PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between James Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Spike The Crusher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Jones
vs
The Crusher

150 cm
25
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Self confident

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, James Jones!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Spike The Crusher!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Shirou Masuda and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jones tries to clinch there but The Crusher circles away.
Jones tries to score a power double leg takedown but The Crusher sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jones somewhat.
The Crusher tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Jones counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The Crusher is looking to escape.
The Crusher trying to hold on to Jones's head to control him but Jones postures up.
Jones wants to take a breather but The Crusher is having none of it.
The Crusher is trying to stand up here but Jones is controlling him well.
Jones wants to lay and pray for a moment but The Crusher keeps working.
Jones knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for The Crusher on the ground.
Jones throwing shots but The Crusher is blocking nicely.
Jones wants to stand up but The Crusher has a hold of him and won't allow it.
The Crusher trying to control but Jones postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jones looks for a takedown but The Crusher sprawls well.
The Crusher misses with a takedown

and Jones counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The Crusher looking for a sweep. Not yet The Crusher, not yet.
Jones wants to pass the guard but The Crusher is keeping the position.

The Crusher pushes Jones off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
The Crusher throws the kick towards the body but Jones avoids it.

Jones gets the takedown into side control.
The Crusher parries the strikes from Jones easily there. Jones is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable The Crusher to escape.
The Crusher sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Crusher regains full guard. Nicely done.
The Crusher looking for a sweep. Not yet The Crusher, not yet.
The Crusher trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
The Crusher is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Jones trying to control the position from guard on top but The Crusher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The Crusher is trying to control the position but Jones postures up.
Jones wants to stand but The Crusher has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Jones looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Crusher doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Jones tries to clinch up

and The Crusher counters with a takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The Crusher landing a few strikes.

The Crusher decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Jones tries for a takedown but The Crusher circles away easily

and The Crusher counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Jones. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The Crusher trying to control but Jones is working from the bottom.
Jones looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The Crusher stands up and waves to Jones to follow him.
The Crusher fails with the takedown

so Jones counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Jones is breathing heavily.
The Crusher looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if The Crusher can do anything to dispel that myth.
The Crusher trying to control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The Crusher has Jones pulled in close to control his posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that James Jones will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

The Crusher clinches with his opponent.
The Crusher tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Jones drops down looking for an ankle pick but The Crusher pulls his leg out and moves away.
The Crusher looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The Crusher misses with a takedown attempt

so Jones counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Jones pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. The Crusher is keeping the position for now.
The Crusher wants to stand but Jones is controlling the position.
Jones trying to control the position from guard on top but The Crusher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The Crusher working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Jones doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Jones manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Jones controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Jones stopping the sweep attempt from The Crusher.
Jones wants to control from the top but The Crusher keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Jones wants to stand and escape but instead The Crusher has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
The Crusher postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jones tries to close the distance and clinch but The Crusher swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The Crusher misses with a takedown

and Jones counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Jones trying to control the position from guard on top but The Crusher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The Crusher looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The Crusher keeping full guard, as Jones tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones trying to control but The Crusher is working from the bottom.
The Crusher controls Jones momentarily but Jones frees himself.
James Jones overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The Crusher 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.
The Crusher controls Jones momentarily but Jones frees himself.
Jones wants to control from the top but The Crusher keeps moving.

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.

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

The Crusher shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Jones napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jones tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but The Crusher wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Jones wants to control but The Crusher postures up.
Jones is looking for a sweep.
The Crusher is looking to take a break and control but Jones is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Jones is looking to regain half guard here but The Crusher keeps moving and retains side control.
The Crusher creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Jones dominated that second round.
That's time! Jones's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

The Crusher tries to clinch up but Jones circles away and keeps his distance.
James Jones is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jones circles away from the clinch attempt

so Jones counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The Crusher controls Jones momentarily but Jones frees himself.
The Crusher is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Jones wanted to stand there but The Crusher had control of the position.
The Crusher manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Jones manages to get himself to full guard.

