PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jake Bird (ranked 333 p4p, 354 weight class) and Slugger Dunes (ranked 44 p4p, 48 weight class). Dunes has chosen The World's Greatest as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bird
vs
Dunes

170 cm
29
195
17 - 10 - 0

180 cm
28
190
12 - 3 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conviction

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 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jake Bird!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Slugger Dunes!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taro Takaoka and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dunes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bird manages to avoid it.
Bird checks a low kick from Dunes.
Bird avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
As Dunes tries to get set, Bird tries to push him back and clinch up but Dunes manages to avoid the attempt.
Dunes misses with a leg kick

and Bird counters with a shoot takedown. Dunes fights it but they end up in guard.
Dunes wants to stand and escape but Bird is having none of it.
Bird wants to control from the top but Dunes keeps moving.

Dunes is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Bird presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
A shot in the inside from Bird.
Dunes fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dunes lands a body punch in the clinch.
Bird blocks a body shot from Dunes.
Dunes misses with some punches.
Dunes has a couple of punches blocked by Bird.
Dunes tries to throw a body punch but Bird avoids it by throwing Dunes back against the cage.
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!
Dunes lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bird backwards.
Bird blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bird lands with a light punch inside.
Dunes tries to throw a body punch but Bird avoids it by throwing Dunes back against the cage.

Bird's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Dunes with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dunes with a nice calf kick.
Dunes throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Bird half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Jab, jab by Dunes - just one landing.

Bird gets a takedown into half guard.
Dunes is trying to stand.
Dunes scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Bird manages to mount him!
Dunes is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Bird has taken his back!
Dunes wants to get back to his feet.

Dunes fending off the submission attempt from Bird.
Dunes is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Dunes told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A bit of a pause in the action here. Bird controlling the positon.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Dunes is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Dunes is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Bird gets his way!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bird is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Dunes has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Dunes trying to get back to his feet but Bird is in full control for now.

Bird looking for the choke but no joy.
Dunes is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Bird has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Dunes is trying to stand back up.

Bird working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dunes trying to get back to his feet but Bird is in full control for now.

Bird looking to break Dunes's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Dunes remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Bird will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Dunes wants to get back to his feet.

Dunes is trying escape back to his feet. He turns into his opponent's guard and eventually finds his way back to his feet.
Dunes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bird.
Dunes misses with a looping right.
Bird slips under a jab.
Bird takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bird blocks a leg kick.
Dunes thows a leg kick but Bird checks it

and Bird counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Dunes is trying to escape back to his feet but Bird uses the scramble to pass into side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Bird dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bird tries to clinch up but Dunes circles away and keeps his distance.
Dunes swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Bird counters with a shoot takedown. Dunes fights it but they end up in guard.
Dunes wants to get back to his feet but Bird is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Dunes wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Bird manages to pass to side control.
Bird is figuring out what he wants to do next.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dunes is trying to stand back up but Bird is controlling him
Bird controlling the pace.
Bird prevents Dunes from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird is looking to take a break and control but Dunes is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bird trying to pass the guard but Dunes defending well.

Bird wants to work for an arm triangle but Dunes is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Dunes wants to get back to his feet.
Bird content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Bird seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Dunes does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Bird is looking for a kimura here.
Dunes wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Bird with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Dunes to score with a decent uppercut.
Dunes looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Bird feinted with a counter takedown.
Bird checks a low kick from Dunes.
Bird drops down looking for a counter takedown but Dunes sprawls and moves away.
Bird will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Bird looks for a takedown but Dunes sprawls well.
Dunes throws an off balance right hand

and Bird decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Dunes's guard.
Jake Bird overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bird trying to control the position from guard on top but Dunes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bird stops Dunes from standing up.
Bird wants to control from the top but Dunes keeps moving.

Dunes has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Bird off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Bird blocks the low kick.
Good exchange - Bird coming out on top.
Bird uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dunes.
Dunes thows a leg kick but Bird checks it

and Bird counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Dunes manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Dunes throws a body punch but Bird moves out of range.
Dunes lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Bird shoots for a takedown but Dunes saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Bird. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A slapping leg kick lands for Dunes.
Dunes throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Dunes buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Dunes.
Dunes looks to land a left hand but Bird moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dunes jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bird appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Dunes throws a hook but Bird blocks it.
Dunes avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dunes dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Dunes dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bird. That did some damage!
Dunes missing with a left hand there. Bird was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Dunes just misses with a punch to the body.
Bird moves out of range as Dunes strikes.
Dunes throws a body punch but Bird moves out of range.
Dunes with a jab.
Dunes misses the jab.
Dunes scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Dunes looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Slugger Dunes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Bird throws a series of strikes that have Dunes backpedaling.
That kick from Dunes tenderised Bird's leg. Bird is trying to keep his angry face on.
Dunes rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Bird counters with a straight right hand.
Bird shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Dunes pinned against the cage. Dunes gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Slugger Dunes seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dunes misses with an uppercut.
An inside leg kick lands from Dunes.
Bird lands a jab to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dunes throws a leg kick but Bird sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Bird drops down looking for a counter takedown but Dunes sprawls and moves away.
Dunes looks to throw the jab but Bird is out of range.
Bird shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dunes misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird closes this distance looking for a takedown but Dunes circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Bird. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dunes misses with a low kick.
Slugger Dunes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A low kick from Dunes is predictable there

and Bird counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Dunes!

Dunes sneaks out the side door and pushes Bird away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
A slapping leg kick lands for Dunes.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Dunes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bird uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dunes.
Bird half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Dunes connects with a crisp jab.
Bird shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dunes as he jumps to the side.
Dunes throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bird tries to counter by clinching up but Dunes breaks away and moves out of range.
Bird uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Dunes.
Good leg kick by Dunes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dunes throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Dunes misses with a hook

and Bird counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Dunes is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Bird dives into side control.

Bird has an Americana. Dunes didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Bird is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Bird hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:34 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Jake Bird!
Jake Bird decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.