PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tony Bamboni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jake Fire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bamboni comes to the cage accompanied by Ice Ice Baby. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bamboni
vs
Fire

167 cm
23
145 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

169 cm
24
146 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Good elbows
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tony Bamboni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Jake Fire!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Alyssa Summers and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fire fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bamboni, pushing him back against the cage.
Bamboni misses with an elbow over the top.
Nice elbow from Bamboni.
Bamboni pushes off an throws an elbow but Fire leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Fire misses with a hook from the clinch.
Fire is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Fire throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bamboni blocks it with crossed arms.
Fire dodges an elbow strike from Bamboni.
Fire slows down the pace here.
A short right from Fire on the inside.
Fire blocks an elbow strike from Bamboni.
Bamboni throws an elbow but it misses.
Bamboni pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Fire swings wildly with an uppercut but Bamboni uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bamboni is pressed up against the cage. Fire has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Bamboni down to the mat. Bamboni avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Bamboni looks to clinch
and Fire counters with a three punch combo that has Bamboni backing up. Bamboni nods at Fire to acknowledge the strikes.
Bamboni tries to clinch but Fire moves away

and Fire counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Fire.
Fire scores with a shoulder strike.
Fire throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bambonis head.
Fire'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.
Bamboni misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fire.
Bamboni using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Fire has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Bamboni lands a nice elbow.
Bamboni with a knee to the head.
Bamboni misses with an elbow strike.
Bamboni tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fire avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Fire.
Fire dodges an elbow strike from Bamboni.
Bamboni blocks an elbow strike from Fire.
Bamboni lands an elbow inside that Fire shrugs off.
A short right from Fire on the inside.
Bamboni pushes off an throws an elbow but Fire leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Fire scores with a nice hook to the head.
Fire changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Bamboni fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Bamboni wants to clinch
and Fire counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tony Bamboni seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bamboni keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Tony Bamboni has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Fire.
Bamboni wants to clinch

and Fire moves into the clinch.
Fire can't get the takedown.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Bamboni keeps control of Fire as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Fire looks gassed!
Fire blocks an elbow strike from Bamboni.
Fire misses with an elbow over the top.
Bamboni blocks an elbow strike.
Fire has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Bamboni is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Bamboni looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Bamboni misses with an elbow over the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fire avoids a wild elbow strike from Bamboni.
Bamboni lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Bamboni throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Fire tries to score a body lock takedown but Bamboni shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Fire.
Bamboni looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Fire is trying to break free.
Bamboni misses with an elbow strike.
Bamboni lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Bamboni dodges an elbow strike from Fire.
Fire drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fire blocks an elbow strike.
Bamboni throws an elbow that misses.
Bamboni creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Fire swings wildly with an uppercut but Bamboni uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fire takes an elbow to the temple.
Fire stalling.
Bamboni comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nice elbow from Bamboni.
Bamboni looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Bamboni lands a nice elbow.
Fire takes an elbow to the forehead.
Bamboni misses with an elbow strike.
Fire avoids a wild elbow strike from Bamboni.
Fire avoids the elbow strike from Bamboni, against the cage.
Bamboni lands an elbow inside that Fire shrugs off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bamboni looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Bamboni gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Bamboni looking to throw knees to the head but Fire is blocking nicely.
Bamboni misses with an elbow over the top.
Bamboni throws an elbow that misses.
Bamboni dodges an elbow strike from Fire.
Fire avoids a wild elbow strike from Bamboni.
Fire goes for a takedown in the clinch but Bamboni prevents it.
Nice elbow from Bamboni.
Fire takes an elbow to the forehead.
Fire avoids the elbow strike from Bamboni, against the cage.
Fire has a couple of punches blocked by Bamboni.
Bamboni with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Bamboni connects with a nasty looking knee right to Fire's face.
Fire blocks the elbow strike.
Fire looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Bamboni misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fire.
Fire using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bamboni has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Bamboni just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fire's brow.
Nice elbow from Bamboni.
Bamboni scores with a knee to the head.
Bamboni blocking some punches.
Bamboni creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nice body punch from Fire.
Bamboni throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Bamboni throws an elbow but it misses.
Fire tries for a takedown but Bamboni manages to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bamboni throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Fire takes an elbow to the temple.
Fire blocks an elbow strike from Bamboni.
Fire misses with a punch on the inside.
Bamboni misses with an elbow over the top.
Bamboni gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Fire.
Fire takes an elbow to the temple.
Bamboni throws an elbow but it misses.
Fire wants to stall.
Bamboni using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Bamboni creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Fire's defenses.
Bamboni lands a nice elbow.
Bamboni misses with an elbow strike.
Bamboni blocking some punches.
Fire avoiding damage as Bamboni throws knees to the body.
Bamboni throws an elbow that misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Fire just misses with a elbow thrown towards Bamboni's brow.
Fire blocks the elbow strike.
Bamboni scores with a knee to the head.
Fire blocks the elbow strike.
Fire throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Bamboni tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bamboni tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fire avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tony Bamboni will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bamboni closes the distance but Fire moves to the side

