PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jo Jo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Deeney (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jo comes to the cage accompanied by Set You Free. Deeney is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: When We Ride. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Jo
vs
Deeney

170 cm
25
155 lbs
8 - 10 - 0

173 cm
29
159 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jo Jo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mark Deeney!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Jo is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Deeney's half guard.
Deeney blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jo.
We've been hearing good reports from Jo'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.
Deeney wants to control but Jo is keeping busy.

Jo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jo perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Jo is trying to control. Deeney wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Deeney is positioning himself well to prevent Jo advancing to mount.

Jo is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jo not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Deeney slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jo trying to control but Deeney is working from the bottom.
Deeney trying to control the position.
Jo trying to control the position from guard on top but Deeney is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Jo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Jo trying to control but Deeney is working from the bottom.
Jo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Jo 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.
Jo trying to control but Deeney is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deeney looking for a sweep. Not yet Deeney, not yet.
Jo stops Deeney from standing up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Jo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jo wants to control from the top but Deeney keeps moving.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Jo with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Deeney avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Deeney avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Jo wants to pass the guard but Deeney is keeping the position.
Deeney has momentary wrist control but Jo slips an elbow through the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Deeney is pulling down on Jo's head. It's preventing any offense from Jo, at least for the moment.
Deeney is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Jo is controlling him.
Jo trying to control the position from guard on top but Deeney is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jo wants to pass the guard but Deeney is keeping the position.
Jo trying to control the position from guard on top but Deeney is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Jo Jo.
Deeney misses with a body kick.
Jo darts in looking for a takedown but Deeney gets double underhooks and turns Jo into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deeney with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Deeney with a knee to the head.
Deeney dodges an elbow strike from Jo.
Deeney's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Deeney lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Jo Jo has been cut.
Deeney tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Deeney is pressed up against the cage. Jo has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Deeney down to the mat. Deeney avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Jo chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Deeney can pounce on him.
Jo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Deeney circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jo Jo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
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 fight moves into the clinch position.
Jo misses with some punches.
Jo misses with the head strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jo wants to take the fight to the mat but Deeney manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Jo blocks an elbow strike.
Jo being controlled against the cage.
Deeney landing knees to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jo Jo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jo Jo's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ouch! a nice leg kick from Deeney, right into the meat.
Jo Jo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jo tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Deeney manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jo throws a hook but Deeney blocks it.

Jo moves into the clinch.
Deeney scores with a knee to the head.
Jo swings wildly with an uppercut but Deeney uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Deeney.
Deeney lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Deeney gets underhooks to prevent Jo's takedown attempt.
Deeney gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Jo.
Jo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Deeney fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jo Jo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jo tries to clinch there but Deeney circles away.
Jo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Deeney.

Jo rushes Deeney and presses him up against the cage.
Deeney with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Deeney connects with a knee to the head.
Deeney lands a hook that snaps the head of Jo backwards.
Jo wants to take the fight to the mat but Deeney manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Deeney is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Deeney crunches a lovely knee into Jo's ribcage.
Jo is trying to drag Deeney to the mat but Deeney just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Jo has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Deeney is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Jo blocks an elbow strike.
Deeney stalling.
Jo scores with a shot to the side of Deeney's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jo tries for a takedown. No joy.
Jo misses with an elbow over the top.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Deeney unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Deeney landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Deeney with a knee to the head.
Jo is trying to pull guard but Deeney has him pressed against the cage.
Deeney looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Deeney misses with a knee to the head.
Deeney will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Jo up against the cage.
Deeney lands a knee to the head.
Jo is working for takedown but Deeney is calmly controlling the position for now.
Mark Deeney seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Deeney gets underhooks to prevent Jo's takedown attempt.
Jo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Jo tries to pull guard but Deeney holds him up against the cage and eventually Jo drops back down to his feet.
Deeney is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Deeney.
Jo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Deeney misses with a knee to the head.
Deeney tries a knee to the head but Jo blocks it.
Jo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Deeney fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Deeney connects with a solid leg kick.
Deeney defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jo.
Deeney lands a nice looking body kick.
Deeney jabs Jo right on the nose. Jo blinks but takes it well.
Deeney thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Jo if he has to take too many more of those.
Deeney connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Jo's hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Deeney as he avoids it easily.
Deeney slaps away a takedown attempt from Jo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Deeney works the jab nicely.
Jo stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Deeney.
Deeney scores with a kick to the body.
Deeney moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Deeney.
Deeney lands a nice leg kick that just misses Jo's sensitive parts.
Deeney connects with a body shot.
Deeney throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
A nice leg kick lands there from Deeney.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Deeney fakes the leg kick and cracks Jo in the body.
Deeney throws a nice outside leg kick.

Deeney darts in and clinches Jo up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Deeney showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jo Jo's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Deeney fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Jo has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Jo on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Deeney. Deeney obviously looking to wear him down.
Jo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Deeney circles away.
Deeney has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Jo takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Deeney lands with a nice body kick.
Jo gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Deeney counters with a thumping low kick.
Jo on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Deeney. Deeney obviously looking to wear him down.
Deeney thuds his right hand into Jo's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Jo darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Deeney keeping control of the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Deeney wants to improve his position but Jo is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jo is looking for a kimura here.

Jo 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.

Jo is looking for a kimura but Deeney is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Jo to get the leverage.
Jo throwing shots but Deeney is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deeney wants to control but Jo is keeping busy.
Jo prevents Deeney from standing back up.
Jo missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Deeney is trying to stand back up but Jo is controlling him
Jo thows a huge punch but Deeney dodges it nicely.

Jo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Deeney tries to kick Jo off but Jo keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Jo is trying to control the action in half guard but Deeney is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Jo 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.

Deeney is defending against the submission attempts here by Jo.

Jo is trying to work for a kimura but Deeney is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jo not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Deeney blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jo.
Jo missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Jo working Deeney over with strikes.
Deeney is trying to stand back up but Jo is controlling him
Jo content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Jo is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Deeney is just riding it out for now. Jo eventually gives up the hold.
Jo Jo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Deeney trying to control but Jo postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jo 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.

Jo seems to be working for a kimura but Deeney defends the submission attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jo wants to control but Deeney is keeping him busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jo Jo.
I think Jo 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jo Jo!
A very excited looking Jo Jo made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.