PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Malik Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roko Tiili (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tiili has chosen Antti Railio - Halla ja etelätuuli as his entrance music. Roko Tiili told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Jones
vs
Tiili

169 cm
35
142 lbs
18 - 10 - 0

168 cm
34
137 lbs
19 - 10 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Aspire Clothing

Helsinki Xtreme Fightwear

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 18 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Malik Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 1, fighting out of London, Roko Tiili!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tiili steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Jones. That one must have hurt.
Jones wants to clinch.
Tiili has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Nice sprawl there from Tiili as Jones shoots in.
The fighters circle momentarily. Tiili darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Jones circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jones half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Jones misses with a straight right.
Tiili misses the jab.
Jones misses with a leg kick.
Jones swats away the attempt to clinch by Tiili.
Tiili uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Jones.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones keeps the fight on the outside.
Jones tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Tiili manages to circle out of the way.
Jones scores with a punch to the head.
Jones throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tiili takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Tiili scores with a takedown into Jones's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tiili wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tiili stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Jones swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tiili is still trying to improve position.
Tiili with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Jones avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Jones has his hands on Tiili's head, controlling the position.
Jones tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tiili throws a big elbow that misses.
Jones working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tiili.
Tiili preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tiili throwing strikes but missing.
Jones managing to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tiili working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Tiili from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Jones tries to bum rush Tiili with a series of wild strikes but Tiili uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tiili slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Tiili walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Jones checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Jones throws a shot from downtown. Tiili moves away and avoids it.
Jones has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Tiili finds it's way round the side to connect with Jones's head.
Jones looks to throw the jab but Tiili is out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Tiili misses the target.
Nice body punch from Jones.
A slow jab from Jones misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones goes for a double leg but Tiili avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Tiili continues to drive forward.
Tiili tries a quick counter leg kick but Jones is wise to it.
Tiili looks to land a body kick but Jones moved away.
Jones scores with a nice strike.
Tiili uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jones.
Jones throws a hook but Tiili avoids it easily.

Tiili closes the distance and clinches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Jones.
Jones doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Jones prevents a body shot from Tiili.
Tiili doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tiili lands a hook that snaps the head of Jones backwards.
Jones throws a punch but it's blocked by Tiili.
Tiili blocks a body shot from Jones.
Tiili blocking some punches.
Jones looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Tiili can't find room to land a body shot as Jones controls the action.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tiili.
Jones prevents a body shot from Tiili.
Jones lands a hook that snaps the head of Tiili backwards.
Tiili struggles to land a body shot inside as Jones controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones throws a punch but it's blocked by Tiili.
Tiili goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Jones prevents a body shot from Tiili.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tiili misses with a punch to the body.
Tiili tries to land a knee to the head but Jones blocks with his arms.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tiili.
Tiili tries a body shot but Jones blocks it.
Jones throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tiilis head.
Jones pushes Tiili back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Tiili tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tiili tries to throw a body punch but Jones avoids it by throwing Tiili back against the cage.
Jones blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jones.
Jones lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tiili backwards.
Tiili makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Jones avoiding damage as Tiili throws knees to the body.
Jones misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jones tries a body shot but Tiili blocks it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Jones.
Tiili misses with a hook to the ribs.
Jones scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Tiili lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Malik Jones will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Jones throws a nice outside leg kick.
Tiili throws a low kick but Jones avoids it.
Tiili throws a shot from downtown. Jones moves away and avoids it.
Jones tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tiili slips a jab and a cross from Jones.
Malik Jones is winning the standup battle so far.
Tiili misses with an uppercut.
Jones throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tiili.
A looping hook to the body misses from Jones. Tiili does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tiili keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jones keeps the fight on the outside.
Tiili throws a leg kick which misses Jones's front leg but catches the back leg as Jones tries to avoid it.
Jones loads up on a big right hand but Tiili slips the punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones slips a jab from Tiili.
Tiili misses with a right hand
enabling Jones to counter with a crisp jab.
A jab from Jones misses.
Tiili moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Tiili swings away with a body shot that misses
and Jones counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones throws a nice outside leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Tiili misses the target.
Tiili showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Jones.
That kick from Tiili tenderised Jones's leg. Jones is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tiili misses the jab.
Tiili looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Jones getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Tiili cracks Jones with a good jab.
Tiili tries a low kick but Jones avoids it.
A big right from Jones misses.
Tiili ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jones moves away.
Tiili tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Jones is able to avoid easily.
No joy there for Jones, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tiili moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tiili keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tiili misses the jab.
Jones attempts a counter takedown but Tiili avoids it well and moves away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tiili throws a leg kick but Jones moved away.
Jones misses with a low kick.
Tiili tried to score with a low kick but Jones checks it.
Jones fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tiili looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Tiili tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Jones manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jones is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Tiili.
Jones with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Sloppy strikes from Jones. Those never looked like landing.
Tiili changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Jones shoots in but Tiili avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tiili.
Jones throws a body punch but Tiili moves out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tiili. That's going to slow Jones down.
Tiili displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Jones.
Tiili looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tiili can pounce on him.
Jones misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Tiili fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Jones sprawls well initially but Tiili persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Tiili is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Jones doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Tiili.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tiili is nestled in close to Jones, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Tiili not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Jones moves into full guard.
Tiili is looking to work some ground and pound but Jones has wrist control.
Tiili must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tiili.
Tiili throwing strikes from guard but Jones blocks nicely.
Tiili wants to pass the guard but Jones is keeping the position.
Tiili cracks Jones with a solid left hand.
Tiili trying to control but Jones is working from the bottom.
Tiili keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Jones's head.
Tiili stopping the sweep attempt from Jones.
Jones is adopting a defensive guard.
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 Malik Jones will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Tiili avoids the body shot from Jones.
Jones is looking to slow Tiili down with leg kicks.
Tiili shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jones throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Jones looks to score with a jab to the body but Tiili is just out of range.
Tiili misses with a two punch combination.
Jones throwing a counter right hand but Tiili manages to avoid it.
Jones throws a big shot that misses.
Tiili connects with a leg kick. Jones looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Jones fails to land with a series of punches.
Tiili throws out a counter right but Jones avoids it with no problem.
Tiili looks for the body kick but Jones saw that one coming.
Jones throws a left and a right that both miss
and Tiili counters with a thumping low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones lands a jab to the nose.
Tiili throws a half hearted mid kick.
Jones thumps Tiili with a low kick.
Tiili avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tiili misses with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones misses with a body shot.
A leg kick checked by Jones.
Jones throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tiili throws a lazy uppercut
and Jones counters with a solid body kick.
Tiili looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Jones tries to counter with a takedown but Tiili is quick to defend against it.
Tiili feints and then cracks Jones's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Jones down.
Tiili looks to throw a body kick

and Jones counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Tiili!
Jones taking a breather here.
Tiili is trying to control Jones's posture but Jones avoids it.
Tiili tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Jones are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Jones throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Jones working the body and head with strikes.
Jones throwing strikes but Tiili manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tiili working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Tiili scores with punches from side control.
Tiili landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiili lands some shots froms side control.
Tiili fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Jones avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Tiili.
Jones taking punishment in the form of punches.
Jones manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Roko Tiili has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Malik Jones is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Jones controlling the action here.
Jones thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tiili's head.
Jones is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Jones not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Tiili is refusing to be controlled, as Jones sits in half guard.
Jones throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Jones not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Tiili is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jones with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Malik Jones showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Jones, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Malik Jones!
In his post fight interview, Malik Jones started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.