PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wolfgang Messer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jim Jakes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wolfgang Messer had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Messer
vs
Jakes

190 cm
20
255 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

180 cm
18
235 lbs
1 - 2 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Improved boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Likes ground

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Wolfgang Messer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, Jim Jakes!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Dean Styles and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Messer misses with a head kick.
Jakes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Messer throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Messer throws a head kick but Jakes moves out of range.
Jakes avoids a kick to the body.
Messer throws a nice looking combination but Jakes bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Messer could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Jakes tries for a takedown but Messer manages to get underhooks.
Messer tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jakes just stands there and leans against the cage.
Messer lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Jakes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Jakes clinches up with Messer and pushes him back against the cage.
Messer drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Messer wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wolfgang Messer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jakes can't get the takedown.
Jakes looking for a takedown.
Jakes has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Messer is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Come on Messer - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Messer prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Messer.
Jakes tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Jakes crunches a lovely knee into Messer's ribcage.
Messer wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Messer wants to break free but Jakes has control.
Jakes is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Jakes tries to pull guard but Messer holds him up against the cage and eventually Jakes drops back down to his feet.
Messer tries to break the clinch but Jakes is controlling the position.

Messer has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Jakes uses from the top position.
Jakes tries to stand but Messer is controlling from the bottom.
Jakes looks gassed!
Messer is looking to stand up but Jakes isn't so interested in that idea.
Messer utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Messer had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Jakes is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Messer Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Jakes's back instead.

Jakes is looking to stand back up. He's having to work hard to escape but eventually he manages it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messer moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Jakes avoids the head kick by Messer.
Messer pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Messer throws a series of punches but Jakes avoids them all with ease.
Messer tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Jakes decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Messer's guard.
Messer avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Jakes postures up in Messer's guard and throws a big left but Messer blocks it.
Messer keeping moving, preventing Jakes from controlling successfully.
Messer wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jakes loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Jakes prevents Messer from getting back to his feet.
Jakes trying to control the position from guard on top but Messer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Messer wants to get back to his feet but Jakes is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Jakes throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messer swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Messer forces Jakes back against the cage and clinches.
Messer drops down looking for an ankle pick but Jakes pulls his leg out and moves away.
Messer tries for a takedown but Jakes circles away easily

and Jakes counters with a shoot takedown. Messer fights it but they end up in guard.
Messer pulls Jakes in close to prevent any damage.
Jakes loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Messer pulls Jakes in close to his closed guard and prevents Jakes from doing any damage or advancing position.
Messer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jakes is one step ahead there.
Jakes looking to sit in guard and control but Messer gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Jakes doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messer stopping the sweep attempt from Jakes.
Jakes throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Messer trying to control but Jakes is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Jakes takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jakes.
Jakes tries to clinch but Messer is having none of it.
Messer fails in his attempt to clinch.
Messer shoots and misses
and Jakes counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Messer throws a sloppy head kick

and Jakes counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Messer is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jakes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Messer is keeping the position for now.
Jakes trying to control but Messer is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Jakes dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Messer misses with a few strikes there.
Jakes has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Jakes fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Messer sprawls well initially but Jakes persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Messer wants to control but Jakes is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Jakes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Messer keeps working.
Jakes throwing shots but Messer is blocking nicely.

Messer has one foot on Jakes's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Messer with a lazy takedown attempt

and Jakes counters with a takedown into side control.
Messer manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Messer is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Jakes pulls his head out easily.
Messer wants to sweep but Jakes has passed to side control!
Messer struggling a bit here.
Jakes is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messer pushes Jakes away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Jakes gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Messer tries to buck Jakes off but Jakes is having none of it.
Messer is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Jakes avoids the strikes from the bottom by Messer.
Messer can't do much from the bottom here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Jakes swats away the attempt to clinch by Messer.
Wolfgang Messer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Messer misses with a jab, cross combination.
Messer throws a combination that misses
and Jakes counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Messer keeps the fight on the outside.
Messer lands a really nice looking cross but Jakes seems unphased.
Jakes looks for a takedown but Messer sprawls well.
Messer scores with a crisp jab that stopped Jakes in his tracks.
Messer tries to clinch but Jakes moves out of range.
Jakes tries to clinch there but Messer circles away.

