PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Abdual Jemall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Mott (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.

Jemall
vs
Mott

180 cm
33
152 lbs
26 - 17 - 1

170 cm
29
158 lbs
20 - 12 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Abdual Jemall!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 12 - 1, fighting out of New York, John Mott!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Daniel Cesar and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mott on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Mott scores with a jab to the head.
Jemall connects with a looping right hand.
Jemall tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mott swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jemall avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mott shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Jemall pinned against the cage. Jemall gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Jemall lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mott circles away quickly and effectively.
Mott tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Mott throws a leg kick but Jemall sees it coming and moves out of range.
Mott misses with a wild body shot.
Jemall pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jemall avoids the body shot from Mott.
Mott fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Mott pivots, looking for a leg kick but Jemall is out of range and Mott settles back down.
Mott throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jemall throws a nice outside leg kick.
Mott throws a shot to the body.
Jemall comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Jemall cracks the inside of Mott's front leg.
Mott throws a right and a left that Jemall avoids nicely.
Jemall slaps away a takedown attempt from Mott, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Abdual Jemall has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Mott.
Mott looks winded!
Jemall throws a head kick that Mott semi-blocks.
Jemall paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Jemall tries a head kick but it misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jemall looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice straight punches there by Mott. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Mott.
Mott misses the jab.
Good exchange - Jemall coming out on top.
Nice takedown defense from Jemall. No joy for Mott on that attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A thudding body kick lands there by Jemall!
Mott looks for a takedown but Jemall sprawls well.
Mott moves out of range of the body kick.
Mott on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Jemall. Jemall obviously looking to wear him down.
Jemall fails with a takedown attempt.
Mott thows a leg kick but Jemall checks it
and Jemall counters with a low kick, right behind Mott 's knee.
Mott leaves Jemall with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Mott throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Jemall closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Jemall manages to break the clinch.
Mott blocks a jab.

Jemall drives through with a takedown into Mott's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jemall works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Jemall is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Mott tries to roll over but Jemall keeps him under control.
Mott keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Mott is not content to let Jemall control the position.
Mott tries to kick Jemall off but Jemall keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Jemall scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Mott slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Jemall wants to control from the top but Mott keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mott is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Jemall is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Jemall wants to stand but Mott has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mott looking for a sweep. Not yet Mott, not yet.

Jemall postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Mott is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Jemall, into his guard.
Jemall is trying to control the position but Mott postures up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jemall tries to work over Mott's front leg with a kick but Mott checks it.
Jemall misses with a body kick.

Jemall drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Mott working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jemall.
Mott striking off his back but it's not causing Jemall any problems.

Mott is looking for a triangle but Jemall pushes his legs off easily.
Jemall stands and throws Mott's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Mott is looking for a sweep.
Mott is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Mott gets back to half guard.

Jemall is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
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!
Mott is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jemall stalling.
Mott is looking for a sweep. Jemall is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Jemall is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Mott is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Jemall's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Jemall's back!
Jemall is keeping busy.
Jemall manages to reverse the position and now he's in Mott's guard. Nice work there by Jemall.
Jemall pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mott is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jemall is looking to work some ground and pound but Mott has wrist control.
Jemall wants to control from the top but Mott keeps moving.
Jemall loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mott wants to sweep here but Jemall controlling him for the moment.
Mott bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Jemall's guard.
Mott missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Jemall preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mott trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jemall looking for a sweep. Not yet Jemall, not yet.
Mott lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Jemall wants to hit a switch here but Mott passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Jemall there!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mott lands with some strikes.
Mott trying to control but Jemall is having none of it.
Mott landing strikes, looking to finish!
Jemall can't escape the position.
Jemall is working hard here to advance position.
Mott tries to control but Jemall wriggling away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jemall regains half guard.
Jemall blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mott.
Mott wants to lay and pray for a moment but Jemall keeps working.
Jemall tries to get to full guard but Mott has control of the leg.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
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 Abdual Jemall will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Jemall misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mott.
Jemall tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Mott looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Jemall is fending him off so far but Mott persists. Nope, Jemall circles away and we're back to standing.
Mott closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jemall circles away.
Jemall leaves Mott with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Abdual Jemall has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Mott.

Jemall scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Jemall is looking to take a break and control but Mott is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mott is looking for a sweep.
Mott can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jemall controlling the position from side mount.
Mott looking for a sweep but Jemall has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Mott is looking to improve his position but Jemall isn't that keen on the idea.
Jemall tries to control but Mott wriggling away.
Jemall connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Mott is looking to improve his position but Jemall isn't that keen on the idea.

Jemall goes for an armbar but Mott turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Mott.
Jemall controls Mott momentarily but Mott frees himself.
Abdual Jemall is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mott is looking to advance position but Jemall has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Jemall content just to control the position here.
Mott tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Jemall sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mott is desperately trying to improve his position but Jemall has a good base and remains in mount.
Jemall looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Jemall seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Mott for as long as he can get away with.
Jemall's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Jemall trying to control but Mott is having none of it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Abdual Jemall.
Mott keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mott is trying desperately to land a takedown but Jemall is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Mott.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jemall connects with the punch.
Mott throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
John Mott is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Jemall enables Mott to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Jemall manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Jemall has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Jemall has a closed guard, preventing Mott from standing up.
Mott wants to pass the guard but Jemall is keeping the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jemall is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
John Mott has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mott throws a strike but Jemall rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abdual Jemall showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Jemall has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:28
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abdual Jemall!
A determined Abdual Jemall didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!