PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Julio Cesar Chavez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mahlito Jenzi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mahlito Jenzi is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Cesar Chavez
vs
Jenzi

183 cm
21
170 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

170 cm
21
164 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

V-Mask Clothing + 70% laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Julio Cesar Chavez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mahlito Jenzi!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Josh West and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jenzi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Chavez avoids it really well and circles away.
Chavez has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Jenzi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Chavez.
A jab from Chavez does it's job there.
Chavez throws a hook to the side of Jenzi's head but Jenzi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Jenzi drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Chavez keeping moving, preventing Jenzi from controlling successfully.
Chavez on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Chavez tries to get out of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Jenzi thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Jenzi looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chavez pulls Jenzi in close to prevent any damage.
Jenzi wants to pass the guard but Chavez is keeping the position.
Jenzi slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Chavez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Jenzi.
Jenzi fails with a takedown attempt.
Julio Cesar Chavez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mahlito Jenzi.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jenzi.
Jenzi doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Chavez counters with a stiff right hand.
Chavez connects with a looping right hand.
Jenzi shoots and misses
letting Chavez counter with a right hand.
Chavez is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A looping hook to the body misses from Chavez. Jenzi does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chavez throws a nice outside leg kick.
Chavez misses with a few strikes there.
Chavez lands a nice looking body shot.
Julio Cesar Chavez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Chavez keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Jenzi tries for a takedown but Chavez circles away easily
and Chavez cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Chavez scores with a hook.
A head kick misses from Jenzi.
Jenzi shoots in looking for a takedown. Chavez tries to sprawl out of it but Jenzi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Chavez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice takedown defense from Chavez. No joy for Jenzi on that attempt.
Jenzi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Chavez circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jenzi looks for a takedown but Chavez sprawls well.
Chavez blocks a head kick by Jenzi.
Jenzi misses with a takedown attempt - Chavez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Chavez stuns Jenzi with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Chavez throws out a powerful jab.
Jenzi fails with a takedown attempt.
Jenzi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Jenzi looks winded!
Chavez lets loose with a powerful body kick. Jenzi will feel that in the morning.
Mahlito Jenzi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Chavez jabs Jenzi to the body, keeping him at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julio Cesar Chavez dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Jenzi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Jenzi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Chavez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Jenzi manages to avoid it.
Chavez fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Jenzi on the side of the head.

Jenzi looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Jenzi wants to take a breather but Chavez is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chavez gets full guard.
Jenzi would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jenzi trying to control but Chavez is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Jenzi 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.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Chavez. No joy for Jenzi on that attempt.
Good exchange - Chavez coming out on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Jenzi darts in looking for a takedown but Chavez gets double underhooks and turns Jenzi into the cage.
Julio Cesar Chavez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mahlito Jenzi.
Chavez makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Chavez's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Chavez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jenzi chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Chavez can pounce on him.
Jenzi misses with a takedown attempt - Chavez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
No luck for Jenzi with that takedown attempt.
Chavez cracks Jenzi with a right hand to the side of the head.
Jab from Chavez.
Jenzi takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jenzi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Chavez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Chavez lands a nice shot to the body.

Jenzi darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Jenzi is breathing heavily.
Chavez is trying to get back to full guard.
Chavez is refusing to be controlled, as Jenzi sits in half guard.
Chavez is doing well to control the position and prevent Jenzi from advancing to side control.

Jenzi is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jenzi is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Chavez has managed to free his arm - good work.
Jenzi is looking to stall here but Chavez recovers full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chavez keeping full guard, as Jenzi tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julio Cesar Chavez dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Jenzi tries for a takedown but Chavez circles away easily
and Chavez counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Chavez throws a body punch but Jenzi moves out of range.
Chavez takes a swing at Jenzi's ribcage but misses.
Jenzi dives in and grabs Chavez's left leg, looking for a takedown. Chavez pushes down on Jenzi's head and hops out.
Horrible takedown attempt by Jenzi or perhaps it was just good defense by Chavez, which made it look bad.
Julio Cesar Chavez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mahlito Jenzi.
Nice takedown defense from Chavez. No joy for Jenzi on that attempt.
Jenzi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Jenzi shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Jenzi showed some decent athleticism there.
Jenzi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Chavez tries to get to full guard but Jenzi has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chavez is staying active underneath Jenzi, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Chavez is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Jenzi jumps into side control!

Jenzi tries for a kimura but Chavez is defending well.
You can see the frustration on Chavez's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Jenzi working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Jenzi tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Chavez can't do much from the bottom here.
Mahlito Jenzi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jenzi wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Chavez, who protects the arm well.
Mahlito Jenzi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Chavez is looking to regain half guard here but Jenzi keeps moving and retains side control.

Jenzi tries for a kimura but Chavez is defending well.

Jenzi swings around for an armbar but Chavez sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Jenzi's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chavez is stalling in the full guard.
Chavez is looking to pass into half guard but Jenzi pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Jenzi is in guard.

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Chavez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jenzi.
Jenzi wants to control from the top but Chavez keeps moving.
Julio Cesar Chavez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jenzi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mahlito Jenzi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Chavez 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Josh West scores the fight 29:28
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Julio Cesar Chavez!
The defeated Mahlito Jenzi had this to say: ' I think the fight would go very differently next time around'.