PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Orval James (ranked 7166 p4p, 0 weight class) and Big Baller (ranked 3771 p4p, 0 weight class). Orval James has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

James
vs
Baller

205 cm
24
178 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Orval James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Big Baller!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James dives in and grabs Baller's left leg, looking for a takedown. Baller pushes down on James's head and hops out.

Baller feints and as James raises his hands in defense, Baller changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
James working a defensive guard here.
Baller showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Baller throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baller stopping the sweep attempt from James.
Baller engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
James really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Baller trying to control the position from guard on top but James is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baller is looking to stand up but James won't let him.
James not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Baller stuffs the takedown.
James fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Orval James. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Baller fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging James to the ground. Baller is now in James's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baller trying to control the position from guard on top but James is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
James looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
James is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Baller trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but James manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James trying to stand up but can't free himself from Baller's guard.
Baller trying to control the position.
Baller pulls James in close to his closed guard and prevents James from doing any damage or advancing position.
James will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
James not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Baller looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
James slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baller looking for a sweep. Not yet Baller, not yet.

That's four 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.
James's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Baller wants to get back to his feet but James is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
James is looking to clinch.
Baller is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Baller feints and then cracks James's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow James down.

Baller closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. James did well to prevent Baller getting side control.
James controlling the position for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
James is refusing to be controlled, as Baller sits in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Big Baller dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

James gets caught napping as Baller dives in and scores a takedown. James manages to retain guard.
James keeping moving, preventing Baller from controlling successfully.
Baller wants to pass the guard but James is keeping the position.
Baller passes James's left leg - he's now in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Baller seems to be working for a kimura but James defends the submission attempt.
James tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James is trying to stand back up but Baller is controlling him
James throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
James taking some punishment here, with Baller in his half guard.
James is looking for a sweep. Baller is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Baller throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
James missing with punches from the bottom.
James is looking to improve his position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two 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.

Baller shoots in and gets a takedown into James's guard.
James trying to control the position.
Baller tries to stand but James is controlling from the bottom.
James utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Baller drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but James manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Baller has James in his guard.

Baller tries to strike from the bottom.
Big Baller has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James won't allow Baller to get back to his feet.
James trying to stand up but can't free himself from Baller's guard.
James sitting in guard, not really doing much.

James decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Baller connects with a leg kick. James looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

James gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Baller is breathing heavily.
Baller in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
James looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Baller puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
It looks like Baller is going to stand back up.
James punching from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
James controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Big Baller showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

James looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Baller shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. James manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Baller has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of James is proving hard to escape from.
Baller trying to control but James is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Baller gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baller bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Baller wants to control but James is keeping him busy.

Baller working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
James can't do much from the bottom here.
James is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.

Baller goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, James has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Baller but great work by James.
Baller has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
James taking a breather here.
Baller tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Baller takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
James is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Baller will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baller tries to buck James off but James is having none of it.
James controls the position from side control.
James lands a few punches from side control.
James controlling from side mount.
James prevents Baller from escaping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Baller tries to buck James off but James is having none of it.
Baller on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
James controlling from side mount.
Big Baller is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Baller changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. James looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Orval James.
Well Baller has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Big Baller!