PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jamaal Russo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Alcatraz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Russo
vs
Alcatraz

188 cm
18
177 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

180 cm
21
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Hates pizza

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

VICIOUS FIGHT GEAR

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jamaal Russo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jose Alcatraz!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alcatraz stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Alcatraz wants it to stay on the feet.
Alcatraz shoots in for a takedown but Russo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Alcatraz has his takedown stuffed
and Russo counters with a two punch combo.
Alcatraz looks winded!
Alcatraz is trying hard to land a takedown here. Russo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Jamaal Russo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Alcatraz.
Alcatraz throws a leg kick but Russo sees it coming and checks it nicely.

Alcatraz gets a clinch.

Russo has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Alcatraz uses from the top position.
Alcatraz preventing the sweep.
Alcatraz wants to stand but Russo has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Russo working for submissions but it's allowed Alcatraz to get to half guard.
Russo is not content to let Alcatraz control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alcatraz is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Russo defends it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Russo is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Alcatraz is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Russo sees it coming and defends easily.
Russo is looking to improve his position.
Alcatraz stops Russo from getting back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Russo tries to get to full guard but Alcatraz has control of the leg.
Russo on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Russo trying to hold on to Alcatraz's head to control him but Alcatraz postures up.
Alcatraz looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo trying to control from the bottom.
Russo keeping control of the position.
Russo is looking to improve his position.
Alcatraz thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Russo's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jamaal Russo has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Russo closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Alcatraz's guard.
Russo trying to stand up but can't free himself from Alcatraz's guard.
Alcatraz is pulling down on Russo's head. It's preventing any offense from Russo, at least for the moment.
Alcatraz tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Alcatraz managing to control the position.
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 Jamaal Russo will probably get the nod.
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.

Russo misses with a jab, cross combination.
Alcatraz misses with a takedown attempt - Russo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Russo looks to land a combination but Alcatraz avoids it well.
Some wild striking there from Russo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alcatraz shoots in for a takedown but Russo shows good takedown defense.
Alcatraz throws a leg kick

and Russo counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Russo.
Alcatraz is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo is in close to Alcatraz's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Russo postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Alcatraz is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Alcatraz looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Russo working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Alcatraz's head.
Alcatraz is trying to hold Russo in close to prevent damage but Russo has managed to pass into half guard.
Russo tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Russo there.
Russo wants to stand but Alcatraz has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alcatraz is looking to improve his position.
Alcatraz wants to control but Russo passes into side.
Alcatraz is trying to improve his position.
A lull in the action here as Russo stalls from top position.
Jamaal Russo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alcatraz is trying to get back to half guard.
Alcatraz struggling a bit here.
Russo lands a nice forearm strike.

Russo is trying to get an arm triangle but Alcatraz is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jamaal Russo dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Alcatraz gets a clinch.

Russo has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Alcatraz uses from the top position.
Alcatraz missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Alcatraz stands and throws Russo's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Alcatraz tries to stand but Russo is controlling his head.

Alcatraz thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Alcatraz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo is trying to get back to half guard.
Russo manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Russo tries to stand and escape but Alcatraz is controlling the position.
Alcatraz wants to get back to full guard.
Russo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Alcatraz trying to control but Russo postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alcatraz is not content to let Russo control the position.
Alcatraz blocking the ground and pound attempt from Russo.

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

Russo gets tackled into the cage by Alcatraz. Alcatraz maintains the clinch.
Alcatraz taking a breather.
Russo tries to pull guard but Alcatraz won't allow it.
Russo tries to pull guard but Alcatraz holds him up against the cage and eventually Russo drops back down to his feet.

Russo jumps into guard, dragging Alcatraz to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alcatraz controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Alcatraz wants to stand but Russo has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Russo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Alcatraz defends well.
Alcatraz works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Alcatraz is keen to just control but Russo is a slippery customer.
Russo is trying to get back to full guard.
Russo knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Alcatraz on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alcatraz decides to return to a standing position.
Alcatraz fails to land with a series of punches.

Russo tries to sprawl but Alcatraz drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Alcatraz wants to pass the guard but Russo is defending well.
Russo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Alcatraz.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Alcatraz thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jose Alcatraz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Russo 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jamaal Russo!