PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Santosh Gurung (ranked 3069 p4p, 24983 weight class) and Elijah James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gurung
vs
James

162 cm
25
133
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
140
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Santosh Gurung!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Elijah James!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, David Hoff and Sandra Marshall.

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

James tries to keep at a distance but Gurung has taken the fight into the clinch.
Gurung lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Elijah James has been cut.
James tries to land a knee to the head but Gurung blocks with his arms.
James with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Gurung works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Gurung in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gurung stays in close to James's body and controls the position.
Gurung has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Gurung thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gurung with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gurung is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gurung passes James's left leg - he's now in half guard.
James really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gurung. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gurung sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. James defending well though.
Still in half guard, Gurung seems content to control.
James is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Gurung looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gurung perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

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.
Gurung is nestled in close to James, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Gurung is taking a breather. James says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gurung passes into side control, despite James's attempt to control the position.
Gurung staying calm.
Gurung has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for James!
Gurung looking to finish James with some ground and pound. This is bad for James!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gurung controlling from mount.
James looks winded!
This is a sustained period of stalling by Gurung.
Gurung postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. James looks a forlorn figure.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Gurung sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gurung lands a big shot there that rocks James but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Gurung with good strikes from the mount here!
Gurung scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Gurung tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Gurung with a couple of short strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gurung lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Santosh Gurung dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Elijah James's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gurung clinches with his opponent.

Gurung's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

James tries to keep at a distance but Gurung has taken the fight into the clinch.
James tries to pull guard but Gurung holds him up against the cage and eventually James drops back down to his feet.
Gurung scores with a knee to the head.
James tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Gurung just stands there and leans against the cage.
James throws a punch but it's blocked by Gurung.
Knees in the clinch landing for Gurung.

Gurung is trying to trip James. He has hold of a leg but James is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Gurung persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Gurung content to stall in guard here.
James has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Gurung has passed into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gurung controlling from side mount.
James is breathing heavily.
Gurung cracks James with a big right hand but James just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Gurung controls the position.
Gurung throws a strike aimed at the side of James's head but James avoids it well.
Gurung staying calm.
Santosh Gurung overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

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.
Gurung is chipping away with strikes.
James takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Gurung passes to full mount! That's big trouble for James!
Gurung fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Gurung raining down shots from the mount!
Gurung lands a big shot to the head and James winces in pain. He's tapped out due to strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Santosh Gurung!
During a confident post fight interview, Santosh Gurung thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.