PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tai Ju (ranked 5300 p4p, 5741 weight class) and Josiah Hunter (ranked 377 p4p, 390 weight class). Josiah Hunter has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ju
vs
Hunter

170 cm
22
145
2 - 1 - 0

170 cm
19
150
0 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tai Ju!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Josiah Hunter!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Micheangelo Fripello and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ju shoots in for a double leg but Hunter sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Ju shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Ju was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Hunter 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.
Hunter is looking for a sweep.
Hunter manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Hunter is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hunter keeps trying to improve his position.
Hunter is still trying to improve position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunter gets full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hunter trying to control the position.
Hunter pulls Ju in close to prevent any damage.

Ju got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hunter has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ju has managed to get both his arms back between Hunter's legs - danger averted.
Ju would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two 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.
Hunter lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hunter is in close to Ju's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ju wants to improve his position but instead Hunter has moved into half guard.
Hunter not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ju trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Hunter is thwarting Ju's attempts to control the position.
Ju blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hunter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ju keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hunter landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Nice strikes from Hunter there.
Ju tries to roll over but Hunter keeps him under control.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Hunter connects with a nice short shot to Ju's temple.
Ju keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ju is staying active underneath Hunter, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hunter wants to pass to mount but Ju is defending the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hunter is looking for a kimura but Ju is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hunter to get the leverage.
Hunter scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ju trying to hold on to Hunter's head to control him but Hunter postures up.
Hunter working over Ju with some ground and pound. Ju looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Hunter lands a nice short elbow.
Hunter looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Hunter lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nice strikes from Hunter there.
Hunter trying to control the action but Ju is working from the bottom.
Still in half guard, Hunter seems content to control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Josiah Hunter dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hunter shoots in and drives through. Ju sprawls well.
Ju drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hunter sprawls and moves away.
Hunter has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ju throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ju goes for a double leg but Hunter avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hunter continues to drive forward.
Hunter tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Hunter tries to land knees in the clinch but Ju avoids the damage to the body.
Hunter tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ju avoids it.
Hunter tries to stall but Ju uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hunter is pushing Ju up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Hunter prevents a takedown attempt there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hunter taking a breather.
Ju lands a nice shot to the body.
Hunter throws a knee to the head but misses.

Ju gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Hunter is pressing down on Ju's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunter is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Hunter has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hunter blocks the strikes from Ju.
Ju has hold of Hunter's hands but Hunter slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Still in half guard, Hunter seems content to control.
Ju is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hunter trying to control from half guard but Ju is working away.
Ju avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hunter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunter passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Ju!
Hunter pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Hunter looking to control and managing it successfully.
Hunter is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Ju can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Hunter landing strikes from the mount.
Hunter raining down hammerfists from mount.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ju is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Hunter scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunter raining down shots from the mount!
Hunter pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Hunter trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Hunter looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Hunter scores with a couple of good head shots there.

Ju is rocked!
Hunter working Ju over with strikes here.
Oh Ju is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hunter lands a nice shot to the head.
Hunter tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Hunter landing strikes from the mount.
A big strike lands for Hunter! That's really hurt Ju and he's turned his back - Hunter keeps firing away and the ref dives in to stop the fight! Hunter jumps to his feet to celebrate the victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Josiah Hunter!