PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rip James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pete Cherry (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is What's the difference. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

James
vs
Cherry

194 cm
26
266 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

194 cm
25
257 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Grappling Pro Gear

Buzzkill
Buzzkill

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rip James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pete Cherry!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Cherry throws a hook but James blocks it.
Cherry keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
James waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cherry.
Cherry defends well against a solid takedown attempt from James.
James shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cherry moves away from the strike by James.

James feints and as Cherry raises his hands in defense, James changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
James tries to free his leg and advance position but Cherry is retaining full guard.
Cherry looking to hit a scissor sweep but James is one step ahead there.
James postures up.
James won't allow Cherry to sweep him here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as James accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Cherry is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Cherry wants to sweep here but James controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James is looking to work some ground and pound but Cherry has wrist control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
James ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cherry moves away.
James pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The fight stays on the outside here - James looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
James misses with an uppercut.
Jab from James.

It looks like Pete Cherry has been cut.
James swings for the body but Cherry moves out of range.

James drops Cherry with a big left hand and mounts him. Cherry is in big trouble!
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!
Cherry taking shots to the head.
James misses with a head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cherry is working to get back to half guard.
James misses with a head shot.

James jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Cherry is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Cherry and James has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
James sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Cherry is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
James throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
James is trying to ground and pound but Cherry uses the momentary lack of control by James to regain half guard.
Cherry blocking the ground and pound attempt from James.
Cherry is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
James lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
James has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Cherry blocking the ground and pound attempt from James.
James thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cherry's head.
James not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
James is pressing down on Cherry's thigh, looking to free his foot. Cherry is holding on for now.
James with the ground and pound but Cherry uses the opportunity to regain guard.
James throws a big right hand that misses.
James is in close to Cherry's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
James loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cherry can't keep his opponent in guard - James advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
James throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
James missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Cherry tries to get to full guard but James has control of the leg.
Cherry trying to control but James postures up.

James seems to be looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cherry uses good head movement to avoid the hook from James.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rip James dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Pete Cherry's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Cherry ducks under a wild hook from James.
A slow jab from James misses its intended target.
James lands a head shot.
James fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Cherry avoids it really well and circles away.
James throws an overhand right that lands on Cherry's shoulder, as Cherry tries to avoid the shot.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Cherry.
Cherry wants to control but James is keeping him busy.
James tries to get back to half guard but can't.
James is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Cherry's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
James is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cherry is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. James doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Cherry.

Cherry is looking for a kimura here.
James is looking to improve his position.

Cherry seems to be looking for submissions.
Cherry tries to pass to full mount but James defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
James is refusing to be controlled, as Cherry sits in half guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Cherry slips a jab and a cross from James.
A big left from James misses.
James tries for a takedown but Cherry circles away easily
and Cherry cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Good exchange - Cherry coming out on top.
James throws a jab but it's blocked by Cherry.
Cherry ducks under a wild hook from James.
Cherry throws the left hand but James avoids the punch easily.
Cherry uses good head movement to avoid the hook from James.
Rip James seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James misses with an uppercut. Cherry saw that one coming.
James gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Cherry to counter with a crisp jab.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rip James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cherry throws a good cross that connects.
A telegraphed right hand from James misses the target.
James misses with a low kick.
James missing with a left hand there. Cherry was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Cherry slips under a jab from James.
Nice jab there from Cherry.
James is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
James fails with the takedown
and Cherry counters with a straight right hand.
Cherry getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
James closes the distance looking to clinch
and Cherry counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
James takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Cherry counters with a lovely straight right hand!
James missing with a left hand there. Cherry was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
James throws a looping overhand right but Cherry ducks down to avoid it.
Cherry circles away from the clinch attempt

and Cherry counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in James's guard now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cherry sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed James's guard.
James is looking to get back to full guard here but Cherry has managed to pass to side control instead.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Cherry postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. James looks a forlorn figure.
James wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
James can't escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Cherry is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. James knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften James for a finish.

Cherry working for the choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pete Cherry showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Pete Cherry's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

James throws a big shot that misses.
Cherry moves out of range of the strikes.
James misses with a straight right.
A jab from James misses.
A slow jab from James misses its intended target.
James fails with the takedown
and Cherry counters with a lovely straight right hand!
James throws a sloppy body shot
and Cherry counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James swings and misses with a shot to the body
enabling Cherry to counter with a crisp jab.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
James throws a hook to the side of Cherry's head but Cherry sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Cherry bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Cherry taking a breather here.

Cherry tries for a kimura but James is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cherry is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. James knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
James is looking to regain half guard here but Cherry keeps moving and retains side control.
Cherry wants to lay and pray for a moment but James keeps working.
James is looking to regain half guard here but Cherry keeps moving and retains side control.
Cherry wants to control but James is keeping him busy.
Pete Cherry has got the better of the ground game so far.
An elbow from Cherry crashes against the mat.

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.
James tries to improve position but can't.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A shot to de liver by James. Beautiful body shot.
James shoots and misses
enabling Cherry to counter with a crisp jab.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Cherry.
A big right from James misses.
James has his takedown stuffed
and Cherry counters with a lovely shot to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rip James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cherry lands a slapping body shot.
James shoots and misses
letting Cherry counter with a right hand.
James misses with a low kick.
Cherry connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
James does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
James ducks right into an uppercut from Cherry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cherry blocks a jab.
Cherry uses good head movement to avoid the hook from James.
Cherry jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Cherry cracks James with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Cherry looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for James!
Cherry landing strikes, looking to finish!
James is working to get back to half guard.
Cherry looking to control and managing it successfully.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Cherry. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Cherry looking to control but James is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Cherry has control of James's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and James regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Cherry with a couple of short strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Cherry landing strikes from the mount and James is in trouble!
Cherry looking to control but James is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
James working to try and regain half guard.

Cherry is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. James can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Cherry with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cherry trying to control but he's not successful this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pete Cherry comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Cherry has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pete Cherry!