PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Elmore James (ranked 901 p4p, 111 weight class) and Barnabas Ungar (ranked 1823 p4p, 220 weight class). James's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aMfD2O9Gds. Barnabas Ungar 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!

James
vs
Ungar

172 cm
27
167 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

170 cm
28
160 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Elmore James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Barnabas Ungar!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Sam Margolis and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ungar misses with a few strikes there.
Ungar scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
James gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Ungar dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A jab from James misses.
Ungar punishes James's body with a nice straight punch.
Ungar tried to score with a low kick but James checks it.
Ungar stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
James has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Devil Dogs in the buildup to the fight.
James tests Ungar's chin there with a solid looking shot.
James will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A looping hook to the body misses from James. Ungar does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ungar ducks down and throws a hook to the body but James moves away.
Ungar throws a body punch but James moves out of range.
Ungar feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to James's calf.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ungar defending well as James loads up on a big left hand.
James tries to move into range but Ungar moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
James throws a good cross that connects.
A lazy left from James finds it's target.
Ungar throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James misses with a low kick.
James misses with a hook. Ungar ducked under it nicely.
Ungar swings and misses with a shot to the body
and James counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ungar bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of James's head.
Ungar throws a shot to the body.
Ungar does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
James punishes Ungar's body with a nice straight punch.
Ungar cracks James with a good jab.
Ungar scores with a nice head shot.
Ungar stuns James with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nice takedown defense from James. No joy for Ungar on that attempt.
Ungar blocks a jab.
A little jabbing left from Ungar on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ungar throws a quick inside leg kick.
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!
Ungar swinging wildly here.
James takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Ungar rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and James counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ungar has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
A slow jab from James misses its intended target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Ungar closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ungar blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ungar lands on the inside with an uppercut.
James lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ungar tries to pull guard but James forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
James lands a shoulder strike.
James blocking some punches.
Ungar gets through James's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ungar lands an uppercut.
James fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ungar jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as James walks away with a smile on his face. Ungar gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Elmore James has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Barnabas Ungar.

Ungar gets a clinch.
Ungar lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of James backwards.
James blocking some punches.
Ungar swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ungar blocks an uppercut.
James blocks an uppercut.
A knee to the head by James.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ungar throws a head punch that misses.
Ungar lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ungar lands with a short head shot on the inside.
James throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ungars head.
Ungar is leaning against James and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Ungar blocking some punches.
A short uppercut from James.
James lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ungar.
A head punch blocked on the inside by James.
James lands with a short head shot on the inside.
James lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ungar misses with a hook from the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by James.
James tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
James lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ungar backwards.
James lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Ungar fails to land.
Ungar tries to pull guard but James holds him up against the cage and eventually Ungar drops back down to his feet.
James misses with some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James lands with a short punch from the clinch.
James misses with some punches.
Ungar misses with a short punch on the inside.
James tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

James manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Ungar controlling from the top position.
Ungar trying to control but James is working from the bottom.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ungar thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ungar's corner is telling him to maintain position.

James looking for subs off his back but Ungar has passed one foot through into half guard.
Ungar seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but James does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Barnabas Ungar will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ungar connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed James momentarily.
Ungar dodges the punch combination from James.
Ungar tries a quick counter leg kick but James is wise to it.
Ungar connects with a solid leg kick.

Ungar closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
James working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Ungar misses with a body punch.
Ungar lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Ungar jumps into guard, dragging James to the mat.
James stopping the sweep attempt from Ungar.
James pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ungar is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ungar working a defensive guard here.
James is looking to advance position but Ungar has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Ungar can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as James is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James is trying desperately to improve position.
Ungar moves to the back.
Ungar gets his hands free as James looks to control.

Ungar tightening his grip on James, looking for the choke.
Ungar has the hooks in. James is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
James is working hard here to advance position.

Ungar tightening his grip on James, looking for the choke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James is in bad spot here.
James looking very determined here, making life difficult for Ungar.

Ungar is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. James knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften James for a finish.
James staying busy and making it hard for Ungar to control.
James tries to escape the position.
James surviving as best he can, preventing damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
James trying to control but not successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ungar is riding his opponent, not letting James buck him off.
James wants to escape the position.
James staying busy and making it hard for Ungar to control.
James tries to escape the position.
James trying to control the hands but Ungar won't let him.

Ungar has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, James has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
James wants to escape the position.
James trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ungar controls the position.
Let's hope that Ungar has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
James is keeping busy.
James trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Ungar keeps control of the position as James tries to break free.
Barnabas Ungar has got the better of the ground game so far.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ungar is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Ungar is persistently looking for the submission but James is defending it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Barnabas Ungar 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!

The fighters circle momentarily. James darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Ungar defending well as James loads up on a big left hand.
James takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
James misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
James lunges at Ungar with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Ungar's hand.
James takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
James takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
James shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ungar sprawls well. Ungar wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. James gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James misses with a hook. Ungar ducked under it nicely.
James pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
James misses with a body shot.
Barnabas Ungar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ungar throws a leg kick but James sees it coming and moves out of range.
A cross from James lands.
James lands a nice hook to Ungar's body. Ungar takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Ungar. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ungar.
James takes one on the chin but seems OK.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ungar looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
James buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A jab from Ungar finds it's way through James's defenses.
A leg kick checked by James.
James lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ungar circles away quickly and effectively.
Ungar fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and James has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ungar steps to the side to avoid the strikes from James.
Ungar keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from James.
James misses the jab.
Ungar misses with a double jab.
Ungar slips a jab from James.
A little jabbing left from Ungar on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ungar has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ungar fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt James.
James waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ungar.
Ungar gets cracked with a nice right hand there by James.
Elmore James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ungar lands a nice leg kick that just misses James's sensitive parts.
A lazy left from James finds it's target.
Ungar cracks James with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Ungar throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ungar throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Ungar throws a leg kick which misses James's front leg but catches the back leg as James tries to avoid it.
Ungar throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Ungar sizes up James with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
James misses with a hook. Ungar ducked under it nicely.
Ungar feints a counter leg kick.
Ungar scores with a jab to the body.
James walks into a left hand.
James keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Ungar connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
James throws out a loose jab but Ungar uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ungar takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
James looks to land a right hand but Ungar moved out of range.
Ungar is looking to land body kicks.
It looked like James was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by James. Beautiful body shot.
James lands a jab.
James throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
James takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
That kick from Ungar tenderised James's leg. James is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ungar dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on James. That did some damage!
Ungar digs a good body shot into James's ribs.
Ungar turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ungar.
James shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ungar sprawls well. Ungar wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. James gets slowly back to his feet.
James wants to slow Ungar down by chopping away at his legs.
Ungar lunges at James with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by James's hand.
Ungar misses with a looping right.
James stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ungar.

That's four 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!
That kick from Ungar tenderised James's leg. James is trying to keep his angry face on.
James is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Ungar lands a nice looking body kick.
Ungar fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but James is out of range.
Ungar chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ungar scores with a nice body kick.
Ungar chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ungar keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ungar lands a leg kick that knocks James off balance momentarily.
James looks to land a left hand but Ungar moved out of range nicely.
James misses with a hook. Ungar ducked under it nicely.
Ungar looks to land a left hand but James moved out of range nicely.
A little feinted left hand from James on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
James defending well as Ungar loads up on a big left hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
James swings for the body but Ungar moves out of range.
Ungar feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Jamess jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ungar connects with a single shot there.
Barnabas Ungar is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
James sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Barnabas Ungar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ungar 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Barnabas Ungar!