PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jean Christophe Desjardins (ranked 6086 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kevin Owens (ranked 3987 p4p, 0 weight class). Desjardins comes to the cage accompanied by En berne. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Christophe Desjardins
vs
Owens

176 cm
25
257 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jean Christophe Desjardins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kevin Owens!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Robert Douchet and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Owens tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Desjardins paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Owens. Desjardins does a little dance to reset his feet.

Desjardins fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Owens, pushing him back against the cage.
Desjardins could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Desjardins breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Desjardins throws a hook but Owens avoids it easily.
Desjardins fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Owens wants to counter with a clinch but Desjardins pushes him away.
Owens tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Desjardins counters with a three punch combo that has Owens backing up. Owens nods at Desjardins to acknowledge the strikes.
Desjardins throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Owens drives through and clinches with Desjardins against the cage.
Owens with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Desjardins.
Desjardins connects with a knee to the head.
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!

Desjardins breaks the clinch.
Owens misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Owens.
Desjardins half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Desjardins closes the distance and clinches.

Desjardins breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Desjardins pushes Owens up against the cage in a clinch.
Desjardins comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Owens wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Desjardins is looking for a takedown.

Desjardins breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Desjardins shoots in and drives through. Owens sprawls well.
Owens let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jean Christophe Desjardins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Owens looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Desjardins is fending him off so far but Owens persists. Nope, Desjardins circles away and we're back to standing.
Owens wants to land a leg kick but Desjardins is out of range.
Desjardins changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Owens looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Desjardins fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Owens.
Kevin Owens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Desjardins rushes Owens and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A short uppercut from Desjardins.
Desjardins tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Owens has Desjardins pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Owens pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Desjardins tumbling to the mat - Owens dives into Desjardins's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Desjardins working a defensive guard here.
Owens forces his way into half guard.

Owens is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Desjardins on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Owens has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Desjardins works to full guard.
Owens stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Desjardins swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Owens scoring with punches to the head and body.
Owens lands a couple of digs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Desjardins pulls Owens in close to prevent any damage.
Desjardins looking for a sweep. Not yet Desjardins, not yet.

Desjardins looking for a guillotine here but Owens defends easily.
Owens wants to control from the top but Desjardins keeps moving.
Owens being controlled here momentarily.
Owens pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Desjardins is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Desjardins throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Owens is looking to clinch but Desjardins is avoiding it.
Owens slips a jab and a cross from Desjardins.

Owens moves into range and clinches up with Desjardins.
Owens is trying to pull guard but Desjardins has him pressed against the cage.
Desjardins drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Owens gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Desjardins is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Owens goes for a takedown attempt but Desjardins pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Desjardins has managed to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Desjardins breaks from the clinch.
Owens tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Desjardins defends well and Owens ends up having to push Desjardins into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Jean Christophe Desjardins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kevin Owens.
Owens lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

It looks like Jean Christophe Desjardins has been cut.
Desjardins tries to clinch up.
Owens lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Owens stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Owens wants it to stay on the feet.
Desjardins blocks the body kick.
Owens shoots in for a takedown but Desjardins shows good takedown defense.
Desjardins shoots in but Owens avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Owens keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Desjardins avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
As Owens looks to move away, Desjardins throws a big counter combo but Owens just gets out of the way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Desjardins closes the distance looking to clinch
and Owens counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Owens misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Owens is breathing heavily.
Owens misses with a few strikes there.

Desjardins gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Desjardins breaks from the clinch.
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!
Owens fails with an attempt to clinch.
Desjardins scores with a three punch combo!
Owens on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Desjardins fails in his attempt to clinch.
Desjardins backing away here, and Owens unleashes a leg kick that just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Desjardins misses with a double jab
and Owens counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Desjardins goes for a double leg but Owens avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Owens continues to drive forward.
Desjardins tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Owens paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Owens looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Desjardins is fending him off so far but Owens persists. Nope, Desjardins circles away and we're back to standing.

Owens closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Desjardins displaying some good clinch control by pressing Owens up against the cage.

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

Owens darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Desjardins kicks off Owens and gets to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Owens forces Desjardins back against the cage and clinches.
Desjardins is trying to pull guard but Owens has him pressed against the cage.
Owens looking for a takedown.

Desjardins jumps guard.
Desjardins lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Owens wants to stand and escape but Desjardins is having none of it.
Desjardins trying to control the position from guard on top but Owens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jean Christophe Desjardins dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jean Christophe Desjardins's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Desjardins displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Owens.
Desjardins shoots in looking for a takedown but Owens manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Desjardins's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Owens will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Jean Christophe Desjardins is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Desjardins stuffs the takedown.
Jean Christophe Desjardins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kevin Owens.
Owens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Desjardins tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Owens defends well and Desjardins ends up having to push Owens into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Desjardins shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Owens as he jumps to the side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Owens doesn't manage to clinch there - Desjardins circles away.

Desjardins closes the distance and pushes Owens back into the cage.
Owens takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Desjardins has Owens pressed against the cage, preventing Owens from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Owens wants to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Desjardins has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Owens is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Desjardins can't find room to land a body shot as Owens controls the action.
Desjardins is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Owens is defending well.
Desjardins tries to pull guard but Owens holds him up against the cage and eventually Desjardins drops back down to his feet.
Desjardins gets underhooks to prevent Owens's takedown attempt.

Desjardins breaks from the clinch.
Desjardins shoots for a double leg takedown but Owens sprawls well. He's pushed Desjardins's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Owens wants to clinch up but Desjardins keeps it at a distance.
Desjardins swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Owens keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Owens looking to score a takedown here. Desjardins is defending well but Owens drives through and ends up in Desjardins's guard.

Desjardins has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Owens has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Desjardins can't break the clinch.
Owens is trying to pull guard but Desjardins turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Owens misses with a knee to the head.
Owens has Desjardins pushed against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Owens is trying to break free.
Desjardins misses with a hook from the clinch.
Owens misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Desjardins fails to pull guard.

Desjardins breaks the clinch.
Desjardins looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Owens is fending him off so far but Desjardins persists. Nope, Owens circles away and we're back to standing.
Owens tries for a takedown but Desjardins sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Desjardins doesn't manage to clinch there - Owens circles away.
Desjardins fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Owens scores with a jab to the body.
Owens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Owens with a nice cross.
Owens tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Desjardins scores with a head kick. Owens tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Owens gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Owens jumps guard but Desjardins stands there with Owens around his waist. Owens gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Owens jumps guard but Desjardins stands there with Owens around his waist. Owens gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Desjardins comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Desjardins fails to pull the fight into his guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Desjardins pulls guard effortlessly.
Jean Christophe Desjardins overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Owens keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Desjardins's head.
Kevin Owens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jean Christophe Desjardins is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Owens throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jean Christophe Desjardins.
Well Desjardins has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jean Christophe Desjardins!
In his post fight interview, Jean Christophe Desjardins started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.