PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Priest (ranked 4957 p4p, 4805 weight class) and Calvino Imbembe (ranked 584 p4p, 574 weight class). Priest comes to the cage accompanied by https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn1Bbgk1sPo. Imbembe is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Tarantella napoletana. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Priest
vs
Imbembe

168 cm
18
184
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
24
187
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, John Priest!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Calvino Imbembe!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, John Kavanagh and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Imbembe shoots in for a takedown but Priest shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck for Imbembe with that takedown attempt.
Imbembe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Priest appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Imbembe.
John Priest has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Calvino Imbembe.
Imbembe changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Priest tries to avoid it but Imbembe manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Priest to the ground. Priest escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Priest changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Imbembe looks for a takedown but Priest sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Imbembe tries to bum rush Priest with a series of wild strikes but Priest uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Priest half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Imbembe looks winded!
Priest defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Imbembe.
Priest keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Priest tries to counter with a takedown but Imbembe is quick to defend against it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Imbembe misses with a takedown attempt - Priest sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Imbembe misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Priest leaves Imbembe with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Priest changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Imbembe tries for a takedown but Priest sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Priest tries to counter with a takedown but Imbembe is quick to defend against it.
Imbembe dives in for a single leg takedown but Priest sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Priest appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Imbembe is defended easily by Priest.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Priest keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Priest changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Imbembe closes this distance looking for a takedown but Priest circles away.
Imbembe swinging wildly here.
Priest tries to counter with a takedown but Imbembe is quick to defend against it.
Imbembe pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Imbembe shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Priest appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Imbembe shoots for a takedown but Priest saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Priest stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Priest wants it to stay on the feet.
Priest drops down looking for a counter takedown but Imbembe sprawls and moves away.
Imbembe closes this distance looking for a takedown but Priest circles away.
Priest defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Imbembe.
Priest appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imbembe shoots for a takedown but Priest saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Priest drops down looking for a counter takedown but Imbembe sprawls and moves away.
Imbembe shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Priest but Priest pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Priest keeps the fight on the outside.
Imbembe dives in for a single leg takedown but Priest sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Priest changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Imbembe is defended easily by Priest.
Priest changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Imbembe fails to land the takedown.
Priest drops down looking for a counter takedown but Imbembe sprawls and moves away.
Imbembe shoots in but no luck this time.
Priest appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imbembe tries to clinch but Priest is having none of it.
Priest attempts a counter takedown but Imbembe avoids it well and moves away.
Imbembe shoots in and drives through. Priest sprawls well.
Horrible takedown attempt by Imbembe or perhaps it was just good defense by Priest, which made it look bad.
Imbembe fails with the takedown.
Priest half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Imbembe looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Priest feinted with a counter takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Imbembe shoots in but Priest avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Priest half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Imbembe shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Priest pinned against the cage. Priest gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

John Priest dominated that round.
That's time! Priest's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Imbembe throws a looping overhand right but Priest ducks down to avoid it.
Calvino Imbembe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Imbembe pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A punch combination from Imbembe misses.
Priest attempts a counter takedown but Imbembe avoids it well and moves away.
John Priest is winning the standup battle so far.
Imbembe shoots in but Priest avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A combination from Imbembe does no damage.
Calvino Imbembe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Imbembe wants to clinch up but Priest keeps it at a distance.
Priest feinted with a counter takedown.
Imbembe goes for a double leg but Priest avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Priest continues to drive forward.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Priest stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Priest wants it to stay on the feet.
Priest half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
John Priest has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Calvino Imbembe.
Imbembe is breathing heavily.
Imbembe darts in looking for a takedown but Priest gets double underhooks and turns Imbembe into the cage.
Priest changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Priest displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Imbembe.
Priest attempts a counter takedown but Imbembe avoids it well and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Imbembe fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
John Priest is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Imbembe misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Priest half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Priest is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Imbembe can do to turn this around?
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Imbembe is defended easily by Priest.
Priest feinted with a counter takedown.
Priest stuffs the takedown.
Imbembe fails with an attempt to clinch.
Imbembe shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Priest as he avoids it easily.
Priest tries to counter with a takedown but Imbembe is quick to defend against it.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with each other but Imbembe might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Priest has got the better of the exchanges.
Horrible takedown attempt by Imbembe or perhaps it was just good defense by Priest, which made it look bad.
Priest half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imbembe closes the distance and clinches up with Priest, looking for a takedown. Imbembe pushes Priest against the cage but Priest circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Imbembe shoots in for a double leg but Priest sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Imbembe misses with a wild combination.
Priest feinted with a counter takedown.
Priest defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Imbembe.
Imbembe closes the distance and clinches up with Priest, looking for a takedown. Imbembe pushes Priest against the cage but Priest circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Priest leaves Imbembe with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Priest displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Imbembe.
Priest half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Imbembe is defended easily by Priest.
Priest could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Priest slaps away a takedown attempt from Imbembe, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Priest half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Imbembe shoots for a double leg takedown but Priest sprawls well. He's pushed Imbembe's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Priest feinted with a counter takedown.
Imbembe dives in and grabs Priest's left leg, looking for a takedown. Priest pushes down on Imbembe's head and hops out.
Priest changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Imbembe misses with a takedown attempt - Priest sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Priest half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Imbembe gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Priest is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Priest can't break the clinch.
Priest is trying to force a seperation but Imbembe has the dominant position.
Imbembe goes for a takedown attempt but Priest pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Imbembe fails to land the takedown.
Priest tries to counter with a takedown but Imbembe is quick to defend against it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Imbembe throws a series of punches but Priest avoids them all with ease.
Imbembe looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Priest half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

