
Jones is looking to reverse the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones wants to control but Middleton postures up.
Jones seems a little lost for a moment, as Middleton dominates the positioning.

Middleton tries for a kimura but Jones is defending well.

Middleton tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Middleton takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jones is looking to regain half guard here but Middleton keeps moving and retains side control.

Middleton is trying to get an arm triangle but Jones is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.

Middleton is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Jones to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Jones shrugs it off.
Middleton takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Let's hope that Middleton 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.
Jack Middleton is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones tries to lock up and control but Middleton gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Middleton looking to control and managing it successfully.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Middleton manages to capitalize on a mistake by Jones to take his back!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Middleton is working for the choke. He's slipped one arm under the chin. Jones has to defend the other arm for all he's worth... but Middleton has managed to get that arm free too and he's tightening the choke! Jones taps out and looks absolutely disgusted with himself. Middleton doesn't care though - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Jack Middleton!