PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Josh Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Jones
vs
James

189 cm
33
213 lbs
21 - 16 - 0

189 cm
39
215 lbs
17 - 19 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Powerful

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 21 - 16 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Josh Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nick James!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Radbod Blank and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jones lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Nick James has been cut.
Jones has a takedown stuffed.
Jones tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but James defends well and Jones ends up having to push James into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Jones has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by James after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Jones. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jones is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. James gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

James pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
James swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
James looks to land a combination but Jones avoids it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

James manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Jones on his heels. He'll look to pass Jones's guard now, I'm sure.
James is looking to work some ground and pound but Jones has wrist control.
James passes Jones's left leg - he's now in half 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!

James 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James is working for a kimura but Jones is defending it quite comfortably.
The fighters are battling for position here. Jones manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
James must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Jones is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. James is aware though and is defending well.
Jones wants to hit a switch here but James passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Jones there!
Jones is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

Jones defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Jones rolls, trying to escape but James keeps control of the position.

James working for the choke.
Jones can't escape the position.
Jones is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Jones definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James doesn't have the hooks in and Jones manages to turn into his guard.

Jones drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and James dives on top into guard.

James wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.
Jones keeping full guard, as James tries to pass.
Jones bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in James's guard.

James is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Jones trying to control the position from guard on top but James is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
James not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones is in close to James's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Jones has gone for a leg lock! James slips out almost immediately though and dives into Jones's guard.

Jones wants to sweep but no luck.

James postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Jones is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of James, into his guard.

James avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

James is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Jones defends well.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Jones stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. James swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick James dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nick James's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Jones shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

James 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.

James working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Jones doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Jones manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

James is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Jones has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of James is proving hard to escape from.
Jones with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones with a nice head shot there.

James is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Jones defends well.
Jones works over James with some ground and pound from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jones accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Jones 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.
James keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.
Jones trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jones wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.

Jones thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Jones avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Jones works over James with some ground and pound from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

James had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Jones defends it easily.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

James is looking for a triangle but Jones pushes his legs off easily.

James 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.
James is breathing heavily.
Jones wanted to stand there but James had control of the position.

James 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.

James throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Nick James has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones advances to half guard.

Jones is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
James tries to roll over but Jones keeps him under control.

Jones wants to work for an arm triangle but James is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Jones is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and James defends it well.

Jones stands up and beckons James to join him on the feet.
Jones keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones darts in looking for a takedown but James gets double underhooks and turns Jones into the ropes.

Jones is working on a single leg takedown against the ropes. James can't fight it off and eventually Jones manages to take the fight to the floor. James looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Jones drops back looking for a leg! James is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and James manages to kick Jones off! Jones jumps back into James's guard.
Jones throws a big right hand that misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

James is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Jones is aware though and is defending well.
Jones keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of James's head.
Jones postures up and lands a big shot to James's brow.
Jones stopping the sweep attempt from James.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Jones dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Nick James's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

James fails to land with a series of punches.

Jones looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Jones postures up.
Jones trying to control but James is working from the bottom.
Jones won't allow James to sweep him here.
Jones throwing strikes but missing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones pushing down on James's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
James takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

James is defending against the submission attempts here by Jones.
James is looking to control Jones's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can James avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones lands strikes from half guard.
Jones thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed James's head.
Jones drops an elbow to the side of James's head.
Jones thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed James's head.
The fighters are battling for position here. James manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Jones with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Jones thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Jones wants to stand but James has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Jones connects with a couple of short punches.
Jones is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that James can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones forces his way into half guard.
Jones 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.

Jones is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, James has managed to free his arm - good work.
James trying to control here.
Jones looks to land a strike but James avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Jones cracks James with a solid left hand.

James throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Jones is working James over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
James preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

James looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Jones avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
James looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jones is one step ahead there.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Jones's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Jones forces his way into half guard.
James taking some punishment here, with Jones in his half guard.

James looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Jones connects with a nice short shot to James's temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones lands with a punch from half guard.
James is looking to control Jones's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can James avoid being mounted?

Jones is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and James defends it well.
James wants to improve his position but Jones is controlling well.

Jones is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. James doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Jones.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jones working over James with some ground and pound. James looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josh Jones showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Jones 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Jones!