PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tommy James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mathurin Kerbouchard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Tuesday's Gone. Mathurin Kerbouchard told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

James
vs
Kerbouchard

189 cm
23
206 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

190 cm
27
216 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

Vitality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tommy James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mathurin Kerbouchard!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Trevor Gratis and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James misses with a looping left.
James scores with a nice right hand.
James throws out a loose jab but Kerbouchard uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head kick misses from James.
James misses with a body shot.
James throws the left hand but Kerbouchard avoids the punch easily.
Kerbouchard walks into a left hand.
James throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
James misses with a combination

and Kerbouchard decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in James's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
James avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Kerbouchard 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 Kerbouchard, into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kerbouchard throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! James escapes and throws Kerbouchard's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Kerbouchard sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Kerbouchard is striking from the bottom but he's now found himself mounted! Oh dear - not enough focus on defense there.
James wants to control the action but instead Kerbouchard gets a body lock and reverses into James's guard! Nice work!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kerbouchard drops back, looking for a kneebar! James looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. James looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from James!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kerbouchard regains half guard.
Kerbouchard tries to get to full guard but James has control of the leg.
Kerbouchard pushes James off looking to stand but James dives back in and keeps control.
Kerbouchard wants to get back to full guard but James has passed into side control.
James tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Kerbouchard looking for a sweep but James has passed into full mount! Oh no!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerbouchard tries to lock up and control but James gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kerbouchard is working to get back to half guard.
Kerbouchard regains half guard.
Kerbouchard wants to control the action here but instead James manages to pass to full mount!
Kerbouchard tries to get back to half guard but can't.
James looking to control and managing it successfully.
Kerbouchard is looking to improve his position but James isn't that keen on the idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kerbouchard is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
James content just to control the position here.
Kerbouchard is trying desperately to improve position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mathurin Kerbouchard will probably get the nod.
That's time! James's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kerbouchard staying out of range there.
James throws a combination that misses

so Kerbouchard counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kerbouchard looking to sit in guard and control but James gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Kerbouchard wants to improve his position but instead James has moved into half guard.
Kerbouchard regains full guard. Nicely done.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerbouchard trying to keep a closed guard but James is proving a slippery customer.

Kerbouchard throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Kerbouchard is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. James is aware though and is defending well.
Kerbouchard looking to control but James passes into half guard.
James is looking to take a break and control but Kerbouchard is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kerbouchard looking for submissions off his back.
Kerbouchard has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. James is working away from the top position though.
Kerbouchard wants to get back to full guard.
James wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kerbouchard keeps working.

Kerbouchard has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for James. Oh but Kerbouchard has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! James goes limp - he's gone! Kerbouchard jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Mathurin Kerbouchard!
During a confident post fight interview, Mathurin Kerbouchard thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.