John Priest dominated that second round.
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. This is the final round!

Imbembe tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Priest paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Priest half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Imbembe throws a nice looking combination but Priest bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Priest attempts a counter takedown but Imbembe avoids it well and moves away.
Imbembe tries to close the distance and clinch but Priest swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Priest attempts a counter takedown but Imbembe avoids it well and moves away.
Imbembe shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Priest as he avoids it easily.
A combination from Imbembe does no damage.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Imbembe.
Priest feinted with a counter takedown.
Priest dodges the punch combination from Imbembe.
Priest drops down looking for a counter takedown but Imbembe sprawls and moves away.
Imbembe takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Imbembe looks for a takedown but Priest sprawls well.
Priest attempts a counter takedown but Imbembe avoids it well and moves away.
John Priest has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Calvino Imbembe.
Imbembe shoots in but no luck this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Imbembe fails with a takedown attempt.
Priest half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Imbembe fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Imbembe dives in for a single leg takedown but Priest sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Imbembe tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Priest defends well and Imbembe ends up having to push Priest into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Imbembe looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Imbembe fails with a takedown attempt.
Priest tries to counter with a takedown but Imbembe is quick to defend against it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Imbembe is defended easily by Priest.
Priest feinted with a counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imbembe shoots in looking for a takedown. Priest tries to sprawl out of it but Imbembe keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Priest manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Imbembe shoots for a double leg takedown but Priest sprawls well. He's pushed Imbembe's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Imbembe shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Priest defends it nicely.
Imbembe tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Priest manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imbembe looks to score with a jab to the body but Priest is just out of range.
No luck for Imbembe with that takedown attempt.
Imbembe tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Priest changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Imbembe fails with the takedown.
Priest changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Imbembe shoots in for a takedown but Priest shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Priest drops down looking for a counter takedown but Imbembe sprawls and moves away.
Priest displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Imbembe.
Priest attempts a counter takedown but Imbembe avoids it well and moves away.
Imbembe darts in looking for a takedown but Priest gets double underhooks and turns Imbembe into the cage.
Priest half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Imbembe shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Priest defends it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imbembe fails with the takedown.
Priest appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Imbembe dives in and grabs Priest's left leg, looking for a takedown. Priest pushes down on Imbembe's head and hops out.
Priest tries to counter with a takedown but Imbembe is quick to defend against it.
Priest circles away from the clinch attempt.
Priest tries to counter with a takedown but Imbembe is quick to defend against it.
Imbembe shoots in and drives through. Priest sprawls well.
Imbembe dives in and grabs Priest's left leg, looking for a takedown. Priest pushes down on Imbembe's head and hops out.
Priest drops down looking for a counter takedown but Imbembe sprawls and moves away.
Calvino Imbembe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Imbembe tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Imbembe fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Priest avoids it really well and circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Priest showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Priest, 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Priest!
A victorious John Priest thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.