PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alun James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marshall Mathers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Carry Me Home. Mathers has chosen Square Dance as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

James
vs
Mathers

190 cm
34
175 lbs
27 - 12 - 0

185 cm
26
185 lbs
16 - 7 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Diamond Nutrition 160q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alun James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Marshall Mathers!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Bruno Hogan and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mathers looks to land a right hand but James moved out of range.
Mathers lands a nice shot that snaps James's head back.
James shoots in for a double leg but Mathers sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mathers tries to score with a low kick but James moves his leg out of the way.
Good leg kick by Mathers there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
James moves out of range of the strikes.
James ducks under a wild hook from Mathers.
Mathers tries a low kick but James avoids it.
Mathers loads up on a big right hand but James slips the punch.
Mathers tried to score with a low kick but James checks it.
James looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
No joy there for James, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Alun James seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mathers bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nice defenses there by Mathers.
Mathers scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Mathers throws the left hand but James avoids the punch easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James blocks a leg kick.
James ducks under a wild hook from Mathers.
Good leg kick by Mathers there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Mathers ducks under a wild hook from James.
James checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Nice shot lands for James.
Mathers thows a body shot but no joy.
James slips a jab from Mathers.
Mathers fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Good exchange - James coming out on top.

James fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Mathers sprawls well initially but James persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Mathers wants to improve his position but James is controlling well.
Mathers is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mathers is trying to stand.
James drops an elbow to the side of Mathers's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mathers looks like he's trying to stand up.
James has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Mathers regains full guard. Nicely done.
James won't allow Mathers to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Mathers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mathers is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Mathers avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
James working some strikes from top position.
James trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James throws a big elbow that misses.
James works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Mathers keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
James is looking to take a break and control but Mathers is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
James missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
James throwing shots but Mathers is blocking nicely.

James is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mathers doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time James.
James wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mathers keeps working.
James uses his free foot to push down on Mathers's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Mathers.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mathers is trying desperately to improve position.
Mathers is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
James lands a big elbow.
James working away from the top, dropping strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James with the ground and pound from mount.
James is in the full mount, landing strikes.
James lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

James looking for a guillotine from mount but Mathers is having none of it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
James landing strikes from the mount and Mathers is in trouble!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James scores with a couple of good head shots there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alun James dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Mathers steps to the side to avoid the strikes from James.
Mathers has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Mathers there as he acknowledges the shot.
Mathers swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
James scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
The fighters circling - James throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mathers takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
James scores with a one two! Mathers had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Mathers uses good head movement to avoid the hook from James.
Mathers slips under a jab from James.
James avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mathers lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Mathers misses with a looping left.

James closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mathers manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Alun James overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mathers trying to mount his opponent but James defends it.
James is looking to improve his position.
James trying to hold on to Mathers's head to control him but Mathers postures up.
James is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
James is looking to improve his position.

James is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mathers pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mathers stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
James scores with a hook to the body. Mathers takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
James swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mathers connects with a looping right hand.
James moves out of range of the leg kick from Mathers.
Mathers scores with a nice strike.
Mathers moves away from the strike by James.
A good leg kick by Mathers.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
James slips a straight right by Mathers.
Mathers throws a leg kick
and James counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mathers pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Marshall Mathers seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mathers keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mathers swings and misses with a hook to the body.
James takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from James.
Marshall Mathers is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
James misses with a series of wild punches.

James decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
James landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
James is looking to advance position but Mathers won't allow it.

James is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

James is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Mathers defends it well.
Mathers wants to sweep but James has passed to side control!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mathers is looking to reverse the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
James misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
James misses with the ground and pound.
James throwing shots but missing, from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alun James dominated that second round.
That's time! James's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

James checks the leg kick nicely there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mathers. James does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mathers misses with an uppercut.
James waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mathers.
Mathers scores with a kick to the body.
James throws a front kick aimed at Mathers's knee but Mathers avoids it well.
Mathers with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Mathers moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Mathers scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Mathers.
Mathers throws a lazy right hand but James sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mathers throws a head kick but James moves out of range.
Mathers stuffs the takedown.
James fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James lands the left hand.
Mathers swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A big right from James misses.
Mathers scoring well with a low kick there.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Mathers checks a leg kick.
James looks to land a left hand but Mathers moved out of range nicely.
James thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mathers chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Mathers connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Mathers misses with a hook. James ducked under it nicely.
A swing and a miss from Mathers.
Mathers misses with a kick to the body.
Marshall Mathers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mathers moves away.
James slips under a jab.
Mathers looks to land a left hand but James moved out of range nicely.
James is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
James throws a nice looking combination but Mathers bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mathers avoids the body shot from James.
Mathers looks for the body kick but James saw that one coming.
Mathers misses with a low kick.
James looks to score with a jab to the body but Mathers is just out of range.
Mathers misses with a low kick.
Mathers cracks James with an open hand slap.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
James is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Mathers thuds his shin into the meat of James's side.
Mathers swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mathers tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but James was well out of range. Poor timing from Mathers.
James scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
James moves out of range of the body kick.
Mathers throws an uppercut from half a mile away. James sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mathers throws a chopping leg kick but James manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
James scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
James moves out of range of the strikes.
Mathers throws a wild body kick that James sees coming a mile off.
Mathers fakes high and swings low for a body shot but James manages to avoid it.
James slips a jab from Mathers.
James slips a jab from Mathers.
James takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Alun James is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mathers misses with a wild body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Mathers throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mathers takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mathers will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
James darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
James throws a series of strikes that have Mathers backpedaling.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mathers throws a push kick but James slaps the foot to one side.
Mathers misses the jab.
James uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mathers.
Mathers throws a hook to the side of James's head but James sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
No joy there for Mathers, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
James moves out of range of the body kick from Mathers.
James catches Mathers with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

And that's the end of the fight!
Marshall Mathers comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think James 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 John Mangel scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 29:28
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alun James!
Alun James decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.