PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Miles Awsome (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xia Yaj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Miles Awsome could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Xia Yaj's chin.

Awsome
vs
Yaj

166 cm
26
135 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

168 cm
20
146 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Miles Awsome!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Xia Yaj!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Sam Margolis and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Awsome lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Yaj circles away quickly and effectively.
Yaj shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Awsome as he jumps to the side.
Yaj keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Awsome lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Yaj misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Yaj slips under a jab from Awsome.
Yaj takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Yaj misses with a combination
and Awsome connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Awsome gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in 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!
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Yaj is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Awsome wriggles free and stands up.
Yaj fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Awsome avoids it really well and circles away.
Miles Awsome has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xia Yaj.
Awsome throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Awsome swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Yaj counters with a left and a right that stings Awsome.

Yaj instigates a clinch.
Awsome is looking to break free of the clinch but Yaj has double underhooks.

Yaj pulls guard successfully.
Awsome would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Awsome stands and steps away. Yaj gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Yaj has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Awsome lands an overhand right.

Yaj is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yaj listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Yaj.
Yaj taking a breather here.
Awsome is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Yaj asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Yaj is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yaj working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Yaj trying to control the action but Awsome is working from the bottom.
Awsome is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Yaj has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Yaj decides to stand up, so the ref orders Awsome to his feet.
Awsome throws a right hand that misses

and Yaj counters by moving into the clinch.
Awsome misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Awsome misses with a body punch.
Yaj drops down looking for an ankle pick but Awsome pulls his leg out and moves away.
Yaj will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Awsome misses the shot to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Awsome misses with a body shot.
Awsome circles away from the clinch attempt.
Yaj lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Awsome circles away quickly and effectively.
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 Miles Awsome will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nice takedown defense from Awsome. No joy for Yaj on that attempt.
Awsome moves into range and connects with a jab.
Yaj shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Awsome as he avoids it easily.
Yaj scores with a head kick.
Awsome scores with a decent looking hook.
Awsome definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Awsome throws a body punch but Yaj moves out of range.
Awsome misses the shot to the body.

Yaj feints and as Awsome raises his hands in defense, Yaj changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Awsome wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Yaj manages to pass to side control.
Yaj working over Awsome with some ground and pound. Awsome looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yaj is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Awsome is trying to stand back up but Yaj is controlling him

Yaj wants to work for an arm triangle but Awsome is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Awsome wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yaj trying to control from half guard but Awsome is working away.
Yaj sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Yaj trying to control the action but Awsome is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yaj wants to free his trapped foot but Awsome is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Awsome pushes Yaj off looking to stand but Yaj dives back in and keeps control.
Xia Yaj has got the better of the ground game so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Xia Yaj was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Awsome swings for the body but Yaj moves out of range.
A slow jab from Yaj misses its intended target.
Yaj fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Miles Awsome has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xia Yaj.
Yaj closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Awsome throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Yaj.
Yaj is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Awsome fails to land with a series of punches.
Awsome waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Yaj.
Xia Yaj is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Yaj looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Yaj sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Awsome defending well though.
Awsome wants to stand back up but Yaj manages to pass into side control.
Yaj controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yaj looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Awsome is avoiding damage well.
Yaj content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Awsome is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Yaj moves into full mount!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yaj wants to take Awsome's back but he can't do it this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xia Yaj showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Yaj clinches with his opponent.
Awsome working aggressively here.
Awsome doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Yaj successfully pulls guard.

Yaj throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Yaj pulls Awsome in close to prevent any damage.
Awsome wants to stand but Yaj has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yaj is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Awsome defends well.
Yaj has control of Awsome's left arm, preventing Awsome from doing any damage.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Yaj is trying to control the position but Awsome postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Xia Yaj was stalling too much, according to the referee.
A head kick misses from Yaj.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Awsome throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Yaj stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Awsome jabs at Yaj's body.
Yaj wants to clinch.
Yaj shoots in but no luck this time.
Yaj moves in looking to clinch but Awsome pushes him off.

Yaj shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Awsome manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Awsome wants to stand but Yaj is controlling the position.

Awsome is working an open guard so Yaj takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yaj avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Awsome swings for the body but Yaj moves out of range.
Awsome throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Yaj.
Awsome thows a body shot but no joy.
Miles Awsome is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Awsome throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Awsome listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Awsome tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yaj was well out of range. Poor timing from Awsome.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Awsome tries to keep at a distance but Yaj has taken the fight into the clinch.

Yaj jumps guard.
Awsome wants to get up but he can't break Yaj's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Yaj looking to control.
Yaj pulls Awsome in close to his closed guard and prevents Awsome from doing any damage or advancing position.
Awsome tries to stand but Yaj is controlling from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xia Yaj comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Yaj 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xia Yaj!