PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between James DeGale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jamal Powell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Powell's choice of entrance music: The Big Payback - James Brown. James DeGale could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Jamal Powell's chin.

DeGale
vs
Powell

198 cm
22
243 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

192 cm
22
275 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

MMA Hype Apparel
Héritage!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, James DeGale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jamal Powell!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Aafke Stam and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
DeGale will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Powell scores with a body shot.
DeGale scores with a jab to the head.
Powell's coach down at El Tico 's Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Powell's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
DeGale lands with a thumping leg kick.
DeGale looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
DeGale throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Powell tries to counter by closing the distance.
Powell walks into a straight right hand from DeGale.
A jab from Powell misses.
A jab from DeGale misses.
DeGale scores with a jab to the body.
Powell swings for the body but DeGale moves out of range.
Powell misses the shot to the body.
It looked like DeGale wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
DeGale swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Powell scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. DeGale doesn't seem bothered though.
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!

Powell forces DeGale back against the cage and clinches.
DeGale stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Powell blocking some punches.
DeGale putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Powell in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Powell.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Powell misses with a punch to the body.
Powell tries to throw a body punch but DeGale avoids it by throwing Powell back against the cage.
Powell swings away with an uppercut that misses.
DeGale is trying to push Powell away but Powell has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
DeGale lands a knee to the head.
A nice left hand lands by DeGale.
DeGale blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Powell misses with a punch to the body.
Powell swings away with an uppercut that misses.
DeGale blocking some punches.
DeGale lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Powell.

DeGale manages to break the clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from DeGale misses the target.
DeGale throws a looping overhand right but Powell ducks down to avoid it.
Powell looks to land a left hand but DeGale moved out of range nicely.
A lazy body kick from Powell
and DeGale counters with a stiff right hand.

DeGale drives through and clinches with Powell against the cage.
Powell goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeGale misses with a shot to the kidneys.
DeGale tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Powell avoids it.
DeGale tries to work over Powell's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Powell lands a nice uppercut.
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!
A short right hand to the side of the head by DeGale.
Powell misses with a hook to the ribs.
Powell doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
DeGale lands an uppercut.
DeGale tries to break free but Powell pushes him back against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from DeGale.

DeGale breaks from the clinch.
DeGale is stalking Powell. Powell circles to his left. Keeps circling left. Bam! Straight right from DeGale, and it's lights out! Powell really payed the price for that rookie mistake.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:40 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). James DeGale!
Our winner, James DeGale, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.