PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joy James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Emil Cioran (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

James
vs
Cioran

189 cm
26
210 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

190 cm
27
221 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Highland Clothing

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 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Joy James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Emil Cioran!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Dirk Anderson and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cioran was well out of range. Poor timing from James.
James swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
James paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Nice jab there from James.

Cioran closes the distance and clinches.
Cioran struggles to land a body shot inside as James controls his hands.
A shot in the inside from Cioran.
James definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
A hook to the body from James.
Cioran doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
James goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cioran tries to throw a body punch but James avoids it by throwing Cioran back against the cage.
Cioran throws a head punch that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cioran blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right from Cioran on the inside.
James swings wildly with an uppercut but Cioran uses good head movement to avoid it.
James can't find room to land a body shot as Cioran controls the action.
Cioran lands with a right to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James can't find room to land a body shot as Cioran controls the action.
Cioran lands a right hand that snaps the head of James backwards.
James fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
James scores with a shoulder strike.
Cioran tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
James misses with a hook to the ribs.
James digs a right hand underneath Cioran's ribcage. Cioran let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Cioran working aggressively here.
James goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
James swings wildly with an uppercut but Cioran uses good head movement to avoid it.
James tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for James.
Cioran misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cioran.
Cioran lands a right hand.
James lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James misses with a shot to the kidneys.
James makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
James misses with a punch on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
James prevents a body shot from Cioran.
Cioran misses with a hook from the clinch.
Good body shot from Cioran.
James misses with a hook from the clinch.
James scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Cioran swings wildly with an uppercut but James uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cioran's coach down at RCJ Machado Jiu-Jitsu was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Cioran's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
James misses with a hook from the clinch.
James goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cioran misses with a punch to the body.
James misses with a hook from the clinch.
James struggles to land a body shot inside as Cioran controls his hands.
Cioran goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
James just leaning against Cioran, taking a breather.
James misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James misses with a hook to the ribs.
A right handed body shot lands from Cioran.
Cioran blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Cioran.
A short right from Cioran on the inside.
Cioran blocks an uppercut.
James lands a shot to the body.
Cioran stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Cioran tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
James goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
James throws a punch but it's blocked by Cioran.
Cioran scores with a shoulder strike.
Cioran throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Jamess head.
Cioran lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Cioran is pushing James up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Nice body punch from Cioran - that landed with a thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cioran misses with a short punch on the inside.
The referee calls for Cioran to work.
Cioran blocks an uppercut.
James takes a shot to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cioran tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
James struggles to land a body shot inside as Cioran controls his hands.
James prevents a body shot from Cioran.
Cioran misses with some punches.
Cioran lands a left hand.
Cioran pushes James back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
James scores with a shoulder strike.
James lands a right hand.
James blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cioran tried to land a shot to the body but connects with James's elbow.
Cioran swings away with an uppercut that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Emil Cioran will probably get the nod.
That's time! James's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cioran misses with a telegraphed body shot
and James counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
James throws a hook but Cioran blocks it.
James doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

