PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Martyn Ford (ranked 2262 p4p, 294 weight class) and Jako Day (ranked 3878 p4p, 476 weight class). Jako Day will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Ford
vs
Day

175 cm
33
218 lbs
16 - 9 - 1

189 cm
31
206 lbs
12 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Pit Bull Development

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 16 - 9 - 1, fighting out of London, Martyn Ford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jako Day!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Joseph Jones and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Day throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ford shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Day defends it nicely.
Ford uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Day.
Day connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Ford takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Ford closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Day did well to prevent Ford getting side control.
Day is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We've been hearing good reports from Ford's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Well, if Ford is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Day is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ford seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Day does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Day tries to get to full guard but Ford has control of the leg.
Day has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Ford is trying to control. Day wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Day is trying to stand back up but Ford is controlling him
Ford with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Ford wants to pass the guard but Day is defending well.
Ford is taking a breather. Day says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Ford wants to pass to mount but Day is defending the position.
Day is trying to stand up here but Ford is controlling him well.
Day is looking to control Ford's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Day avoid being mounted?
Ford trying to pass the guard but Day defending well.
Day is looking for a sweep. Ford is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ford stops Day from getting back to his feet.
Day wants to get back to full guard.
Ford trying to pass the guard but Day defending well.

Ford looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

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.
Day is trying to stand back up but Ford is controlling him
Ford is trying to control the action in half guard but Day is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Day tries to roll over but Ford keeps him under control.
Ford wants to pass to mount but Day is defending the position.
Day looks like he's trying to stand up.
Ford is trying to control the action in half guard but Day is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Ford is trying to work for a kimura but Day is defending well.
Day is looking to improve his position.
Day is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ford's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ford's back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Day trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

Day has decided that he can't make progress quickly enough from the back position and has rather unusually decided to stand up from the dominant position. Obviously he's going to be looking for the knockout on the feet here!
Jako Day is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Day throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ford changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Ford shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Day counters with a straight right hand.
Ford misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martyn Ford. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Day slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Ford changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Day looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Day tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ford wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Day gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Ford wants to take Day's back but he can't do it this time.
Ford looking to control but Day is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Day is looking to improve his position but Ford isn't that keen on the idea.
Day wants to hold on but Ford pushes him away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ford fails to advance to Day's back.
Ford is working hard here to advance position.

Ford jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Day manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Day tries to bench press Ford off him but Ford keeps the position.
Day is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Ford is trying to get an arm triangle but Day is defending well.
Day is not content to let Ford control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jako Day will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Ford doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ford takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Martyn Ford seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ford looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ford shoots and misses
and Day counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martyn Ford. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ford with a lazy takedown attempt
and Day counters with a nice uppercut.
Day scores with a sloppy right hand. Ford should have avoided that one.
Ford shoots and misses
and Day counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Day throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Day defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ford.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Day! But no joy.
Ford dives in for a single leg takedown but Day sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A little jabbing left from Day on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Day rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ford moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ford shoots in looking for a takedown. Day tries to sprawl out of it but Ford keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Day manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Day swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Day's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ford under the eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Day.
Jako Day seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Day fails to land with a series of punches.
Day throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ford.
Day has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ford with a lazy takedown attempt
and Day counters with a straight right hand.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ford.
Day throws a counter combo.
Ford shoots in for a double leg but Day sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Day throws a one two combo.

Ford looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Day!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Day is looking to reverse the position.
Day is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Ford asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Ford thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
You can see the frustration on Day's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Ford is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Day knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Day is looking to reverse the position.
Ford has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Day!
Day squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Day regains half guard.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Day looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ford is pressing down on Day's thigh, looking to free his foot. Day is holding on for now.
Martyn Ford overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Day wants to control but Ford is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Ford is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Day has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ford wants to take a breather but Day is having none of it.
Ford is pressing down on Day's thigh, looking to free his foot. Day is holding on for now.
Ford wants to lay and pray for a moment but Day keeps working.
Day is looking to escape.
Ford tries to pass the half guard into mount. Day knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Day has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Ford is on him like a limpet, forcing Day back against the cage.

Ford pulls Day into guard.

Ford escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Day gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Day decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Ford, up you get!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ford misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A nice side step and Day releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Day lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Ford backs up against the cage.
Ford with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Day to score with a decent uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice takedown defense from Day. No joy for Ford on that attempt.
Day throws out a counter right but Ford avoids it with no problem.
Day connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Ford's hands.
Ford goes for a double leg but Day avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Day continues to drive forward.
Day rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ford moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ford doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Day counters with a straight right hand.
Ford fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jako Day showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Ford shoots and misses
and Day counters with a left and a right that stings Ford.
Day misses with a two punch combination.
Day throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ford tries to score a power double leg takedown but Day sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ford somewhat.
Ford shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martyn Ford. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ford shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Day counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ford thinking.
Day has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Day stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Day wants it to stay on the feet.
Day is looking for the big counter here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Day throws a series of punches but Ford avoids them all with ease.
Ford walks into a stiff left hand from Day.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ford.
Martyn Ford is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Day scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Day lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Day leaves Ford with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Day. No joy for Ford on that attempt.
Day lands a two punch combo.
Ford fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Day looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Day moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Ford shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Day counter with a right hand.
Day misses with the combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Day.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ford or perhaps it was just good defense by Day, which made it look bad.
Day now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Day throws a solid leg kick but Ford takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Day.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Day looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ford looks for a takedown but Day sprawls well.
Ford fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Day avoids it really well and circles away.
Day is looking for the big counter here.
Ford with a poor takedown
and Day counters with a left to the body.
Day connects with a single shot there.
Day stuffs the takedown.
Day now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ford doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Day counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ford is trying hard to land a takedown here. Day sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Ford scores with a takedown into Day's guard.
Day is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Ford wants to control but Day is keeping busy.
Ford wants to improve his position but Day is controlling well.

Day stands up and beckons Ford to join him on the feet.
Day stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Ford ducks right into an uppercut from Day.
Ford looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ford dives in and grabs Day's left leg, looking for a takedown. Day pushes down on Ford's head and hops out.
Some wild striking there from Day.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ford shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Day defends it nicely.
Day throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ford.
Day scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Ford has his takedown stuffed
enabling Day to counter with a crisp jab.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ford.
Martyn Ford has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jako Day is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Day scores with a jab. Ford acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jako Day comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Day winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 26:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 26:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jako Day!
A relieved looking Jako Day thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.