PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between James Dalton (ranked 3979 p4p, 5006 weight class) and Tanjiro Namikaze (ranked 320 p4p, 356 weight class). Tanjiro Namikaze 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!

Dalton
vs
Namikaze

175 cm
19
144
2 - 1 - 0

172 cm
21
145
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Experienced

Bondi MMA ðŸï¸

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, James Dalton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tanjiro Namikaze!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dalton throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Namikaze on the side of the head.
A lazy left from Dalton finds it's target.
Dalton definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Dalton wants to clinch up but Namikaze keeps it at a distance.
Dalton ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Namikaze moves away.
James Dalton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dalton rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Namikaze moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dalton fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Namikaze manages to avoid it.
Namikaze feints the counter takedown.
Dalton fails with an attempt to clinch.
And Namikaze tries to counter it with a takedown but Dalton pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Dalton stuffs the takedown attempt from Namikaze. Namikaze gets slowly back to his feet.
Dalton scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Namikaze doesn't seem bothered though.
Nice body punch from Dalton.
Namikaze moves out of range of the strikes.
A lazy left from Dalton finds it's target.
Dalton slaps away a takedown attempt from Namikaze, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Dalton goes for a takedown in the clinch but Namikaze prevents it.
Dalton throws an elbow that misses.
Namikaze avoids the elbow strike from Dalton, against the cage.
Namikaze drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
James Dalton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tanjiro Namikaze.

Dalton ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Dalton no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Namikaze with a flurry of punches that miss.

Namikaze avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Dalton trying to keep a closed guard but Namikaze is proving a slippery customer.
Namikaze must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Namikaze accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dalton escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Namikaze gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Namikaze working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Namikaze is working Dalton over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Dalton keeping moving, preventing Namikaze from controlling successfully.
Namikaze wants to pass the guard but Dalton is keeping the position.
Namikaze lands a couple of digs.
Namikaze stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dalton swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Dalton is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dalton looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Namikaze postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Dalton working for a triangle but Namikaze defends it easily.

Dalton looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Namikaze avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Namikaze is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Dalton has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Namikaze is looking to defend but Dalton has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Namikaze! Dalton pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Namikaze taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). James Dalton!
An out of breath James Dalton thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.