PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Andy Miranda (ranked 22808 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Connor (ranked 4776 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Miranda
vs
Connor

204 cm
18
177 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

180 cm
25
182 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
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 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Andy Miranda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, James Connor!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Chris Saunders and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Miranda misses with a takedown

and Connor counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Connor.
Connor taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Miranda fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Miranda is trying to pull guard but Connor turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andy Miranda. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Connor lands a takedown into guard.
Miranda wants to get back to his feet but Connor passes into half guard.

Connor wants to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Connor wants to lay and pray for a moment but Miranda keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Connor seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Miranda trying to hold on to Connor's head to control him but Connor postures up.
Miranda is not content to let Connor control the position.
Miranda is positioning himself well to prevent Connor advancing to mount.
Connor trying to control from half guard but Miranda is working away.
Miranda won't allow Connor to pass to mount.
Miranda punching from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Connor sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Miranda tries to roll over but Connor keeps him under control.
Miranda wants to get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nice shot by Connor.

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

Miranda has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Connor is on him like a limpet, forcing Miranda back against the cage.
Miranda really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Connor is trying to trip Miranda. He has hold of a leg but Miranda is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Connor persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Miranda not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Connor is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Connor landing some decent shots from guard.
Miranda will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Connor trying to control but Miranda is working from the bottom.
Connor is looking to stand up but Miranda won't let him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Connor throwing strikes but missing.
Connor trying to control but Miranda is working from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Connor is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four 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.
Miranda takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Connor misses with a double jab
and Miranda counters with a straight right hand.

Connor shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Miranda's guard.

Miranda is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Connor is aware though and is defending well.
Connor trying to control the position from guard on top but Miranda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Miranda manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Connor manages to get himself to full guard.

Connor is trying to control the position but Miranda postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but James Connor will probably get the nod.
That's time! Miranda's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Connor scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Well, if Connor 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.
James Connor has got the better of the ground game so far.

Connor is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Miranda has managed to free his arm - good work.
Connor is controlling the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Connor wants to control but Miranda is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miranda is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Connor's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Connor's back!
Connor is trying to get back to his feet but Miranda has full control of the position and if anything, Connor has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Miranda controlling well, preventing Connor from escaping the position.

Miranda working for a choke but Connor is defending well.
Miranda avoiding Connor 's attempts to control his hands.

Miranda is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Connor has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Connor defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Connor is trying to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Connor can't escape the position.
Connor is trying to stand back up.
Connor really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Miranda. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Miranda has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Connor.

Miranda has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Connor trying to control but not successfully.

Miranda looking for the choke from the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Connor is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Connor is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Miranda gets his way!
Connor tries to break free.
Connor is trying to get back to his feet but Miranda has full control of the position and if anything, Connor has just worked his way into a worse spot.
I really don't envy Connor right now.
Miranda is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Connor can do to turn this around?

Connor showing good submission defense here.

Miranda has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Connor! Can he survive? No! He's out! Miranda gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Andy Miranda!