PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jesse James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tyeson Ledbetter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ledbetter has chosen Hero by Sevendust as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

James
vs
Ledbetter

170 cm
23
155 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

175 cm
20
157 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

THE STEEL PENN NUTRITION

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jesse James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tyeson Ledbetter!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, John Roberts and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ledbetter closes the distance and pushes James back into the cage.
James can't break the clinch.
Ledbetter managing to block the knees to the body from James.
James is trying to force a seperation but Ledbetter has the dominant position.
James can't find room to land a body shot as Ledbetter controls the action.

James breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
James misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ledbetter blocks a head kick by James.
James throws a series of punches but Ledbetter moves out of range.
Jesse James seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ledbetter is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in James's half guard.
James is trying to stand.
It looks like Ledbetter is going to stand back up.
Ledbetter looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
James is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ledbetter is looking for a kimura but James is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ledbetter to get the leverage.
James is trying to stand up here but Ledbetter is controlling him well.
James is breathing heavily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
James defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ledbetter.

Ledbetter looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Ledbetter's corner is telling him to maintain position.

James pushes Ledbetter off and scrambles back to his feet.
A head kick misses from James.
Ledbetter lands a head kick. James smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
James bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ledbetter's head backwards.
Ledbetter tries to clinch but James is having none of it.
James misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ledbetter closes the distance and clinches up with James, looking for a takedown. Ledbetter pushes James against the cage but James circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ledbetter is trying hard to land a takedown here. James sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Jesse James has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tyeson Ledbetter.
James tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
James swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
James throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ledbetter.
James avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ledbetter.
A head kick by James misses
and Ledbetter counters with a low kick, right behind James 's knee.
Ledbetter blocks a head kick by James.
James throws a head kick that misses
and Ledbetter counters with a nice low kick that buckles James's knee momentarily.
Ledbetter shoots in for a double leg but James sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ledbetter pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
James throws a body kick that misses.
Ledbetter's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Ledbetter duly obliges.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ledbetter throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Ledbetter.
Ledbetter throws a combination but it was largely blocked by James.
No luck for Ledbetter with that takedown attempt.
James throws a right and a left that Ledbetter avoids nicely.
A head kick by James misses

and Ledbetter counters with a takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
James wants to get back to his feet but Ledbetter drags him back down.
James is not content to let Ledbetter control the position.

James bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
James throws a series of punches but Ledbetter avoids them all with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ledbetter rushes James and presses him up against the cage.
James looking to throw knees to the head but Ledbetter is blocking nicely.

Ledbetter manages to pull guard.
Ledbetter manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. James manages to get himself to full guard.
James is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Ledbetter is standing up over James. James looks to escape but Ledbetter dives into side control.
Ledbetter controlling from side mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

James throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
James pulls out of a head kick attempt.
James throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
James lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Ledbetter backs up against the cage.
Ledbetter displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as James throws out the jab.
James throws a body kick the misses
and Ledbetter counters with a stiff right hand.
James throws a head kick but Ledbetter moves out of range.
Ledbetter dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on James. That did some damage!
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Ledbetter. James shrugs it off though.
A good leg kick by Ledbetter.
Ledbetter fails with a takedown attempt.
James throws a combination that misses
and Ledbetter counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps James thinking.

Ledbetter drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
James keeping moving, preventing Ledbetter from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ledbetter might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control James kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James wants to stand up but Ledbetter is controlling him.
Ledbetter passes James's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Ledbetter stands up and beckons James to join him on the feet.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Ledbetter.
Horrible takedown by Ledbetter or perhaps it was just good defense by James which made him look bad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James lands with a kick to the temple. Ledbetter shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Nice takedown defense from James. No joy for Ledbetter on that attempt.
Jesse James has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tyeson Ledbetter.
James goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
James throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
James throws a body punch but Ledbetter moves out of range.
Ledbetter shoots in but James avoids the takedown attempt easily.
James connects with a looping right hand.
James looks to land a right hand but Ledbetter moved out of range.
James misses with a double jab.
Ledbetter shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has James pinned against the cage. James gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
James moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ledbetter shoots in for a takedown but James shows good takedown defense.
James throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A combination from James does no damage.
Ledbetter tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but James swivels and escapes.
Nice jab there from James.

Ledbetter drives through with a takedown into guard.
James wants to stand but Ledbetter is controlling the position.

James manages to escape and get back to his feet.
James plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
James on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ledbetter. Ledbetter obviously looking to wear him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James tries a head kick but it misses.
Ledbetter scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Jesse James is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ledbetter throws a sloppy head kick and James moves out of range easily.
Ledbetter turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
James throws a sloppy head kick and Ledbetter moves out of range easily.
Some wild striking there from Ledbetter.
James avoids the head kick by Ledbetter.
James goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
James leaves Ledbetter with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
James throws a sloppy head kick
and Ledbetter counters with a low kick, right behind James 's knee.
Ledbetter throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ledbetter avoids the head kick by James.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyeson Ledbetter showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Ledbetter cracks the inside of James's front leg.
James thumps Ledbetter with a low kick.
James is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
James throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
James misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ledbetter misses with a leg kick
and James counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ledbetter thinking.
Ledbetter doesn't succeed with the takedown
and James counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Ledbetter throws a sloppy head kick and James moves out of range easily.
Ledbetter uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from James.
Ledbetter tries to clinch but James moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James throws a left and a right that both miss

and Ledbetter counters with a nice double leg into guard.
James is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Ledbetter passes James's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James won't allow Ledbetter to pass to mount.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
James is trying to stand back up but Ledbetter is controlling him
Ledbetter lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
James scoring well with a low kick there.
Tyeson Ledbetter seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Ledbetter looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for James!
James is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Jesse James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ledbetter takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
James is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
James trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ledbetter looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
James is trying to stand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ledbetter trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Ledbetter controlling the position easily from mount.
James is trying to stand.
Ledbetter fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

Ledbetter looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
James is trying to stand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ledbetter trying to control but James is having none of it.
Tyeson Ledbetter is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tyeson Ledbetter comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ledbetter 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tyeson Ledbetter!