PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hjalmar Thorhalla (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jordan James (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.

Thorhalla
vs
James

189 cm
25
280 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

191 cm
25
288 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hjalmar Thorhalla!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jordan James!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Lou da Vinci and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James shoots for a double leg takedown but Thorhalla sprawls well. He's pushed James's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Thorhalla tries a head kick but it misses.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - James has eaten all the pies!
Nice takedown defense from James. No joy for Thorhalla on that attempt.
James with a lazy takedown attempt

and Thorhalla decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in James's guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Thorhalla trying to control the position from guard on top but James is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
James is trying to keep Thorhalla in close.
James wants to sweep here but Thorhalla controlling him for the moment.
James is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Thorhalla stuffs the takedown.
Hjalmar Thorhalla has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jordan James.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A big right from Thorhalla misses.

Thorhalla gets the takedown into side control.
James tries to buck Thorhalla off but Thorhalla is having none of it.

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

Thorhalla is trying to get an arm triangle but James is defending well.
James tries to improve position but can't.
James sneaks back into half guard.

Thorhalla seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thorhalla trying to control from half guard but James is working away.
James is controlling Thorhalla's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if James can do anything to dispel that myth.
James is looking to improve his position.
James is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
James really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Thorhalla. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Jordan James wasn't active enough on the ground.

James closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Thorhalla's guard.
James looks gassed!

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Thorhalla has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but James can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorhalla preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Thorhalla is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
James pushes down on Thorhalla's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Thorhalla looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
James is trying to control. Thorhalla wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Thorhalla works his way to full guard. Good work.
James distracts Thorhalla with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
James must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Thorhalla is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as James accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

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

Thorhalla looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thorhalla keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.
James distracts Thorhalla with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Thorhalla looking for a guillotine here but James defends easily.

James avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Hjalmar Thorhalla will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

James shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
James shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Thorhalla pinned against the cage. Thorhalla gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Thorhalla gets caught napping as James dives in and scores a takedown. Thorhalla manages to retain guard.
James preventing the sweep.
Thorhalla keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.
James postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Thorhalla keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.
James pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Thorhalla is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Thorhalla has his foot on James's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. James works his way back into a safe position though.
Thorhalla manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. James manages to get himself to full guard.
James seems keen to control Thorhalla's posture.
Thorhalla stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. James swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Thorhalla is fighting to break James's control of his arms but James is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Thorhalla wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.
James looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thorhalla is one step ahead there.
James is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thorhalla postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jordan James was stalling too much, according to the referee.
A bone on bone clash there as James blocks the leg kick.
James shoots for a double leg takedown but Thorhalla sprawls well. He's pushed James's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hjalmar Thorhalla has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jordan James.
Horrible takedown by James or perhaps it was just good defense by Thorhalla which made him look bad.

Thorhalla fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. James sprawls well initially but Thorhalla persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
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!

Thorhalla seems to be working for a kimura but James defends the submission attempt.
Thorhalla wants to control but James is keeping him busy.
Hjalmar Thorhalla overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James is trying to get back to full guard.
James looks like he's trying to stand up.
James wants to get back to full guard.

Thorhalla is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and James defends it well.
James is trying to stand back up but Thorhalla is controlling him
James is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Thorhalla is sneakily working for an arm triangle but James sees it coming and defends easily.
James is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thorhalla is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so James is just riding it out for now. Thorhalla eventually gives up the hold.
James wants to control but Thorhalla is keeping busy.
James is staying active underneath Thorhalla, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Thorhalla is looking for a kimura here.
James has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Thorhalla is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Hjalmar Thorhalla will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Thorhalla misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
James will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Thorhalla throws a right and a left that both miss.
Jordan James seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James shoots in and drives through. Thorhalla sprawls well.
Thorhalla misses with a head kick.
James looks for a takedown but Thorhalla sprawls well.
Hjalmar Thorhalla has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jordan James.
Nice takedown defense from James. No joy for Thorhalla on that attempt.

James drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
James postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thorhalla throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
James keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Thorhalla's head.

Thorhalla is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells James's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Thorhalla is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. James is aware though and is defending well.
James wants to control from the top but Thorhalla keeps moving.
James postures up and lands a big shot to Thorhalla's brow.
James is stalling in the full guard.
James lands a couple of elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Thorhalla's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
James connects with a couple of short punches.

Thorhalla escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. James gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Thorhalla is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
James keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Thorhalla's head.
James stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thorhalla swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Thorhalla can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as James controls the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James landing with the ground and pound.
James scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Thorhalla trying to control the position.
James postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Thorhalla is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
James pushes down on Thorhalla's leg and manages to get into half guard.
James slips a nice elbow through Thorhalla's hands, connecting with Thorhalla's forehead.
James slips a nice elbow through Thorhalla's hands, connecting with Thorhalla's forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James wants to take a breather but Thorhalla is having none of it.
James with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Thorhalla has hold of James's hands but James slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
James lands strikes from half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Thorhalla is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but James pulls his head out easily.
James scoring with strikes to the body and head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
James scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
James wants to control but Thorhalla is keeping him busy.
James working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jordan James comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Thorhalla 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 Dean Styles scores the fight for Jordan James!
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight for Jordan James!
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight for Jordan James!

Jordan James wins by unanimous decision!