PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yadeep Singh (ranked 2549 p4p, 2552 weight class) and Darwin Jones (ranked 335 p4p, 336 weight class). Darwin Jones told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Singh
vs
Jones

194 cm
29
201
7 - 7 - 0

191 cm
25
185
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
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 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Yadeep Singh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Darwin Jones!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Singh throws a right hand that Jones ducks under and follows up with a left that Jones also avoids with ease.
An inside leg kick from Jones misses.
Singh is looking for a counter combo.
Jones throws a sloppy head kick and Singh moves out of range easily.
Singh cracks Jones with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Singh throws a looping overhand right but Jones ducks down to avoid it.
Jones throws a leg kick that is checked
and Singh counters with a nice uppercut.
Jones connects with an inside leg kick.
Jones dodges the punch combination from Singh.
Singh fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Jones checks it well.
Jones tries to clinch there but Singh circles away.
It looked like Singh was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Jones.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Singh feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Some wild striking there from Singh.
Jones throws a low kick, looking for Singh's leg but Singh calmly moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones tries for a takedown but Singh sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Yadeep Singh is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Singh keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Jones attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Jones fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Jones misses with a low kick as Singh jumps back.
Singh was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Singh misses with a straight right.
A big left from Singh misses.
Jones defending well as Singh loads up on a big left hand.
Singh ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jones moves away.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Singh!
Jones pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It looked like Singh was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
A nice leg kick from Jones, right into the meat of the thigh.
Jones tries to clinch but Singh is having none of it.
Jones throws a leg kick but Singh checks it.
Singh throwing a counter right hand but Jones manages to avoid it.
Singh checks the leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Singh throws the left hand but Jones avoids the punch easily.
Singh misses with a body shot.
Singh misses with an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Singh throws a shot to the body.
Singh throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Jones lands a nice leg kick that just misses Singh's sensitive parts.
Jones doesn't manage to clinch there - Singh circles away.
Singh throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Jones throws a nice outside leg kick.
Darwin Jones seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice uppercut lands for Singh. That snapped Jones's head back.

Jones closes the distance and clinches.
Singh has had enough of the clinch but Jones keeps him there for the moment.

Singh breaks the clinch.
Singh dips to his left and cracks Jones with an uppercut!
Jones staying out of range there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones tries to score with a low kick but Singh moves his leg out of the way.
Jones punishes Singh's body with a nice straight punch.
Jones keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Jones darts in and clinches Singh up against the cage.
Jones misses with a knee strike.
Singh blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Singh blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Jones prevents Singh from breaking the clinch.

Singh breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jones fails in his attempt to clinch.
Jones moves out of range as Singh strikes.
Jones is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Singh with a body shot.
Jones swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jones wants to clinch up but Singh keeps it at a distance.
Jones fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Yadeep Singh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darwin Jones.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones thumps Singh with a low kick.
A slow jab from Singh misses its intended target.
Jones lands a nice leg kick that just misses Singh's sensitive parts.
Jones tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Singh is able to avoid easily.
Jones wants to clinch but Singh slips to the side
and Singh connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Jones checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Jones doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jones connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Singh momentarily.
Jones lands a nice leg kick that just misses Singh's sensitive parts.
Singh keeps the fight on the outside.
Singh throwing a counter right hand but Jones manages to avoid it.
Singh connects with a leg kick.
Jones takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A slapping leg kick lands for Jones.