The Crusher stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Crusher has his takedown stuffed

and Jones counters with a single leg into guard. The Crusher didn't expect that.
The Crusher takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The Crusher is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jones throws a strike but The Crusher rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
The Crusher preventing the sweep.
Jones has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but The Crusher has passed into side control.

The Crusher stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Crusher tries to clinch but Jones moves away

and Jones counters with a shoot takedown. The Crusher fights it but they end up in guard.
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!
The Crusher is trying to control the position but Jones postures up.
Jones has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The Crusher wants to sweep but no luck.
The Crusher keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.
Jones looking to sit in guard and control but The Crusher gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Jones wants to control the position but The Crusher says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones trying to control but The Crusher postures up.
Jones punching from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

The Crusher fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Jones, pushing him back against the cage.
The Crusher leaning against his opponent.
The Crusher stops a takedown attempt from Jones.
Jones leaning his opponent against the cage.
The Crusher has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Jones avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
The Crusher managing to block the knees to the body from Jones.
The Crusher tries to pull guard but Jones won't allow it.
James Jones has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Spike The Crusher.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
The Crusher tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Jones blocks the elbow strike.
Jones fails to pull guard.
The Crusher can't get the takedown.
The Crusher is trying to force a seperation but Jones has the dominant position.
The Crusher misses with a hook to the ribs.

Jones gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Jones throws a big right hand that misses.
The Crusher is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Jones is looking for a sweep. The Crusher is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The Crusher trying to control from half guard but Jones is working away.
Jones keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Jones clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Jones throws a right and a left that The Crusher avoids nicely.
The Crusher tries to clinch

and Jones moves into the clinch.
The Crusher goes for a takedown in the clinch but Jones prevents it.

The Crusher ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. The Crusher no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
The Crusher lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Jones!
The Crusher punishing his opponent with strikes.
The Crusher avoids the attempt from Jones to control.
Jones is squirming around, avoiding The Crusher's attempts to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones is just holding on here. The Crusher manages to take his back.
Jones is covering up but some of the strikes from The Crusher are getting through and doing damage.
Jones is keeping busy.
Jones rolls, trying to escape but The Crusher keeps control of the position.
Jones is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by The Crusher.

Jones defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of The Crusher's arms.
The Crusher is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Jones can't escape the position.
Jones is working hard here to advance position.

Jones preventing the rear naked choke attempt from The Crusher.

The Crusher is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Jones looking very determined here, making life difficult for The Crusher.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Crusher doesn't have the hooks in and Jones manages to turn into his guard.
Jones controls from within his opponent's guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Jones rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but The Crusher moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

The Crusher closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Jones is trying to control The Crusher's posture but The Crusher avoids it.
The Crusher trying to control the position but Jones is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Crusher in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Jones holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.

The Crusher decides to stand back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The Crusher doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Jones counters by moving into the clinch.
The Crusher is working for takedown but Jones is calmly controlling the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Spike The Crusher dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Jones.
The Crusher sneaks back into half guard.
Jones stalling away here and it's allowed The Crusher to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Jones throwing strikes but missing.
Jones throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Jones trying to control the position from guard on top but The Crusher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Crusher throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
The Crusher wants to stand and escape but Jones is having none of it.
Jones trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jones controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
The Crusher misses with a takedown attempt

and Jones counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Jones.
The Crusher controlling Jones's posture.
Jones controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones trying to control but The Crusher is working from the bottom.
The Crusher looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jones is one step ahead there.
Jones wants to stand and escape but instead The Crusher has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Jones had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. The Crusher defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jones is working an open guard so The Crusher takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
The Crusher tries for a takedown but Jones circles away easily

and Jones counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for The Crusher!
The Crusher tries to lock up and control but Jones gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Jones landing shots from mount.
The Crusher wants to control but Jones is having none of it.
The Crusher really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of The Crusher's face.
Jones content just to control the position here.
The Crusher wants to control but Jones is having none of it.
Spike The Crusher has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James Jones is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The Crusher can't escape the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Jones showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Jones 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 49:47
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 49:46
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Jones!
James Jones is the new bantamweight champion!