PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tony Jaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and De Bruyne (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.

Jaa
vs
Bruyne

185 cm
18
184 lbs
1 - 0 - 1

175 cm
18
166 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Devotion Energy Inc (Laundry)(Flights)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Tony Jaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, De Bruyne!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Chris Saunders and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jaa connects with a good right hand that stumbles Bruyne. Bruyne circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Bruyne has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Bruyne dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Jaa shoots in looking for a takedown but Bruyne manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Jaa's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Bruyne works Jaa's body with a nice hook.
Jaa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bruyne.
Jaa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Jaa throws a right hand that misses

and Bruyne counters by moving into the clinch.
Jaa has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bruyne avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Jaa goes for a takedown in the clinch but Bruyne prevents it.
I was talking to Jaa's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tony Jaa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bruyne presses Jaa against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Bruyne.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bruyne.
Bruyne lands a nice shot to the body.
Jaa's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bruyne lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Jaa backwards.
Bruyne prevents Jaa from breaking the clinch.
Bruyne avoids a wild elbow strike from Jaa.
A right handed body shot lands from Bruyne.
Jaa is breathing heavily.
A nice right hand lands inside from Bruyne.
Bruyne scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Jaa is trying to drag Bruyne to the mat but Bruyne just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bruyne lands a body punch.

Bruyne's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jaa misses with an uppercut

and Bruyne counters by moving into the clinch.

Jaa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bruyne lands a two punch combo.
Bruyne connects with a body shot.
Jaa tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bruyne sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jaa somewhat.
Jab, jab by Bruyne - just one landing.
Jaa on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A big left from Jaa misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Bruyne has taken the fight to the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Bruyne scores with a nice short uppercut.
Bruyne tries to land a knee to the head but Jaa blocks with his arms.
Bruyne gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Jaa.

Jaa turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Jaa manages to end up in side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Sloppy strikes there by Jaa.
Bruyne is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Jaa's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Bruyne slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Bruyne can do anything to dispel that myth.
Jaa postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Bruyne holds on and takes a little breather.
Bruyne 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.
Jaa throws an elbow that misses. Bruyne uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Jaa's guard. Nice move by Bruyne!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bruyne preventing the sweep.
Jaa being controlled here, momentarily.
Bruyne works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Jaa is trying to get back to full guard.
Jaa wants to sweep but Bruyne has passed to side control!
Bruyne moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
You can see the frustration on Jaa's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaa being controlled for a moment.
Jaa tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Bruyne presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Bruyne controlling the position easily from mount.
Jaa is trying to reverse the position but instead Bruyne has taken his back - oops!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bruyne biding his time, looking for the opening.
You can see the frustration on Jaa's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jaa throws an off balance right hand

and Bruyne counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Jaa changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Bruyne fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Bruyne rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Jaa moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Bruyne rushes Jaa and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bruyne.
Jaa looking for a takedown.
Bruyne is pressed up against the cage. Jaa has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Bruyne down to the mat. Bruyne avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tony Jaa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jaa swings widly with a right hand
and Bruyne counters with a straight right hand.
The fighters circle momentarily. Jaa darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Jaa throws a poor cross that misses

and Bruyne counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Jaa looking for a takedown.
Bruyne is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Jaa is defending well for now.
Bruyne blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jaa tries for a takedown. No joy.
A short right from Bruyne on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bruyne lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Bruyne stops a takedown attempt from Jaa.
De Bruyne seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bruyne lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bruyne lands a body shot.
Jaa can't get the takedown.
Bruyne is working Jaa over against the cage.
Bruyne lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Jaa avoids a wild elbow strike from Bruyne.
Bruyne pressing his opponent against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bruyne creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Jaa drops down looking for an ankle pick but Bruyne pulls his leg out and moves away.
De Bruyne is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jaa throws a right hand that misses
and Jaa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Left hook, right uppercut from Bruyne.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bruyne throws a head kick that misses.
Bruyne lands a body shot.
Jaa takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Bruyne scores with a nice strike.

Jaa is rocked!
Jaa takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Oh Jaa is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Jaa gets caught by a big overhand right and goes down! Bruyne gets on top of him and starts throwing some serious punches until the ref intervenes and stops the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). De Bruyne!