PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between RlCK JAMES (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Kostya (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

JAMES
vs
Kostya

178 cm
20
178 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

175 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight 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, RlCK JAMES!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Kostya!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Columbo Gatti and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
JAMES fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
No luck for JAMES with that takedown attempt.
Kostya gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and JAMES counters with a shoot takedown. Kostya fights it but they end up in guard.
JAMES wants to pass the guard but Kostya is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
JAMES in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kostya trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
JAMES content to stall in guard here.
Kostya keeping moving, preventing JAMES from controlling successfully.
JAMES loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
JAMES throwing strikes from guard but Kostya blocks nicely.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

Kostya gets the takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kostya wants to lay and pray for a moment but JAMES keeps working.
JAMES tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Kostya is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. JAMES knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on JAMES's face as Kostya controls the position.
JAMES tries to buck Kostya off but Kostya is having none of it.
JAMES is not content to let Kostya control the position.

Kostya tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Kostya has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
JAMES is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Kostya's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
JAMES is staying active underneath Kostya, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kostya is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Kostya is looking to take a break and control but JAMES is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kostya looks gassed!
JAMES tries to get to full guard but Kostya has control of the leg.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kostya 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 shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
JAMES takes Kostya's back.
JAMES misses with a punch to the head.
Kostya looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
JAMES lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by JAMES.
Kostya trying to control the position but JAMES manages to sink in the hooks.
JAMES missing with punches from the back.

Kostya showing good submission defense here.
Kostya manages to reverse the position and now he's in JAMES's guard. Nice work there by Kostya.
JAMES wants to sweep but no luck.
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.
JAMES bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kostya's guard.

JAMES drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and JAMES jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
JAMES is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

JAMES drops back looking for a leg! Kostya is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kostya manages to kick JAMES off! JAMES jumps back into Kostya's guard.

JAMES thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

JAMES avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
JAMES advances to half guard.
JAMES is tying to control. Kostya wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
JAMES is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Kostya tries to get to full guard but JAMES has control of the leg.

JAMES is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kostya is just riding it out for now. JAMES eventually gives up the hold.
Kostya is trying to maintain the position but JAMES is very close to passing his half guard.
JAMES wants to pass to mount but Kostya is defending the position.
JAMES sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kostya defending well though.
Kostya is trying to maintain the position but JAMES is very close to passing his half guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kostya doesn't succeed with the takedown

and JAMES counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
JAMES stands and throws Kostya's legs to the side, diving into side control.
JAMES in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Kostya is trying to control JAMES's posture but JAMES avoids it.
JAMES postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
JAMES works to advance to full mount. Kostya defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Kostya wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by JAMES.
Kostya tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kostya avoids a series of strikes thrown by JAMES.
JAMES looking to ground and pound but Kostya is blocking nicely.
BOOM! JAMES connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Kostya is rocked!

JAMES has control of Kostya's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Kostya regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Kostya is still in real trouble! Can JAMES finish him?
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
JAMES unloads with some shots from mount but Kostya bucks and avoids them well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
JAMES misses with a head shot.
JAMES avoids the attempt from Kostya to control.
JAMES throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

RlCK JAMES 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.

JAMES shoots in and bounces Kostya off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
JAMES won't allow Kostya to get back to his feet.

Kostya scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Kostya seems to have recovered his senses.

JAMES closes the distance and clinches.
JAMES trying to land knees to the body.

JAMES manages to pull guard.

JAMES is looking for a triangle but Kostya pushes his legs off easily.

Kostya avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kostya slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
JAMES keeping moving, preventing Kostya from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kostya missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

JAMES looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Kostya drops back looking for a leg! JAMES is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and JAMES manages to kick Kostya off! Kostya jumps back into JAMES's guard.

JAMES is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
JAMES looking for a sweep. Not yet JAMES, not yet.
Kostya wants to pass the guard but JAMES is keeping the position.

JAMES has his foot on Kostya's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kostya works his way back into a safe position though.
Kostya must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
JAMES looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
JAMES is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
JAMES missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
JAMES thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
RlCK JAMES overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
JAMES wants to pass to mount but Kostya is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
JAMES is tying to control. Kostya wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
JAMES is pressing down on Kostya's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kostya is holding on for now.
JAMES is working hard here to advance position.
Kostya manages to get to full guard.