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.
Jakes shoots in but Messer avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Jakes closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Messer regains half guard there - taking advantage of Jakes's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Messer is trying to control but Jakes passes into side control!
Messer is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Messer sneaks back into half guard.
Messer is refusing to be controlled, as Jakes sits in half guard.
Messer wants to get back to his feet.
Jakes has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jakes is looking for a kimura but Messer is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Jakes to get the leverage.
Messer wants to get back to full guard.
Messer is trying to maintain the position but Jakes is very close to passing his half guard.
Jakes is pressing down on Messer's thigh, looking to free his foot. Messer is holding on for now.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Messer misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Jakes misses with a body kick.
Jakes shoots in for a takedown but Messer shows good takedown defense.
Wolfgang Messer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jim Jakes.
Messer throws a sloppy head kick

and Jakes counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Jakes lands an elbow inside that Messer shrugs off.
Jakes wants a takedown but no success here.
Jakes holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Jakes tries to score a body lock takedown but Messer shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Jakes drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Messer gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Come on Jakes - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messer has had enough of the clinch but Jakes keeps him there for the moment.
Messer wants to break free but Jakes has control.

Jakes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jakes moves in looking to clinch but Messer pushes him off.
Messer moves out of range of the body kick from Jakes.
Jakes shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Messer as he jumps to the side.

Messer gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Messer has had enough of the clinch but Jakes keeps him there for the moment.
Messer can't break the clinch.
Messer scores with a nice hook to the head.
Messer tries to break the clinch but Jakes is controlling the position.
Messer is trying to break free.

Jakes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Messer cracks Jakes with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Jakes avoids the head kick by Messer.
Jakes slips a jab and a cross from Messer.
Messer swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Jakes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Messer with a lazy takedown attempt

and Jakes counters with a nice double leg into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Jakes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jakes.
Messer tries to clinch up.
Wolfgang Messer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Messer throws a low kick but it's checked well by Jakes.
Messer throws a one two combo.
Messer throws a combination. Jakes tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
A head kick misses from Messer.
Messer swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Jakes counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Messer's guard now.
Jakes stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Messer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Messer pulls Jakes in to control the position.
Messer wants to stand but Jakes is controlling the position.
Jakes tries to stand but Messer is controlling from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jakes postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Jakes stopping the sweep attempt from Messer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messer wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Jakes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Messer tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Jakes counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Messer!
Messer manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Jakes is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Messer has managed to free his arm - good work.
Jakes throwing shots but Messer is blocking nicely.
Jakes trying to mount his opponent but Messer defends it.

Jakes stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Messer rushes Jakes and presses him up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messer goes for a takedown attempt but Jakes pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Some wild striking there from Messer.
Messer moves in looking to clinch but Jakes pushes him off.
Messer tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jakes paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nice sprawl there from Jakes as Messer shoots in.
Jakes moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Messer keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Messer smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Messer lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Messer tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Jakes counters with a body kick.
Messer throws a sloppy head kick and Jakes moves out of range easily.
Jakes misses with a takedown attempt - Messer sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Wolfgang Messer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jim Jakes.
Jakes tries for a takedown but Messer sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Messer does no damage.

Messer gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A short uppercut from Messer.
Messer wants to get back to striking at distance but Jakes won't allow it.
Jakes jumps guard but Messer stands there with Jakes around his waist. Jakes gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Messer wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A body shot lands from Jakes.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Jakes tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Messer smiles and moves away.
Messer moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Jakes blocks a head kick by Messer.
Jakes tries to clinch there but Messer circles away.
Jakes throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jakes shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Messer lands with a nice combination. Jakes backs away looking to recover.
Messer tries to bum rush Jakes with a series of wild strikes but Jakes uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Jakes clinches with his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jakes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jakes throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Messer tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Jakes counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Jakes.

Jakes manages to pull guard.
Messer stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Jakes swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Jakes has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Messer off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Jakes closes this distance looking for a takedown but Messer circles away.

Messer gets caught flat footed, as Jakes shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Messer wriggles free and stands up.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Messer scores with a punch to the head.
Messer throws a right and a left that Jakes avoids nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Messer tries to close the distance and clinch but Jakes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nice sprawl there from Jakes as Messer shoots in.

Jakes changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Messer looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Wolfgang Messer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jakes throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Jakes trying to control the action but Messer is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jim Jakes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Jakes winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jim Jakes!