Jones drives through and clinches with Singh against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yadeep Singh dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Singh tries to land a front kick but Jones steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Yadeep Singh is winning the standup battle so far.
Singh checks the leg kick nicely there.
Singh throws a shot from downtown. Jones moves away and avoids it.
Jones looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A nice leg kick from Jones, right into the meat of the thigh.
Singh lands a jab-cross combination.
A solid leg kick lands there for Jones.
Jones checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Jones was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Singh misses with a body shot.
Yadeep Singh is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Jones with the inside leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Singh. Jones does a little dance to reset his feet.
Singh throws a poor cross that misses
and Jones counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Singh misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Singh connects with a good right hand that stumbles Jones. Jones circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Jones tries to clinch but Singh is having none of it.
Jones throws a wild body kick that Singh sees coming a mile off.
A little feinted left hand from Singh on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Jones throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Singh feints a jab promting Jones to slip. Singh then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Jones slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Jones misses with a jab to the body
and Singh counters with a nice uppercut.
Singh has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Jones.
Singh takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Singh misses with an uppercut.
Jones lands a head kick!
Jones fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A little feinted left hand from Singh on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Singh throws a series of punches but Jones moves out of range.
Jones tries to counter by closing the distance.
Singh throws a low kick but Jones avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Singh throws a body shot but no joy.
Jones changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Singh tries to avoid it but Jones manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Singh to the ground. Singh escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Yadeep Singh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darwin Jones.
Jones keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jones tries to close the distance and clinch but Singh swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Jones will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Jones is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Singh throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Jones 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.
Singh misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Jones.
Singh lands a nice hook to Jones's body. Jones takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Singh misses the target.
Jones connects with a leg kick.
Singh misses with a jab, cross combination.
A little jabbing left from Jones on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones connects with an inside leg kick.
Singh loads up on a big right hand but Jones slips the punch.
Singh is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Singh throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
We've been informed that Jones has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Jones moves away from the strike by Singh.
A good leg kick by Jones.
Singh looks to land a combination but Jones avoids it well.
Jones lands with a shot to the body.
Jones wants to land a leg kick but Singh is out of range.
Singh tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Jones was well out of range. Poor timing from Singh.
Singh looks to land a combination but Jones avoids it well.
Singh checks a leg kick.
Singh swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A combination from Jones does no damage.
Singh throws a jab when Jones was well out of range.
Singh is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Jones can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Singh misses the shot to the body.
Singh scores with a three punch combo!
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!
Singh misses with a wild combination.
Singh scores with a three punch combo!
Jones moves in looking to clinch but Singh pushes him off.
Jones looks to land a combination but Singh avoids it well.
Jones scores with a leg kick.
Jones will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Singh jumps guard and drags Jones to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Singh keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yadeep Singh dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Jones scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Jones tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Singh manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Singh swinging wildly here.
Jones is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Singh rather than just go for the knockout.
Singh throws a nice looking combination but Jones bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Jones misses with a low kick.
Jones tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Singh counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Singh misses with the combination.
Jones fails with an attempt to clinch.
As Jones looks to move away, Singh throws a big counter combo but Jones just gets out of the way.
Jones is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones misses with a few strikes there.
Jones tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Singh manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Singh was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Jones checks a leg kick.
Singh loads up on a big right hand but Jones slips the punch.
An inside leg kick lands from Jones.
A jab from Singh misses.
Singh is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Jones.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Singh checks a leg kick.
Singh seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Some bone on bone action there as Jones checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Singh has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Jones finds it's way round the side to connect with Singh's head.
Singh misses with a body shot.
Singh misses the shot to the body.
Singh misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Singh misses with a double jab.
Singh throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Singh throws the left hand but Jones avoids the punch easily.
Singh falls off balance throwing a combination
and Jones counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A telegraphed right hand from Singh misses the target.
Jones tries to clinch but Singh is having none of it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Jones.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A telegraphed right hand from Singh misses the target.
Jones let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Jones tries to score with a low kick but Singh moves his leg out of the way.

Jones forces Singh back against the cage and clinches.
Singh is trying to break free.

Singh breaks from the clinch.
Singh swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Jones counters with a left and a right that stings Singh.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Singh checks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones lands a head kick. Singh smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Jones fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Singh throws a solid leg kick but Jones takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Singh.
Donk. Singh catches Jones right on the button with a cross.
Singh throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Singh circles away from the clinch attempt.
Singh pivots, looking for a leg kick but Jones is out of range and Singh settles back down.
Singh connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Yadeep Singh is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Jones shoots in for a takedown but Singh shows good takedown defense.
Singh half committed to a counter leg kick.
A jab from Singh misses.
Jones tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Singh defends well and Jones ends up having to push Singh into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Jones is looking to clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Jones is defended easily by Singh.
Yadeep Singh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darwin Jones.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Singh misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Jones.
Jones connects with a solid leg kick.
Darwin Jones has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jones throws out a leg kick but Singh moves out of range and Jones only half commits.
Singh swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Singh throws a right and a left that Jones avoids nicely.
Jones was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jones dives in and grabs Singh's left leg, looking for a takedown. Singh pushes down on Jones's head and hops out.
Singh takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Singh misses with a double jab.
That kick from Jones tenderised Singh's leg. Singh is trying to keep his angry face on.
Singh keeps the fight on the outside.
As Jones looks to move away, Singh throws a big counter combo but Jones just gets out of the way.
Jones throws a series of punches but Singh moves out of range.
Jones misses with a wild body shot.

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 Yadeep Singh.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Singh, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yadeep Singh!
In defeat, Darwin Jones stepped up to the mic, saying 'I'll continue to push myself to get better, but today I was not the better fighter. Tomorrow is another day though.'.