PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Justin Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raphael Bowie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bowie has chosen 300 Violin Orchestra - Jorge Quintero as his entrance music. 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.

Jones
vs
Bowie

186 cm
32
205 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

195 cm
29
210 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Justin Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Raphael Bowie!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Winston Howard and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Jones manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Bowie on his heels. He'll look to pass Bowie's guard now, I'm sure.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Jones scoring with punches to the head and body.

Bowie is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Jones is aware though and is defending well.
Bowie 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.
Jones with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Jones stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bowie swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Jones throwing strikes but missing.
Jones trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bowie keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.

Bowie throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jones trying to control but Bowie is working from the bottom.
Bowie is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Bowie is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Jones is aware though and is defending well.
Jones scoring with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones wants to control from the top but Bowie keeps moving.
Jones throws a big right hand that misses.
Bowie manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Jones manages to get himself to full guard.
Jones looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Jones working for a triangle but Bowie defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Bowie from controlling successfully.
Jones tries to strike from the bottom.
Jones is trying to control the position but Bowie postures up.
We've been hearing good reports from Jones's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bowie postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bowie is looking to work some ground and pound but Jones has wrist control.
Jones bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bowie's guard.
Bowie working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jones.

Jones got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bowie has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Jones has managed to get both his arms back between Bowie's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones passes Bowie's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bowie is trying to get back to full guard.

Jones is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Bowie has managed to free his arm - good work.
Bowie manages to get to full guard.
Jones postures up in Bowie's guard and throws a big left but Bowie blocks it.
Bowie tries to land a sweep but no joy.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jones accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bowie trying to control the position.
Jones is pushing down on Bowie's leg trying to pass to half guard. Bowie is fighting to maintain full guard but Jones has managed to sneak the leg through.

Jones is working for a submission of some sort.
Bowie trying to hold on to Jones's head to control him but Jones postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones is trying to control. Bowie wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Bowie wants to improve his position but Jones is controlling well.
Bowie is not content to let Jones control the position.
Well, if Jones is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

We're going to have a standup here because Justin Jones wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Bowie fails with a takedown attempt.

Jones has Bowie up against the cage in a clinch.
Bowie tries to stall but Jones uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bowie wants to take the fight to the mat but Jones manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Jones is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Bowie can't fight it off and eventually Jones manages to take the fight to the floor. Bowie looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Jones trying to control the position from guard on top but Bowie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jones tries to free his leg and advance position but Bowie is retaining full guard.
Jones trying to control but Bowie is working from the bottom.

Bowie escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Jones gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Bowie has his foot on Jones's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Jones works his way back into a safe position though.

Bowie escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Jones gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jones wants to control from the top but Bowie keeps moving.
Jones scoring with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Jones dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bowie looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Jones looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Jones preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
My spies in Madz inform me that Bowie has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Jones bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bowie's guard.

Bowie is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Bowie wants to sweep but no luck.
Jones wants to control from the top but Bowie keeps moving.

Bowie is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Jones defends well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jones trying to control the position from guard on top but Bowie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones landing with the ground and pound.

Bowie has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Jones can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Jones drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Jones jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Jones avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Jones tries to free his leg and advance position but Bowie is retaining full guard.
Jones distracts Bowie with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Bowie has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Jones can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Jones pushes down on Bowie's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Bowie is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones is keen to just control but Bowie is a slippery customer.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Jones lands a nice short elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Jones looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Bowie moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Jones lands a couple of digs.

Bowie is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Jones defends well.
Justin Jones overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jones drops back looking for a leg! Bowie is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Bowie manages to kick Jones off! Jones jumps back into Bowie's guard.
Jones with a nice head shot there.

Bowie is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Bowie keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.
Jones postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Jones trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bowie bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Jones's guard.
Bowie preventing the sweep.
Bowie lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Bowie postures up in Jones's guard and throws a big left but Jones blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones wants to sweep here but Bowie controlling him for the moment.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bowie postures up in Jones's guard and throws a big left but Jones blocks it.
Bowie won't allow Jones to sweep him here.
Bowie throwing strikes from guard but Jones blocks nicely.
Bowie throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Jones tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Jones is working hard here to advance position.

Bowie is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Jones pulls Bowie in close to his closed guard and prevents Bowie from doing any damage or advancing position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jones keeping full guard, as Bowie tries to pass.
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 Justin Jones 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. This is the final round!

A lazy left from Bowie finds it's target.
Bowie shoots in for a double leg but Jones sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Jones shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Bowie manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Jones wants to control from the top but Bowie keeps moving.
Jones works over Bowie with some ground and pound from guard.
Jones trying to control but Bowie is working from the bottom.

Bowie throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Jones trying to control but Bowie is working from the bottom.

Bowie is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Jones defends well.
Bowie keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jones drops back looking for a leg! Bowie is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Bowie manages to kick Jones off! Jones jumps back into Bowie's guard.
Jones trying to control the position from guard on top but Bowie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Jones drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Jones jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Jones throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bowie works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jones trying to control the position from guard on top but Bowie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bowie is on top in guard.
Bowie in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bowie preventing the sweep.
Bowie being controlled here momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bowie keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Jones's head.
Bowie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bowie makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Jones is on top in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Bowie escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Jones gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Jones landing with the ground and pound.
Bowie can't keep his opponent in guard - Jones advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Bowie is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jones is working for a kimura but Bowie is defending it quite comfortably.
Jones is keen to just control but Bowie is a slippery customer.
Bowie works his way to full guard. Good work.

Bowie throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Bowie has his foot on Jones's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Jones works his way back into a safe position though.
Bowie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bowie looking for a sweep. Not yet Bowie, not yet.
Jones scoring with some ground and pound.
Jones is in close to Bowie's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Jones stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bowie swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Jones landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bowie keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.
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!
Jones is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Bowie is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Bowie has an active guard here but Jones has managed to pass into half guard.
Jones throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Jones is working for a submission of some sort.
Jones is looking to take a break and control but Bowie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jones slips a nice elbow through Bowie's hands, connecting with Bowie's forehead.

And that's the end of the fight!
Justin Jones showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Jones, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:28
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justin Jones!
Our winner, Justin Jones, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.