JAMES is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kostya with a lazy takedown attempt

and JAMES counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Kostya's guard now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
JAMES trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

JAMES is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
JAMES pushing down on Kostya's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
JAMES wants to take a breather but Kostya is having none of it.
JAMES has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
JAMES throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Kostya because JAMES loaded up on that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
JAMES punching from mount but Kostya doing a good job of avoiding damage.
JAMES controlling the position easily from mount.
Poor strikes thrown by JAMES there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Kostya sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Kostya trying to control but JAMES postures up.
Kostya is trying to stand.

JAMES is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kostya is just riding it out for now. JAMES eventually gives up the hold.
JAMES sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kostya defending well though.
JAMES tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kostya knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Kostya kicks off JAMES and gets to his feet.

JAMES feints and as Kostya raises his hands in defense, JAMES changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
JAMES wants to control from the top but Kostya keeps moving.
Kostya avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kostya controls JAMES momentarily but JAMES frees himself.
JAMES trying to control but Kostya is working from the bottom.

JAMES drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and JAMES jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Kostya looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
JAMES in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
JAMES missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
JAMES shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
JAMES scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

JAMES feints and as Kostya raises his hands in defense, JAMES changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
JAMES passes Kostya's left leg - he's now in half guard.

JAMES is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

JAMES looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

RlCK JAMES dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

JAMES looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kostya is fending him off so far but JAMES persists. Nope, Kostya circles away and we're back to standing.
JAMES fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
JAMES misses with a takedown attempt - Kostya sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for RlCK JAMES. That's going to take a lot out of him.
JAMES looks for a takedown but Kostya sprawls well.
Kostya shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and JAMES counters with a single leg into guard. Kostya didn't expect that.
Kostya keeping moving, preventing JAMES from controlling successfully.
Kostya is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kostya is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
JAMES postures up in Kostya's guard and throws a big left but Kostya blocks it.
JAMES won't allow Kostya to sweep him here.
JAMES in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
JAMES wants to pass the guard but Kostya is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kostya has control of JAMES's left arm, preventing JAMES from doing any damage.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Nice sprawl there from Kostya as JAMES shoots in.
Kostya fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Good shot there by JAMES.
JAMES throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Kostya as JAMES shoots in.
JAMES has a takedown stuffed.

JAMES has closed the distance and engaged Kostya in a clinch.
JAMES tries to land knees in the clinch but Kostya avoids the damage to the body.

JAMES turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Kostya is trying to buck JAMES off.
JAMES is looking to take a break and control but Kostya is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kostya is trying to control JAMES's posture but JAMES avoids it.
JAMES misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

JAMES working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
JAMES misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
JAMES working the head and body with strikes.
The strikes coming from JAMES are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
You can see the frustration on Kostya's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kostya is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

JAMES is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kostya is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kostya is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
JAMES misses with the ground and pound.
You can see the frustration on Kostya's face as JAMES controls the position.
Kostya tries to bench press JAMES off him but JAMES keeps the position.
JAMES has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Kostya!
The referee warns Kostya that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kostya is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Kostya is trying desperately to improve position.
Kostya wants to hold on but JAMES pushes him away.
Kostya is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but JAMES is staying active.
Kostya is squirming around, avoiding JAMES's attempts to control the action.
Kostya sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

JAMES is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Kostya has managed to free his arm - good work.
Kostya moves into full guard.
JAMES throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
JAMES trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
JAMES works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
JAMES throwing shots but Kostya is blocking nicely.
JAMES lands strikes from half guard.

JAMES seems to be working for a kimura but Kostya defends the submission attempt.
JAMES is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kostya can do to turn this around?

Kostya is defending against the submission attempts here by JAMES.
JAMES sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kostya defending well though.
Kostya moves into full guard.
JAMES wants to control from the top but Kostya keeps moving.
JAMES looking to pass the guard.
JAMES throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kostya works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
JAMES trying to control the position from guard on top but Kostya is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

JAMES drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and JAMES jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
John Kostya has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kostya gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and JAMES counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kostya!

And that's the end of the fight!
RlCK JAMES showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for JAMES, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... RlCK JAMES!