PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Villia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bobo James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Villia
vs
James

190 cm
29
150 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

177 cm
22
160 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

5th Round Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anthony Villia!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bobo James!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Daniel Franklin and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James doesn't manage to clinch there - Villia circles away.
Villia shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has James pinned against the cage. James gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

James drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Villia is trying to control James's posture but James avoids it.
James works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
James scores with punches from side control.
Villia is trying to get back to half guard.
James working away.

James is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Villia is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Villia is looking to regain half guard here but James keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
James wants to control but Villia is keeping him busy.
James working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
James in side control, throwing shots but Villia defends.
Villia manages to work his way to half guard, despite James's best efforts.
Villia is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
James not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It looks like James is going to stand back up.
James not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
James sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Villia defending well though.
James tries to stand and escape but Villia is controlling the position.
Villia is trying to get back to full guard.
Villia is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
James working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Villia's thigh. Villia counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Villia trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James prevents Villia from getting back to his feet.
James pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Villia is keeping the position for now.
Villia pulls James in to control the position.

James drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Villia manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now James has Villia in his guard.

James had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Villia defends it easily.
James is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Villia dives into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Villia advances nicely into full mount.
Villia avoids the attempt from James to control.

Villia looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Villia throwing strikes but James bucks up and reverses the position. He's now in guard on top.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
James throwing strikes but missing.
Villia is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bobo James will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Villia scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
James fails with a takedown attempt.

Villia has closed the distance and engaged James in a clinch.
Villia gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from James.
James tries to stall but Villia uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
James can't find room to land a body shot as Villia controls the action.
A frustrated look appears on Villia's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Villia is trying to drag James to the mat but James just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Villia successfully pulls guard.
James cracks Villia with a solid left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James lands a couple of elbows.
Villia will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
James is looking to work some ground and pound but Villia has wrist control.
James passes into half guard.
Villia is trying to defend against the ground and pound but James scores with a couple of nice shots.
Villia looks like he's trying to stand up.
Villia really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Villia trying to control from the bottom.
James prevents Villia from standing back up.
James working over Villia with some ground and pound. Villia looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

James is trying to work for a kimura but Villia is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
It looks like James is going to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

James is looking for a kimura here.
Villia is positioning himself well to prevent James advancing to mount.
James takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Villia tries to get to full guard but James has control of the leg.
Villia is looking to control James's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Villia avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Villia is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because James is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

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

James is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Villia moves into full guard.
James must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Villia seems keen to control James's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Villia 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.
James throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
James with a flurry of punches that miss.
James wants to stand but Villia has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Villia has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes James off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
James throws a body punch but Villia moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
James walks into a straight right hand from Villia.
Villia shoots in looking for a takedown. James tries to sprawl out of it but Villia keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. James manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
James tries to close the distance and clinch up but Villia swats him away and circles back towards the center.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Bobo James will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

James wants to clinch.
James tries to clinch up
and Villia counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Villia takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
James shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Villia as he jumps to the side.
Villia looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? James is fending him off so far but Villia persists. Nope, James circles away and we're back to standing.
James tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Villia was well out of range. Poor timing from James.
Villia keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
James falls off balance throwing a combination
and Villia counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
James takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
James throws a right and a left that Villia avoids nicely.
James shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Villia sprawls well. Villia wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. James gets slowly back to his feet.
Anthony Villia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bobo James.
Villia scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Villia misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from James.
James shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Anthony Villia is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Villia lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Villia looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Villia lands a straight punch to the body, keeping James at a distance.
James gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Villia shoots in but no luck this time.
Villia throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around James's waist but James gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Villia off to one side.
Villia is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Villia.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Villia shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as James sprawls well. James wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Villia gets slowly back to his feet.
James fails with a takedown attempt.
James wants to clinch.
Villia shoots in for a double leg but James sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
James shoots in looking for a takedown but Villia manages to keep the fight standing, pushing James's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
James wants to clinch

