PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Percival James (ranked 3368 p4p, 4828 weight class) and Edson Castro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Percival James could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Edson Castro's chin.

James
vs
Castro

185 cm
25
160
2 - 1 - 0

170 cm
25
164
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Inexperienced

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Percival James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Edson Castro!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Winston Alpacca and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

James drives through with a takedown into guard.

James drops back looking for a leg! Castro is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Castro manages to kick James off! James jumps back into Castro's guard.
James postures up.
James passes easily into side control. Nice work.

James working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Castro is looking to regain half guard here but James keeps moving and retains side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Castro wants to control but James postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Castro is looking to reverse the position.
James in the domination position with Castro hanging on.
James trying to control the position but Castro is working away.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Castro can do anything to dispel that myth.

James wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Castro, who protects the arm well.

James is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Castro knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but James wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

James looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

James is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Castro has escaped the position, nice work there.
Castro is looking for a sweep.
James working away.
Castro tries to improve position but can't.
Castro sneaks back into half guard.

James is looking for a kimura here.
Castro is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castro makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Castro.
James stopping the sweep attempt from Castro.
Castro is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Still in half guard, Castro seems content to control.
James regains full guard. Nicely done.

James working for a triangle but Castro defends it easily.
Castro trying to control the position from guard on top but James is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Castro is pushing down on James's leg trying to pass to half guard. James is fighting to maintain full guard but Castro has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro passes to full mount!

Castro looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Castro sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Castro goes for an armbar but James turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from James.
Castro keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.
James will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Castro manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. James manages to get himself to full guard.

Castro passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Castro looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

James looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Castro is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so James is just riding it out for now. Castro eventually gives up the hold.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Castro is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from James as he works his way to full guard.
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 Percival James will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

James gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
James working a defensive guard here.

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

James is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Castro defends well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Castro sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed James's guard.
James won't allow Castro to pass to mount.

Castro is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro slows the pace down in half guard.
Castro trying to pass the guard but James defending well.

James looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
James is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Castro wants to take a breather but James is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Castro is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, James has managed to free his arm - good work.
Castro perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Castro is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Castro is thwarting James's attempts to control the position.
Castro tries to pass the half guard into mount. James knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Castro wants to lay and pray for a moment but James keeps working.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Castro shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Castro avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Castro stays in close to James's body and controls the position.
James manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Castro manages to get himself to full guard.

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

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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James won't allow Castro to sweep him here.
James trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Castro wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Castro looking to hit a scissor sweep but James is one step ahead there.
Castro is still trying to improve position.
James controls from within his opponent's guard.
Edson Castro has got the better of the ground game so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Castro wants to sweep here but James controlling him for the moment.

Castro working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. James doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. James manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Edson Castro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! James's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Castro feints and as James raises his hands in defense, Castro changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Castro passes James's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Castro looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Castro is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
James is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Castro has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
James keeping full guard, as Castro tries to pass.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Castro trying to control but James is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James is looking for a triangle but Castro pushes his legs off easily.
James is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Castro trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Castro must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

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

James is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
James is trying to keep Castro in close.

James working for a triangle but Castro defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Castro tries to free his leg and advance position but James is retaining full guard.
Castro trying to control the position from guard on top but James is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
James is trying to control the position but Castro postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Castro darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Castro is thwarting James's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Castro is sneakily working for an arm triangle but James sees it coming and defends easily.
James trying to control here.
Castro trying to mount his opponent but James defends it.
James is refusing to be controlled, as Castro sits in half guard.

Castro maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! James could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Castro has cracked it and James is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Castro!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Edson Castro!