and Fire moves into the clinch.
Fire creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Fire takes an elbow to the temple.
Bamboni pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Fire throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Fire throws a head punch that misses.
Fire lands a shoulder strike.
Bamboni lands an elbow inside.
Bamboni is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fire is defending well for now.
Bamboni tries to land a knee to the head but Fire blocks with his arms.
Bamboni with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Fire throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Fire can't break the clinch.
Fire lands an elbow that stopped Bamboni in his tracks for a moment.
Fire wants a takedown.
Fire can't get the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fire lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Fire avoids the elbow strike from Bamboni, against the cage.
A knee to the head by Bamboni.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fire working aggressively here.
Bamboni misses with an elbow strike.
Fire blocks an elbow strike from Bamboni.
Bamboni lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Fire throws an elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bamboni blocking some punches.
Bamboni creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Fire's defenses.
Fire trying to stall but Bamboni improves his position.
Fire managing to block the knees to the body from Bamboni.
Bamboni looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Fire lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Bamboni lands a damaging elbow.
Fire lands with a right to the head.
Fire lands an elbow inside that Bamboni shrugs off.
Bamboni throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Fire doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bamboni blocks an elbow strike.
A short right from Fire on the inside.
Fire throws an elbow but it misses.
Fire lands a nice uppercut.
Bamboni looking to throw knees to the head but Fire is blocking nicely.
Bamboni unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Bamboni throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Bamboni takes an elbow to the temple.
Fire taking a breather.
Bamboni creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Fire's defenses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Bamboni throws an elbow but misses.
Fire lands with a right to the head.
Fire lands a shoulder strike.
Bamboni lands a nice elbow.
Bamboni throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Fire wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Fire throws a head punch that misses.
Fire is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Tony Bamboni has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Fire.
Bamboni tries to land a knee to the head but Fire blocks with his arms.
Fire wants a takedown.
Bamboni looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Bamboni lands a nice elbow.
Bamboni lands a nice elbow.
A short left from Fire.
Bamboni connects with a nasty looking knee right to Fire's face.
Fire has had enough of the clinch but Bamboni keeps him there for the moment.
Bamboni misses with an elbow strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Bamboni just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fire's brow.
Fire lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fire avoids the elbow strike from Bamboni, against the cage.
Fire scores with a shoulder strike.
Bamboni tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Fire drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Bamboni gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Fire avoids a wild elbow strike from Bamboni.
Bamboni takes a shot to the head.
Bamboni throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Fire has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bamboni avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Bamboni putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Fire in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Bamboni misses with an elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fire takes an elbow to the forehead.
Bamboni avoids the elbow strike from Fire, against the cage.
Fire blocks an elbow strike.
Bamboni looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Bamboni blocks an elbow strike from Fire.
Fire throws an elbow that misses.
Fire avoids a wild elbow strike from Bamboni.
Fire misses with some punches.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Bamboni just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fire's brow.
Fire lands with a left to the head.
Bamboni scores with a knee to the head.
Fire slowing the pace effectively.
Bamboni dodges an elbow strike from Fire.
Fire tries for a takedown but Bamboni manages to get underhooks.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Bamboni just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fire's brow.
Bamboni creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Fire's defenses.
Fire avoids a wild elbow strike from Bamboni.
Bamboni misses with a knee strike.
A shot in the inside from Fire.
Bamboni stops a takedown attempt from Fire.
Bamboni blocks an elbow strike.
Bamboni lands an elbow just above Fire 's eye.
Bamboni lands a damaging elbow.
Bamboni misses with an elbow over the top.
Fire lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Fire tries to break the clinch but Bamboni is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Fire avoiding damage as Bamboni throws knees to the body.
Fire blocks an elbow strike.
Fire lands with a right to the head.
Fire avoids the elbow strike from Bamboni, against the cage.
Fire drops down looking for an ankle pick but Bamboni pulls his leg out and moves away.
Bamboni looks to clinch
and Fire counters with a straight right hand.
Fire avoids the head kick by Bamboni.
Bamboni tries to clinch