and Villia counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Villia.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Villia is trying to break the clinch but James is controlling him.
Villia drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Villia is trying to break the clinch but James is controlling him.
James throws a head punch that misses.
Villia is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but James is keeping busy.
James is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Villia is keeping busy.
James lands with a light punch inside.
James wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
James prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James stalling in the clinch but Villia improves position.
James tries to pull guard but Villia won't allow it.
Villia throws an elbow that misses.
James jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Villia walks away with a smile on his face. James gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
James darts in trying to clinch
enabling Villia to counter with a crisp jab.
James throws a lazy uppercut
and Villia counters with a stiff right hand.
Villia tries for a takedown but James sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
James takes one on the chin but seems OK.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Villia stuffs the takedown attempt from James. James gets slowly back to his feet.
Villia is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Horrible takedown by Villia or perhaps it was just good defense by James which made him look bad.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Villia clearly takes that round.
That's time! Villia's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

James forces Villia back against the cage and clinches.
Villia stalls.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, James just misses with a elbow thrown towards Villia's brow.
James is trying to pull guard but Villia has him pressed against the cage.
James is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
James drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Anthony Villia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bobo James.
James is trying to break the clinch but Villia has him pressed against the cage.
James is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James wants to get back to striking at distance but Villia won't allow it.
James jumps guard but Villia turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Villia manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
James throwing strikes but missing.

James has gone for a leg lock! Villia slips out almost immediately though and dives into James's guard.

Villia gets to his feet. James looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Villia misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Villia shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts James as he jumps to the side.
James changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Villia tries to avoid it but James manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Villia to the ground. Villia escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James takes a swing at Villia's ribcage but misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - James looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
James is looking to clinch but Villia is avoiding it.
Villia avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
James misses with an uppercut
and Villia counters with a nice uppercut.
Villia keeps the fight on the outside.
James turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
No luck with that takedown attempt from James.

Villia clinches up with James and pushes him back against the cage.
James tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James stalling in the clinch but Villia improves position.

Villia jumps into guard, dragging James to the mat.
James tries to stand but Villia is controlling from the bottom.

Villia looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Villia is looking for a triangle here but James uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
You can see the frustration on Villia's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
James happy to just control the position for now.
Villia is trying to control James's posture but James avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Villia down.
James trying to control the position but Villia is working away.
Villia is looking to reverse the position.
James wants to lay and pray for a moment but Villia keeps working.
Villia sneaks back into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Villia wants to control but James is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Bobo James will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

James fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Villia to the ground. James is now in Villia's guard.
James stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Villia swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bobo James has got the better of the ground game so far.
Villia tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Villia not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Villia is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

James gets to his feet - Villia follows without any prompting.
Villia scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Villia takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Villia moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James wants to break free but Villia has control.
Villia avoids a wild elbow strike from James.
Villia jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as James walks away with a smile on his face. Villia gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Villia rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but James moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
James looks to clinch
and Villia counters with a left and a right that stings James.
Villia takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
James tries to close the distance and clinch up but Villia swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Villia clinches with his opponent.
Villia tries to circle away but James has him pinned against the cage.
James lands with a short punch from the clinch.
James tries to pull guard but Villia holds him up against the cage and eventually James drops back down to his feet.

James manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
James slaps away a takedown attempt from Villia, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Villia looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Villia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
James shoots in and drives through. Villia sprawls well.
James is looking to clinch but Villia is avoiding it.
James tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The fight stays on the outside here - Villia looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
James throws a solid leg kick but Villia takes the impact on his shin and smiles at James.
This has been an exciting period of action!
James defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Villia.
James doesn't manage to clinch there - Villia circles away.
Villia swats away the attempt to clinch by James.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
James pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

James escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Villia moves into range and clinches up with James.
James lands a nice shot to the body.
A hook to the body from Villia.

James breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Anthony Villia has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Villia has managed to clinch.

James ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. James no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Villia wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James looking to control.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Bobo James comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think James has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 46:49
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 46:49
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bobo James!
Bobo James is the new lightweight champion!
Bobo James thanked the fans post fight for their support.