PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Paul Cider (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cider
vs
James

170 cm
22
156 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Solid chin

Silver Dragon 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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Paul Cider!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, David James!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Bruno Lombardi and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cider shoots in for a takedown but James shows good takedown defense.
Cider fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cider has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paul Cider. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cider will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Cider shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with James but James pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Cider tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but James paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cider fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nice takedown defense from James. No joy for Cider on that attempt.
Cider shoots in but James avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Paul Cider seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

James scores with a takedown into Cider's guard.
James wants to control from the top but Cider keeps moving.

James is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
James stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cider swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Cider controls James momentarily but James frees himself.
Cider is breathing heavily.

James postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Cider is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of James, into his guard.
James keeping moving, preventing Cider from controlling successfully.

Cider drops back looking for a leg! James is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and James manages to kick Cider off! Cider jumps back into James's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
James wants to sweep but no luck.
James striking from the bottom here.
Cider postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cider trying to control but James is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cider looking to pass the guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

James shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Cider's guard.
James with a nice head shot there.
James passes Cider's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

James is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Cider is just riding it out for now. James eventually gives up the hold.

Cider actively working from the bottom here.

Cider is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but James pulls his head out easily.
Cider works his way to full guard. Good work.

Cider looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Cider not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Cider is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
James thows a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Cider is on top in guard.
Cider wants to stand but James is controlling his posture from full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James looking for a sweep. Not yet James, not yet.
Cider works over James with some ground and pound from guard.
Cider trying to control but James is working from the bottom.
James looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cider is one step ahead there.
Cider is pushing down on James's leg trying to pass to half guard. James is fighting to maintain full guard but Cider has managed to sneak the leg through.
Cider 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.
James is pressing down on Cider's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Cider stopping the sweep attempt from James.
James bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cider's guard.
James postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Cider trying to keep a closed guard but James is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cider 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 trying to control but Cider is working from the bottom.
Cider is trying to control the position but James postures up.
James trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Cider looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
James content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Cider trying to control the position.
James throwing strikes but missing.
James postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
James connects with a couple of short punches.
James trying to control but Cider is working from the bottom.
James missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cider is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cider with a poor takedown

and James counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Cider taking some punishment here, with James in his half guard.
James scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Cider is trying to defend against the ground and pound but James scores with a couple of nice shots.

Cider kicks James off and gets back to his feet.
Cider with a poor takedown

and James decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Cider's guard.
David James has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
James looking to pass the guard.
James working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Cider is looking for a triangle but James pushes his legs off easily.
James won't allow Cider to sweep him here.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Cider is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
James stopping the sweep attempt from Cider.

Cider 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 is breathing heavily.
Cider is trying to keep James in close.
James scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cider wants to stand up but James is controlling him.

Cider looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Cider is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Cider looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cider keeping full guard, as James tries to pass.

Cider is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Cider bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in James's guard.
James wants to sweep but no luck.

Cider thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
James keeping moving, preventing Cider from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James looking for a sweep. Not yet James, not yet.
Cider trying to control but James is working from the bottom.
Cider tries to free his leg and advance position but James is retaining full guard.

James had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Cider is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. James Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Cider's back instead.
Cider is in bad spot here.
Cider turns into James and is now in his guard.

James is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

James looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
James won't allow Cider to sweep him here.
James pushes down on Cider's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Cider is looking to improve his position.
Cider wants to control but James is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cider actively working from the bottom here.
Cider gets full guard.
James makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Cider is rocked!
Cider 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.

Cider looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

James is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Cider is looking for a triangle but James pushes his legs off easily.
Cider manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Cider stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Cider doesn't succeed with the takedown

and James counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paul Cider. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cider moves into full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James trying to control but Cider is working from the bottom.
James distracts Cider with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Oh Cider is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
James distracts Cider with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

James thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
James is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
James working some strikes from top position.
James must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
James postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
James works a leg free and moves into half guard.
James passes to full mount!
James is in the full mount, landing strikes.
James in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
James putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
James avoids the attempt from Cider to control.
James takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
BOOM! James connects with a massive shot to the dome!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David James showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nice sprawl there from Cider as James shoots in.
James looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cider is fending him off so far but James persists. Nope, Cider circles away and we're back to standing.
James fails with a takedown attempt.
Paul Cider has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of David James.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from James.
James changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cider tries to avoid it but James manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cider to the ground. Cider escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
James with a poor takedown
and Cider cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from James.
James shoots in and drives through. Cider sprawls well.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from James.
James shoots in for a double leg but Cider sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
James takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
James has a takedown stuffed.
James shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
James shoots in for a takedown but Cider shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James shoots in but no luck this time.
James shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
James shoots in and drives through. Cider sprawls well.
No luck for James with that takedown attempt.
James has a takedown stuffed.
James shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cider as he avoids it easily.
James looks for a takedown but Cider sprawls well.
James shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cider but Cider pushes him off and we're back to square one.
James closes the distance and clinches up with Cider, looking for a takedown. James pushes Cider against the cage but Cider circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
James shoots in but Cider avoids the takedown attempt easily.
James shoots in looking for a takedown. Cider tries to sprawl out of it but James keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cider manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
James misses with a takedown attempt - Cider sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cider's waist but Cider gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing James off to one side.
James shoots in for a takedown but Cider shows good takedown defense.
No luck for James with that takedown attempt.
James shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cider as he jumps to the side.
James misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
James fails with a takedown attempt.
James fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
No luck for James with that takedown attempt.
James shoots in and drives through. Cider sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James fails to land the takedown.
James fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
James fails to land the takedown.
James fails to land the takedown.
James shoots in for a takedown but Cider shows good takedown defense.
James changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cider tries to avoid it but James manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cider to the ground. Cider escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
James shoots for a takedown but Cider saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
James shoots for a double leg takedown but Cider sprawls well. He's pushed James's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Horrible takedown by James or perhaps it was just good defense by Cider which made him look bad.
James fails to land the takedown.
James looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cider is fending him off so far but James persists. Nope, Cider circles away and we're back to standing.
James shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James shoots in for a double leg but Cider sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
James tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cider swivels and escapes.
James looks for a takedown but Cider sprawls well.
James shoots for a takedown but Cider saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
No luck for James with that takedown attempt.
James looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
James shoots in but no luck this time.
Paul Cider has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cider's waist but Cider gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing James off to one side.
Paul Cider is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
James will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
James shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cider as he jumps to the side.
Cider stuffs the takedown.
James shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cider as he jumps to the side.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from James.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Cider showed his dominance in that final round.
I think James has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:28
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:28
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!