James rushes Cioran and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Cioran pushes James back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
James blocks an uppercut.
Cioran works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Cioran pushes James back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Cioran doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cioran prevents a body shot from James.
James doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cioran stalling.
Cioran working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
James throws a punch but it's blocked by Cioran.
James tries a body shot but Cioran blocks it.
Emil Cioran seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Cioran softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
James is trying to push Cioran away but Cioran has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Cioran.
Cioran lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Cioran misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cioran lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
James throws a head punch that misses.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Cioran in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
James misses with the head strike.
Cioran misses with some punches.
Cioran misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cioran blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
James pressing his opponent against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Cioran.
James tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
James lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cioran backwards.
James swings away with an uppercut that misses.
James goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cioran throws a head punch that misses.
Cioran misses with a short punch on the inside.
James working aggressively here.
Cioran blocks an uppercut.
James swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Cioran blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cioran tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
James doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for James.
Cioran fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Cioran throws a head punch that misses.
Cioran tries to throw a body punch but James avoids it by throwing Cioran back against the cage.
James misses with a punch on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, James creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
James misses with a hook from the clinch.
James misses with a punch to the body.
Cioran misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cioran misses with a body punch.
James tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cioran blocks a body shot from James.
Cioran doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cioran tries to work over James's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
James working aggressively here.
James swings away with an uppercut that misses.
James misses with some punches.
James lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cioran backwards.
James misses with a punch to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, James creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Cioran goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for James.
James goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
James misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cioran blocking some punches.
Cioran fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from James.
James misses with some punches.
Nice body punch from Cioran - that landed with a thud.
Cioran tries to throw a body punch but James avoids it by throwing Cioran back against the cage.
Cioran lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Cioran throws a punch but it's blocked by James.
Cioran takes a shot to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
James misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for James.
James tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cioran's elbow.
Cioran struggles to land a body shot inside as James controls his hands.
Still in the clinch, Cioran scores with a nice short uppercut.
Cioran throws a head punch that misses.
James misses with a shot to the kidneys.
James misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cioran tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cioran lands a nice shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Joy James will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Cioran fakes high and swings low for a body shot but James manages to avoid it.
James throws a looping overhand right but Cioran ducks down to avoid it.
Cioran throws a predictable looking body shot
and James counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
James jabs at Cioran's body.
Cioran stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Cioran throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cioran scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. James doesn't seem bothered though.
Cioran ducks under a wild hook from James.
Cioran throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Cioran throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cioran misses with a jab to the body
and James counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Good shot there by James.
James works the jab nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cioran throws an overhand right that lands on James's shoulder, as James tries to avoid the shot.
James digs a good hook to Cioran's body.
James fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Cioran on the side of the head.
Cioran keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cioran wants to counter with a clinch but James pushes him away.
Joy James seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cioran.
Joy James is winning the standup battle so far.
Cioran misses with a wild body shot.
Cioran misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from James.
James throws a lazy right hand but Cioran sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
James lands with a cross.
James misses with a left hand

and Cioran counters by clinching up.
James is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
James tries to throw a body punch but Cioran avoids it by throwing James back against the cage.
Cioran misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James throws a punch but it's blocked by Cioran.
Cioran lands with a light punch inside.
Cioran prevents a body shot from James.
Cioran prevents a body shot from James.
Cioran swings wildly with an uppercut but James uses good head movement to avoid it.
James tries to break free but Cioran pushes him back against the cage.
Cioran struggles to land a body shot inside as James controls his hands.

James pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
James tries to clinch there but Cioran circles away.
James misses with a straight right.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cioran tries to close the distance and clinch up but James swats him away and circles back towards the center.
James is looking to counter the offense by Cioran and move into the clinch.
James uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cioran.
Cioran keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cioran steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from James.
James doesn't manage to clinch there - Cioran circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from James misses.
Cioran swings and misses with a shot to the body
and James cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Some wild striking there from James.
James misses with a wild body shot.
Cioran bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nice jab there from James.

James closes the distance and clinches.
James tries a body shot but Cioran blocks it.
A hook to the body from Cioran.
Cioran pushes James back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Cioran - that landed with a thud.
Cioran throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Jamess head.
Cioran blocks a body shot from James.
James misses with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Cioran.
Cioran takes a shot to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James wants to break the clinch but can't.
James tries to work over Cioran's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Cioran swings wildly with an uppercut but James uses good head movement to avoid it.
James misses with the head strike.
James is leaning against Cioran and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
James is trying to maintain a safe position but Cioran gets an underhook and turns James into the cage.
James misses with a punch on the inside.
Cioran misses with a punch to the body.
Cioran throws a head punch that misses.
Cioran misses with a short punch on the inside.
James fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Cioran tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cioran misses with a punch to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joy James showed his dominance in that final round.
I think James 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 Bart Greer scores the fight for Emil Cioran!
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight for Joy James!
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight for Joy James!

Joy James wins by split decision!
During a confident post fight interview, Joy James thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.