and Fire counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Fire blocks an elbow strike from Bamboni.
Fire misses with an elbow over the top.
Bamboni with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Bamboni throws an elbow but it misses.
Fire lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bamboni backwards.
A nice left hand lands by Fire.
Fire looking to throw knees to the head but Bamboni is blocking nicely.
Fire managing to block the knees to the body from Bamboni.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bamboni misses with a knee to the head.
Still in the clinch, Fire scores with a nice short uppercut.
Bamboni lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A short left from Fire.
Bamboni tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
The referee is keeping an eye on Fire - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Bamboni dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Bamboni darts in trying to clinch

and Fire decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Bamboni's guard.
Fire wants to pass the guard but Bamboni is keeping the position.
Fire wants to control from the top but Bamboni keeps moving.
Bamboni wants to stand and escape but Fire is having none of it.
Fire postures up and lands a big shot to Bamboni's brow.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fire passes Bamboni's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Bamboni manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Fire looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Fire is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bamboni tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Fire counters with a single leg into guard. Bamboni didn't expect that.
Fire throws a strike but Bamboni rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Fire preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Jake Fire has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bamboni throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fire works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Bamboni stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Fire stuffs the takedown attempt from Bamboni. Bamboni gets slowly back to his feet.
Fire fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bamboni slaps away a takedown attempt from Fire, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bamboni looks to land a body kick but Fire moved away.
Fire circles away from the clinch attempt

and Fire counters by moving into the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Fire just misses with a elbow thrown towards Bamboni's brow.
Fire tries for a takedown but Bamboni manages to get underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fire takes an elbow to the forehead.
Bamboni misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fire.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Fire managing to block the knees to the body from Bamboni.
Bamboni lands an elbow just above Fire 's eye.
Bamboni gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Fire blocks an elbow strike.
Bamboni with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Fire pushes off an throws an elbow but Bamboni leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Nice elbow from Fire.
Fire is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Bamboni lands an elbow inside.
Nice elbow from Bamboni.
Fire drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Bamboni gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Tony Bamboni has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Fire.
Fire blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bamboni looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Fire throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bambonis head.
Bamboni gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Fire blocks the elbow strike.
Fire lands with a light punch inside.
Fire has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Bamboni lands an elbow that stopped Fire in his tracks for a moment.
Bamboni lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

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.
Fire avoids a wild elbow strike from Bamboni.
Fire lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Bamboni pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Bamboni looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Fire lands a right hand.
Bamboni lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Fire as the two fighters clinch.
Bamboni misses with an elbow over the top.
Fire pushes off an throws an elbow but Bamboni leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Fire avoids the elbow strike from Bamboni, against the cage.
Fire is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Bamboni is keeping busy.
Fire slows down the pace here.
Tony Bamboni is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bamboni unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Fire blocks the elbow strike.
Nice body punch from Fire.
Bamboni stops a takedown attempt from Fire.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Fire looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Fire takes a knee to the side of the body.
Fire has a couple of punches blocked by Bamboni.
Fire fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bamboni gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Bamboni lands an elbow just above Fire 's eye.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jake Fire comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bamboni has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 29:28
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tony Bamboni!