PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Urijah Faber (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Jones II (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Faber
vs
Jones II

168 cm
18
154 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
146 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Urijah Faber!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Matt Jones II!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jones II tries to close the distance and clinch but Faber swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Faber takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Jones II keeps the fight on the outside.
A left lands for Faber.
Jones II tries to clinch but Faber moves away

and Faber counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Faber.
Jones II lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Jones II gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Faber.
Jones II is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Jones II lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Faber trying to control the position but instead, Jones II has worked for underhooks and has pushed Faber into the cage.
Faber wants to get back to striking at distance but Jones II won't allow it.
Faber is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Jones II gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Jones II's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Jones II lands an elbow that stopped Faber in his tracks for a moment.
Faber looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Urijah Faber. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jones II connects with a nasty looking knee right to Faber's face.
Faber is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Jones II gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones II scores with a knee to the head.
Jones II lands an elbow that stopped Faber in his tracks for a moment.
Faber changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Jones II fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Jones II uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Faber.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jones II looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Faber keeps the fight on the outside.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jones II looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Faber shoots in for a takedown but Jones II shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Jones II tries to clinch but Faber moves away

and Faber holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Jones II with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Jones II throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Faber blocks it with crossed arms.
Jones II prevents a takedown attempt there.
Faber is breathing heavily.
Jones II connects with a nasty looking knee right to Faber's face.
Faber takes a knee right on the jaw!
Jones II with a knee to the head.
Faber takes an elbow to the temple.
Jones II with a knee to the head.
Jones II scores with a knee to the head.
Faber being controlled against the cage.
Jones II continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Jones II prevents a takedown attempt there.
Faber drops down looking for an ankle pick but Jones II pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones II wants to clinch up but Faber keeps it at a distance.
Jones II is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jones II doesn't manage to clinch there - Faber circles away.
Jones II is looking to land body kicks.
Faber keeps the fight on the outside.
Jones II tries to clinch up.

That's four 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.
Jones II wants to clinch up but Faber keeps it at a distance.
Jones II tries to clinch up

and Faber counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Faber.
Faber takes an elbow to the temple.
Faber is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Faber takes an elbow to the forehead.
Jones II creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Faber's defenses.
Jones II using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Faber has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Jones II lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Jones II lands a damaging elbow.
Jones II lands a knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Jones II dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Jones II tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Faber paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Jones II.
Jones II closes the distance but Faber moves to the side
and Faber counters with a body kick.
Faber shoots in but Jones II avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Jones II with a poor takedown

and Faber moves into the clinch.
Jones II lands an elbow just above Faber 's eye.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Faber has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Jones II is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Jones II is pressed up against the cage. Faber has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Jones II down to the mat. Jones II avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Urijah Faber. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jones II tries to clinch
and Faber counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Jones II fails with the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones II is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Faber wants to clinch

and Jones II counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Jones II.
Jones II lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Jones II scores with a knee to the head.
Faber tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Jones II avoids it.
Jones II with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Jones II prevents a takedown attempt there.
Jones II with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Jones II with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Faber as Jones II tries to tie him up.
Jones II gets underhooks to prevent Faber's takedown attempt.

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.
Faber is trying to drag Jones II to the mat but Jones II just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Jones II with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Jones II is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Faber missing with knees to the body.
Jones II connects with a nasty looking knee right to Faber's face.
Jones II pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Jones II is pressed up against the cage. Faber has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Jones II down to the mat. Jones II avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Jones II has closed the distance and engaged Faber in a clinch.

Faber has Jones II pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Faber pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Jones II tumbling to the mat - Faber dives into Jones II's guard.
Jones II wants to stand but Faber is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Faber content to stall in guard here.
Faber cracks Jones II with a solid left hand.
Faber trying to control but Jones II is working from the bottom.
Jones II is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Jones II can do anything to dispel that myth.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Faber clinches up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Jones II lands a good knee to the midsection. Faber won't want to take too many of those.
Faber looking for a takedown.
Faber creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Faber takes an elbow to the forehead.
Jones II crunches a lovely knee into Faber's ribcage.
Jones II will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Faber up against the cage.
Faber is trying to drag Jones II to the mat but Jones II just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Knees in the clinch landing for Jones II.
Jones II gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Jones II misses with a knee to the head.
Faber looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Faber throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Jones II dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Urijah Faber will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Faber looks to clinch

and Jones II moves into the clinch.
Jones II scores with a knee to the head.
Jones II lands a knee to the head.
Jones II scores with a knee to the head.
Faber wants a takedown but no success here.
Faber takes an elbow to the temple.
Jones II tries a knee to the head but Faber blocks it.
Faber is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Faber is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Jones II pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Jones II lands a knee to the head.
Faber makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones II lands an elbow that stopped Faber in his tracks for a moment.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Faber lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Jones II is trying to stand up here but Faber is controlling him well.
Faber is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Jones II reverses the position - he's now on top in Faber's guard.
Faber wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jones II gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Faber tries to clinch up.
Faber stuffs the takedown.
Faber fails with the takedown

and Jones II counters by clinching up.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Urijah Faber. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jones II lands a damaging elbow.
Jones II gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Faber is working for takedown but Jones II is calmly controlling the position for now.
Faber takes a knee right on the jaw!
Jones II using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Faber has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Jones II using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Faber has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Jones II with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Jones II lands a knee to the head.
Faber takes a knee right on the jaw!
Faber slows down the pace here.
Faber looking for a takedown.
Jones II managing to block the knees to the body from Faber.
Faber tries for a takedown. No joy.
Knees to the body from Jones II.
Jones II lands an elbow inside.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Jones II obliges.
Jones II scores with a knee to the head.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Jones II.
Jones II with a knee to the head.
Faber has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Jones II avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Jones II lands a knee to the head.
Faber tries for a takedown but Jones II manages to get underhooks.
Jones II using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Faber has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Jones II connects with a nasty looking knee right to Faber's face.
Jones II tries a knee to the head but Faber blocks it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Jones II misses with a knee to the head.
Jones II throws a knee to the head but misses.
Jones II stops a takedown attempt from Faber.
Faber is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Jones II with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Jones II unloads a knee to the mid-section. Faber lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Jones II connects with a nasty looking knee right to Faber's face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Jones II is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Faber is keeping busy.
Faber has Jones II pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Jones II manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Jones II with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Jones II misses with a knee to the head.
Jones II tries to land a knee to the head but Faber blocks with his arms.
Jones II misses with a knee strike.
Jones II with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Faber misses with the head strike.
Jones II landing knees to the head.
Faber takes a knee right on the jaw!
Faber has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Jones II avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Faber wants a takedown.
Jones II is looking to control Faber's arms but Faber gets an underhook and turns him. Now Jones II has his back to the cage.
Jones II pressing his opponent against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nice elbow from Jones II.
Jones II with a knee to the head.
Faber trying to land knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Jones II comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Jones II has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Jones II!