PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jamal Bucharest (ranked 4089 p4p, 4953 weight class) and Bernard De La Tour (ranked 0 p4p, 307 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bucharest
vs
De La Tour

182 cm
23
153
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
150
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

Dangerous GnP
Dangerous knees
Heavy handed

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jamal Bucharest!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bernard De La Tour!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Sosuke Kotani and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bucharest moves into the clinch.
Knees to the body from Bucharest.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Bucharest has clasped his hands together around De La Tour's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Bucharest remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Bucharest knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for De La Tour on the ground.
Bucharest tries to advance to mount but De La Tour denies him.

Bucharest tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Bucharest has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bucharest has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

De La Tour closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bucharest lands an elbow inside.
Bucharest unloads a knee to the mid-section. De La Tour lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Bucharest works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Bucharest trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
De La Tour will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
De La Tour is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Bucharest stops De La Tour from standing up.
Bucharest sitting in guard here, content to control.
De La Tour throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
De La Tour throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
De La Tour throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

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

Bucharest closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into De La Tour's guard.
Bucharest is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bucharest stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Bucharest throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bucharest scores with a head kick.
De La Tour throws a right and a left that both miss.
De La Tour fails with the takedown.
De La Tour tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bucharest swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bucharest changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. De La Tour tries to avoid it but Bucharest manages to keep hold of a leg and drag De La Tour to the ground. De La Tour escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
De La Tour fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Bucharest. No joy for De La Tour on that attempt.
Jamal Bucharest has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bernard De La Tour.
De La Tour shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Bucharest eats them both and turns towards De La Tour to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
De La Tour lands with a right hand.
Danga de danga de dang - De La Tour scores with a four punch combination!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bucharest drives through and clinches with De La Tour against the cage.
Bucharest fails to pull guard.
Bucharest jumps guard but De La Tour stands there with Bucharest around his waist. Bucharest gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
De La Tour tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Bucharest smiles and moves away.
De La Tour getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
De La Tour moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
De La Tour shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bucharest pinned against the cage. Bucharest gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De La Tour displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Bucharest fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but De La Tour avoids it really well and circles away.
Bucharest avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
De La Tour tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Bucharest counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
De La Tour tries to roll over but Bucharest keeps him under control.
De La Tour wants to get back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jamal Bucharest will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

De La Tour stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and De La Tour wants it to stay on the feet.
De La Tour throws a series of strikes that have Bucharest backpedaling.

Bucharest gets in close and instigates a clinch.
De La Tour wants to get back to striking at distance but Bucharest won't allow it.
Bucharest lands a hook to the side of the head.

Bucharest jumps guard and drags De La Tour to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Bucharest has his hands on De La Tour's head, controlling the position.
De La Tour throws a big elbow that misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bucharest pulls De La Tour in close to prevent any damage.
Bucharest 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De La Tour works over Bucharest with some ground and pound from guard.

De La Tour stands up from Bucharest's guard - De La Tour perhaps looking for a knockout.
De La Tour throws a series of punches but Bucharest avoids them all with ease.
De La Tour connects with a crisp jab.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from De La Tour is defended easily by Bucharest.
Bucharest went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
De La Tour tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bucharest sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten De La Tour somewhat.
Bernard De La Tour seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bucharest looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from De La Tour.
Jamal Bucharest has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bernard De La Tour.
De La Tour throws a combination. Bucharest tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
De La Tour throws a right hand that Bucharest ducks under and follows up with a left that Bucharest also avoids with ease.
Bucharest is looking to counter the offense by De La Tour and move into the clinch.

Bucharest clinches up against the cage.
Bucharest blocking some punches.
De La Tour tries to throw a body punch but Bucharest avoids it by throwing De La Tour back against the cage.
Bucharest is looking to take this one to the mat.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De La Tour wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bucharest has him pressed against the cage.

Bucharest's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
De La Tour pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Bucharest back to the cage. De La Tour follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
De La Tour displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
De La Tour lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by De La Tour.
Bucharest dodges the punch combination from De La Tour.
Bucharest is looking for a counter combo.

Bucharest moves into the clinch successfully.
De La Tour working hard to break the clinch.

Bucharest pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Bucharest enables De La Tour to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Bucharest manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
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!
De La Tour throws a big right hand that misses.
De La Tour throws a big elbow that misses.
Bucharest pulls De La Tour in close to his closed guard and prevents De La Tour from doing any damage or advancing position.
Bucharest wants to sweep but no luck.

Bucharest uses the cage to get back to his feet.
De La Tour throws a one two combo.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from De La Tour.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bernard De La Tour showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

De La Tour misses with a takedown attempt
and Bucharest counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
De La Tour jabs Bucharest to the body, keeping him at a distance.
De La Tour falls off balance throwing a combination

and Bucharest counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
De La Tour pushes Bucharest off but Bucharest dives into side control.
De La Tour is pushing Bucharest's head away, looking to escape. Bucharest manages to hold on to the position though.
Bucharest scores with a couple of short elbows.
Bucharest lands a few punches from side control.
De La Tour takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
De La Tour is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Bucharest stands up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Bucharest darts in and clinches De La Tour up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bucharest has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but De La Tour regains guard immediately.

De La Tour wriggles free and stands up.
Bucharest shoots for a double leg takedown but De La Tour sprawls well. He's pushed Bucharest's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bucharest displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from De La Tour.
De La Tour lands a nice shot that snaps Bucharest's head back.

Bucharest clinches.
Bucharest fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bucharest wants to take the fight to the mat but De La Tour manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
De La Tour is trying to break the clinch but Bucharest has him pressed against the cage.
De La Tour is looking to break free of the clinch but Bucharest has double underhooks.
De La Tour is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Bucharest to keep the fight standing.
Jamal Bucharest has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bernard De La Tour.
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!
De La Tour is pressed up against the cage. Bucharest has hold of a leg and is looking to drag De La Tour down to the mat. De La Tour avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Bucharest shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with De La Tour but De La Tour pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bucharest defends well against a solid takedown attempt from De La Tour.

De La Tour gets caught napping as Bucharest dives in and scores a takedown. De La Tour manages to retain guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bucharest forces his way into half guard.
Bucharest content to control rather than advance.
Jamal Bucharest overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bucharest is trying to control the action in half guard but De La Tour is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Bucharest missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bucharest is pressing down on De La Tour's thigh, looking to free his foot. De La Tour is holding on for now.
Bucharest is keen to just control but De La Tour is a slippery customer.
De La Tour trying to control but Bucharest postures up.

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.
De La Tour might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Bucharest haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
De La Tour looks like he's trying to stand up.
Bucharest is trying to control the action in half guard but De La Tour is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
De La Tour wants to get back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
De La Tour misses with the combination.

Bucharest closes the distance and pushes De La Tour back into the cage.
De La Tour is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Bucharest is trying to work for a single leg takedown but De La Tour pulls him back up using the underhooks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jamal Bucharest showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bucharest has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jamal Bucharest!