PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Barcode Liang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Liang
vs
Jones

180 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Barcode Liang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Thomas Jones!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Santiago Holmes and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Liang closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jones circles away.
Liang shoots in but Jones avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A left and a right from Liang both land. Nice combination.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Jones.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Liang gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Liang is positioning himself well to prevent Jones advancing to mount.
Jones throwing shots but Liang is blocking nicely.
Jones trying to control the action but Liang is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liang manages to get to full guard.

Liang looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Jones content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Jones drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Jones jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

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.

Liang has his foot on Jones's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Jones works his way back into a safe position though.
Jones chips away with some ground and pound.
Liang pulls Jones in to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Liang looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Jones passes into side control.

Jones decides to stand back up. Jones steps back and let's Liang get back to his feet.
Jones with a poor takedown
and Liang counters with a straight right hand.
A combination from Jones does no damage.

Jones pushes Liang up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Liang is keeping busy.
Jones is trying to break the clinch but Liang is controlling him.
Liang wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Jones has him pressed against the cage.
Jones is looking to break free of the clinch but Liang has double underhooks.
Liang has Jones pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Jones manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Barcode Liang. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jones is looking to take this one to the mat.
A frustrated look appears on Jones's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Liang working hard to break the clinch.
Jones's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Liang successfully pulls guard.
Jones slips nicely into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liang avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Jones.
Liang is looking for a sweep. Jones is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Jones wants to pass the guard but Liang is defending well.
Jones thows a huge punch but Liang dodges it nicely.
Liang moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Liang pulls Jones in close to prevent any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Liang tries to land a sweep but no joy.
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 Barcode Liang 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 an overhand right that lands on Liang's shoulder, as Liang tries to avoid the shot.
Liang shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Jones as he jumps to the side.

Liang gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Jones to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Liang scrambles and gets back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Jones tries to clinch up.

Jones clinches up with Liang and pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liang tries to pull guard but Jones holds him up against the cage and eventually Liang drops back down to his feet.
Liang will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Jones up against the cage.
Liang drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Barcode Liang. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jones goes for a takedown in the clinch but Liang prevents it.
Jones with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Liang misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Jones.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Jones's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Liang throws a wild body kick that Jones sees coming a mile off.
Jones looking to land some kicks to the body here.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Jones drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Liang tries to land knees in the clinch but Jones avoids the damage to the body.

Liang ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Liang no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Jones throwing strikes but missing.
Liang keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones with a flurry of punches that miss.
Liang keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.
Liang manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Jones manages to get himself to full guard.

Liang engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Liang stands up from Jones's guard - Liang perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Jones throws a leg kick but Liang moved away.
Jones tries to close the distance and clinch up but Liang swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Liang closes the distance and clinches.

Liang drags the fight down to the ground.

Jones gets to his feet - Liang follows without any prompting.
Liang slips a jab and a cross from Jones.

Liang forces Jones back against the cage and clinches.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Liang wants to take the fight to the mat but Jones manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Liang has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Jones after a bit of a struggle.
Liang drops down looking for an ankle pick but Jones pulls his leg out and moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Barcode Liang dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Liang shoots in for a double leg but Jones sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Liang tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Jones swivels and escapes.
Liang goes for a double leg but Jones avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Jones continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Barcode Liang. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jones throws a hook to the side of Liang's head but Liang sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Barcode Liang is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice takedown defense from Liang. No joy for Jones on that attempt.
Liang is trying hard to land a takedown here. Jones sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck for Liang with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice takedown defense from Liang. No joy for Jones on that attempt.
Jones circles away from the clinch attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Liang lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice sprawl there from Liang as Jones shoots in.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones stuffs the takedown.
Jones fails with a takedown attempt.
A slapping leg kick lands for Jones.
Jones throws a head kick but Liang moves out of range.

Liang pushes Jones up against the cage in a clinch.
Liang leaning his opponent against the cage.

Jones escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jones rushes Liang and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Liang is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Jones is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Jones is looking to take this one to the mat.
Liang has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Jones is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Liang is looking to break free of the clinch but Jones has double underhooks.
Liang tries for a takedown but Jones manages to get underhooks.
Liang displaying some good clinch control by pressing Jones up against the cage.
Liang tries to pull guard but Jones forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jones breaks the clinch.

Jones gets tackled into the cage by Liang. Liang maintains the clinch.
Liang keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Jones's efforts to push away.
Barcode Liang has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Jones has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Liang uses from the top position.
Liang slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Jones is working an open guard so Liang takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liang looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Liang tries to clinch up.
Jones misses with a double jab.
Liang is looking for a counter combo.
Liang shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Jones pinned against the cage. Jones gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Jones misses with a hook.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jones changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Liang tries to avoid it but Jones manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Liang to the ground. Liang escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Thomas Jones has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jones avoids the head kick by Liang.
Barcode Liang is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Jones lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Liang circles away quickly and effectively.
As Jones looks to move away, Liang throws a big counter combo but Jones just gets out of the way.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Jones comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Liang 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:29
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Barcode Liang!