PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Julius Ceasar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Darnielle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). John Darnielle will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Ceasar
vs
Darnielle

175 cm
33
199 lbs
19 - 10 - 0

197 cm
33
196 lbs
27 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

TWGC Champion
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Julius Ceasar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Darnielle!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Micheangelo Fripello and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Darnielle throws the left hand but Ceasar avoids the punch easily.
Darnielle avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Darnielle connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
John Darnielle seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Darnielle connects with a single shot there.
Darnielle connects with a body shot.
Darnielle moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Darnielle looks for the body kick but Ceasar saw that one coming.
A slapping leg kick lands for Darnielle.
Darnielle throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Darnielle misses with the combination.
Darnielle fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ceasar has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ceasar tries to clinch up.

Ceasar has closed the distance and engaged Darnielle in a clinch.
Ceasar prevents the takedown attempt.

Ceasar breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Darnielle misses with a double jab.
Some bone on bone action there as Ceasar checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darnielle shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ceasar as he avoids it easily.
Darnielle shoots in for a takedown but Ceasar shows good takedown defense.
Julius Ceasar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Darnielle.
Ceasar takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Ceasar gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ceasar tries to work over Darnielle's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ceasar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ceasar throws a punch but it's blocked by Darnielle.

Darnielle manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Darnielle wants to stand but Ceasar is controlling the position.
Darnielle pulls Ceasar in close to prevent any damage.
Darnielle is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darnielle looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Ceasar puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Ceasar stops Darnielle from getting back to his feet.

Ceasar decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Ceasar slips a straight right by Darnielle.
Darnielle swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Ceasar counters with a right hand to the body.
Julius Ceasar is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
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!
Ceasar avoids the head kick by Darnielle.
Darnielle throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ceasar.
A combination from Darnielle does no damage.
Darnielle blocks a head kick by Ceasar.
Darnielle throws a leg kick
and Ceasar counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Darnielle throws a looping overhand right but Ceasar ducks down to avoid it.
Ceasar tries to clinch
letting Darnielle counter with a right hand.
Darnielle avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darnielle looks to land a combination but Ceasar avoids it well.
Darnielle throws a right hand that Ceasar ducks under and follows up with a left that Ceasar also avoids with ease.
Darnielle throws a leg kick
and Ceasar counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Darnielle thows a body shot but no joy.
Darnielle lands with a kick to the ribs.
Darnielle throws a leg kick
and Ceasar counters with a two punch combo.
A leg kick checked by Ceasar.
Ceasar tries to clinch up but Darnielle circles away and keeps his distance.
Ceasar throws a series of punches but Darnielle moves out of range.
Darnielle circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ceasar tries to clinch up.

Ceasar pushes Darnielle up against the cage in a clinch.
Ceasar gets through Darnielle's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ceasar misses with the head strike.
Ceasar wants to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ceasar pushes Darnielle back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ceasar goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ceasar misses with the head strike.
Ceasar misses with a punch on the inside.
A short left from Ceasar.
Ceasar tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Darnielle's elbow.
Ceasar is stalling here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ceasar misses with a body punch.
Darnielle has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Ceasar seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Darnielle can turn it around.
Darnielle blocks a body shot from Ceasar.
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 Julius Ceasar will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Darnielle swats away the attempt to clinch by Ceasar.
John Darnielle seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Darnielle comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Ceasar has managed to clinch.
Ceasar goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Darnielle breaks from the clinch.
Darnielle throws a low kick but Ceasar moves out of range easily.
Ceasar tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Darnielle paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Darnielle fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ceasar avoids it really well and circles away.
Ceasar slips a jab and a cross from Darnielle.
Darnielle swings widly with a right hand
and Ceasar counters with a three punch combo that has Darnielle backing up. Darnielle nods at Ceasar to acknowledge the strikes.
Darnielle pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Darnielle swings for the body but Ceasar moves out of range.
Darnielle avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darnielle throws a leg kick which misses Ceasar's front leg but catches the back leg as Ceasar tries to avoid it.
Ceasar thuds a left hand into Darnielle's body.
Darnielle throws a leg kick but Ceasar checks it.
Ceasar drops his hands momentarily and Darnielle takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Darnielle is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ceasar's half guard.
Darnielle prevents Ceasar from standing back up.
Ceasar is in trouble now - Darnielle has advanced to mount!
Darnielle misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Ceasar might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Ceasar tries to hold on but Darnielle pushes him away.

Darnielle goes for an armbar but Ceasar turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Ceasar.
Ceasar advances to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ceasar stops Darnielle from getting back to his feet.
Darnielle is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ceasar works his way into side control.
Darnielle tries to improve position but can't.
Darnielle keeps trying to improve his position.

Ceasar stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darnielle stuns Ceasar with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ceasar looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Darnielle wants to slow Ceasar down by chopping away at his legs.
Ceasar's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Darnielle connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Ceasar scrambles back to his feet.
Darnielle looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ceasar tries to clinch there but Darnielle circles away.
Darnielle tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ceasar was well out of range. Poor timing from Darnielle.

Darnielle shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ceasar manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Darnielle with a flurry of punches that miss.
Darnielle wants to control from the top but Ceasar keeps moving.
Ceasar is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Darnielle is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darnielle works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Darnielle wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ceasar keeps working.
Darnielle missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Darnielle is trying to control. Ceasar wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Darnielle is looking for a kimura here.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Darnielle is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ceasar sees it coming and defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Darnielle 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! This is the final round!

Darnielle displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Darnielle is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Darnielle scores with a punch to the head.

Ceasar gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Darnielle tries to break free but Ceasar pushes him back against the cage.
Ceasar holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Darnielle changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ceasar fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ceasar doesn't manage to clinch there - Darnielle circles away.
Darnielle has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Ceasar moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ceasar tries to clinch but Darnielle moves out of range.
John Darnielle is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Darnielle misses with a hook
and Ceasar makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Darnielle connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ceasar momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darnielle misses the jab.
Darnielle paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Darnielle avoids the body shot from Ceasar.
Darnielle circles away from the clinch attempt.
Darnielle circles away from the clinch attempt
and Darnielle counters with an inside leg kick.
No joy there for Darnielle, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ceasar.
Darnielle throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Darnielle throws a looping overhand right but Ceasar ducks down to avoid it.
Darnielle wants to land a leg kick but Ceasar is out of range.
Darnielle shoots for a takedown but Ceasar saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Darnielle throws a sloppy head kick and Ceasar moves out of range easily.
Ceasar avoids the body shot from Darnielle.
Ceasar has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Darnielle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ceasar wants to clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Darnielle is defended easily by Ceasar.
Julius Ceasar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Darnielle.
Darnielle takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Darnielle looks for the body kick but Ceasar saw that one coming.
A lazy left from Ceasar finds it's target.
Ceasar wants to clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Ceasar closes the distance and pushes Darnielle back into the cage.
Darnielle tries to pull guard but Ceasar holds him up against the cage and eventually Darnielle drops back down to his feet.
Ceasar lands a left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ceasar's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Darnielle drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ceasar.
Nice elbow from Ceasar.

It looks like John Darnielle has been cut.
Darnielle fails to pull the fight into his guard.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Ceasar takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Ceasar can't find room to land a body shot as Darnielle controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darnielle's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ceasar.
Ceasar slowing the pace effectively.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Darnielle.
Ceasar has Darnielle pressed against the cage, preventing Darnielle from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Darnielle blocks a body shot from Ceasar.
Ceasar is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ceasar lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Ceasar misses with a short punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Julius Ceasar showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ceasar 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Julius Ceasar!