PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mike Hunt (ranked 3821 p4p, 5955 weight class) and Reginald James (ranked 362 p4p, 464 weight class). Reginald James is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Hunt
vs
James

163 cm
26
142
1 - 1 - 0

167 cm
25
135
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Hates pizza

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Bondi MMA

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mike Hunt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Reginald James!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, John Kavanagh and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from James as Hunt shoots in.
Hunt jabs at James's body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hunt looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
James lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
James loads up on a big right hand but Hunt slips the punch.

James is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Hunt's half guard.
James looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

James postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Hunt to stand up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

James clinches with his opponent.
James lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
James on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
James stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Hunt is trying to work for a single leg takedown but James pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt drops down looking for an ankle pick but James pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Hunt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hunt has his takedown stuffed

and James counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by James.

James has clasped his hands together around Hunt's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Hunt wants to control but James postures up.
James is chipping away with strikes.
Hunt manages to work his way to half guard, despite James's best efforts.

Hunt is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but James pulls his head out easily.
James scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

James is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hunt is just riding it out for now. James eventually gives up the hold.
Hunt is refusing to be controlled, as James sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James is stalling here. Hunt is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! James seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Hunt has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Hunt wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by James, who protects the arm well.
Hunt just content to control the position.
James regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt wants to lay and pray for a moment but James keeps working.
James is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hunt is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
James is trying to stand back up but Hunt is controlling him

Hunt is trying to work for a kimura but James is defending well.
James is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

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.
Hunt is trying to control. James wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Hunt seems to be looking for submissions.
James avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hunt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
James is trying to stand back up but Hunt is controlling him
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Hunt missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hunt tries to clinch but James moves out of range.
James tries to counter by closing the distance.
Hunt fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hunt shoots in for a takedown but James shows good takedown defense.

James drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
James controlling the position from side mount.
Hunt wants to control but James postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hunt is looking for a sweep.
Hunt taking punishment in the form of punches.

James decides to stand up, so the ref orders Hunt to his feet.

James rushes Hunt and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James breaks from the clinch.
Hunt looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Hunt shoots in looking for a takedown but James manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hunt's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Hunt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
James fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Hunt has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
James defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hunt.
James throws a counter combo.
Hunt darts in looking for a takedown but James gets double underhooks and turns Hunt into the cage.
Hunt takes an elbow to the temple.
James gets underhooks to prevent Hunt's takedown attempt.

James lands a takedown into guard.

Hunt escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. James gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
James content to stall in guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

James decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hunt, up you get!
Hunt with a poor takedown

and James holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

James tightens his grip and picks Hunt up, before dumping him to the ground. Hunt manages to land in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
James postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
James scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
James tries to stand but Hunt is controlling from the bottom.

Hunt is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

James gets to his feet - Hunt follows without any prompting.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hunt gets caught napping as James dives in and scores a takedown. Hunt manages to retain guard.
James lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Hunt looking for subs off his back but James has passed one foot through into half guard.
James controlling the pace.
Hunt wants to control but James is keeping busy.
Hunt is not content to let James control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hunt looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hunt is staying active underneath James, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hunt trying to control but James postures up.
James throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hunt wants to improve his position but James is controlling well.
James has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

James escapes and gets back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Reginald James showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

James stuffs the takedown attempt from Hunt. Hunt gets slowly back to his feet.
Hunt fails with the takedown
and James counters with a stiff right hand.

James gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
James keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hunt's efforts to push away.
James stops a takedown attempt from Hunt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Hunt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
James pressing his opponent against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hunt is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

James drags the fight down to the ground.

James has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hunt can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt won't allow James to get back to his feet.
Hunt passes James's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Hunt 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.
Reginald James has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hunt prevents James from improving his position.
Hunt is trying to control the action in half guard but James is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James is trying to stand up here but Hunt is controlling him well.

James manages to escape and get back to his feet!

James gets a double leg takedown into Hunt's guard.
Mike Hunt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James stays in close to Hunt's body and controls the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hunt is on top in guard.

James looking for a sweep. Not yet James, not yet.
Hunt wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.
Hunt advances to half guard.
James is refusing to be controlled, as Hunt sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for James!
James is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Hunt throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Hunt looking to control and managing it successfully.
Hunt wants to stand but James is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
Hunt with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunt trying to control but he's not successful this time.
James can't escape the position.

Hunt jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… James is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by James and Hunt has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Hunt is trying to get an arm triangle but James is defending well.
Reginald James is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
James tries to bench press Hunt off him but Hunt keeps the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Reginald James.
Well James 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Reginald James!