PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Deanthony Wagner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Wagner
vs
Jones

183 cm
19
145 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

167 cm
25
135 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Determined

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 Hilo, Deanthony Wagner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Michael Jones!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Ryoma Takatsuka and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jones takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Wagner throws a right and a left that both miss.
Jones is trying hard to land a takedown here. Wagner sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
No joy there for Wagner, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jones is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Wagner.
Wagner throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Jones counters with a two punch combo.
Jones showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Wagner.
Wagner looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Wagner misses with a two punch combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wagner dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wagner displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Jones.
Wagner throws a series of punches but Jones avoids them all with ease.
Jones tries for a takedown but Wagner sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Deanthony Wagner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Jones.
Sloppy strikes from Wagner. Those never looked like landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wagner throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Wagner swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Wagner keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Wagner misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Jones misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Wagner tries to bum rush Jones with a series of wild strikes but Jones uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Jones closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Jones working the head and body with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jones is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Wagner reverses the position - he's now on top in Jones's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Jones can do anything to dispel that myth.
Wagner is fighting to break Jones's control of his arms but Jones is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wagner slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Wagner's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Wagner with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wagner sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wagner preventing the sweep.
Wagner throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Jones works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Wagner decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Jones, up you get!
Wagner lands a two punch combo.
Wagner lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Wagner.
Jones slips a jab and a cross from Wagner.
Jones changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Wagner tries to avoid it but Jones manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Wagner to the ground. Wagner escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones fails with a takedown attempt.
Wagner misses with a few strikes there.
Jones misses with a takedown
and Wagner counters with a two punch combo.
Jones takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
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!
Wagner shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Jones decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Wagner's guard.
Jones missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Jones makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Jones with a flurry of punches that miss.
Jones working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Wagner's head.
Jones really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Wagner. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Wagner is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A right-left combo lands from Wagner.
Wagner lands an overhand right.
Jones throws a series of punches but Wagner moves out of range.
Horrible takedown attempt by Jones or perhaps it was just good defense by Wagner, which made it look bad.
Wagner misses with the combination.
Wagner throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Deanthony Wagner is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Jones darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Jones working Wagner over with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wagner trying to control but Jones postures up.
Wagner won't allow Jones to pass to mount.
Wagner is not content to let Jones control the position.
Wagner moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Wagner wants to sweep here but Jones controlling him for the moment.
Jones landing with the ground and pound.
Wagner is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Wagner really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones is doing well to control the position and prevent Wagner from advancing to side control.
Jones looks like he's trying to stand up.
Wagner prevents Jones from improving his position.
Jones is doing well to control the position and prevent Wagner from advancing to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wagner wants to take a breather but Jones is having none of it.
Wagner is really struggling to control Jones but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Wagner decides to stand up.
Jones displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Wagner.
Jones looks to score with a jab to the body but Wagner is just out of range.
Wagner shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Jones counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones is trying to control. Wagner wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Wagner is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Jones can do to turn this around?
Jones throwing shots but Wagner is blocking nicely.
Wagner tries to roll over but Jones keeps him under control.
Jones seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Wagner does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Jones thows a huge punch but Wagner dodges it nicely.
Wagner tries to roll over but Jones keeps him under control.
Wagner pushes Jones off looking to stand but Jones dives back in and keeps control.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wagner is looking to improve his position.
Jones seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Michael Jones will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Wagner's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Jones closes the distance and clinches up with Wagner, looking for a takedown. Jones pushes Wagner against the cage but Wagner circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Wagner throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Jones.
Jones dodges the punch combination from Wagner.
Wagner throws a nice looking combination but Jones bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Jones shoots for a double leg takedown but Wagner sprawls well. He's pushed Jones's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jones throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Wagner's waist but Wagner gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Jones off to one side.
Deanthony Wagner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Jones.
Wagner looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nice takedown defense from Wagner. No joy for Jones on that attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Jones has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Jones there as he acknowledges the shot.
Jones shoots in for a takedown but Wagner shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Jones takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Left hook, right uppercut from Wagner.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wagner lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Jones takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Wagner fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Jones shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Wagner manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Jones must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Wagner 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 landing some decent shots from guard.
Jones with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Jones postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wagner keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.
Wagner is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jones missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Jones working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Jones chips away with some ground and pound.
Jones with a nice head shot there.
Jones keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Wagner's head.
Wagner striking off his back but it's not causing Jones any problems.
Jones working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Wagner looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wagner tries to bum rush Jones with a series of wild strikes but Jones uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jones rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Wagner moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Wagner jabs Jones to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Wagner throws a nice looking combination but Jones bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Jones shoots in and gets a takedown into Wagner's guard.
Jones trying to control but Wagner is working from the bottom.
Wagner keeping full guard, as Jones tries to pass.
Wagner looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Jones pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Wagner is keeping the position for now.
Michael Jones has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wagner working a defensive guard here.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Jones works over Wagner with some ground and pound from guard.
Jones wants to control from the top but Wagner keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Wagner misses with a combination
and Jones counters with a one-two to the body.
Wagner throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Wagner throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Deanthony Wagner is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wagner misses the shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Deanthony Wagner showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Wagner 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 Josh West scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Deanthony Wagner!
During a confident post fight interview, Deanthony Wagner thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.