PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Bija (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Pontes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Bija
vs
Pontes

188 cm
20
250 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

200 cm
23
278 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, James Bija!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jose Pontes!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Felipe Paraventi and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bija throws a lazy uppercut
and Pontes counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Pontes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bija misses with a wild body shot.
Bija blocks a head kick by Pontes.
Pontes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Pontes shoots in for a takedown but Bija shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bija misses with a right hand

and Pontes counters with a shoot takedown. Bija fights it but they end up in guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Bija is looking to stand up but Pontes isn't so interested in that idea.
Pontes sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Jose Pontes hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Pontes looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bija is fending him off so far but Pontes persists. Nope, Bija circles away and we're back to standing.
James Bija has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Pontes.
Bija slaps away a takedown attempt from Pontes, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bija throws a body punch but Pontes moves out of range.
Pontes shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bija but Bija pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Bija throws a combination that misses

and Pontes counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Bija is breathing heavily.
Pontes sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Let's hope that Pontes has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Jose Pontes has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Bija tries to clinch up

so Pontes counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Pontes works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Well, if Pontes is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pontes moves nicely into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Pontes dominated that 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.

Pontes fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bija avoids it really well and circles away.
Bija misses with a lunging right hand

and Pontes counters with a single leg into guard. Bija didn't expect that.
Pontes is stalling in the full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jose Pontes was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Bija misses with a body punch

and Pontes counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Bija's guard now.
Bija can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Pontes controls the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Jose Pontes hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Pontes misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Pontes shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Bija's guard.
Pontes controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jose Pontes.
Pontes shoots for a double leg takedown but Bija sprawls well. He's pushed Pontes's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
James Bija has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Pontes.
Pontes shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bija but Bija pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bija misses with a right hand

and Pontes counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Bija!
Bija on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Bija tries to get out of the position.
Pontes throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pontes sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Bija is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Pontes looking to control and managing it successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Pontes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Pontes looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bija is fending him off so far but Pontes persists. Nope, Bija circles away and we're back to standing.
Bija throws an off balance right hand

and Pontes counters with a takedown into side control.
Bija seems a little lost for a moment, as Pontes dominates the positioning.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jose Pontes has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Bija displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pontes.

Pontes shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Bija's guard.
Pontes showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Jose Pontes has got the better of the ground game so far.
James Bija has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bija looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Jose Pontes wasn't active enough on the ground.
Bija stuffs the takedown attempt from Pontes. Pontes gets slowly back to his feet.
James Bija has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Pontes.
Pontes shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bija as he avoids it easily.
Bija tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Pontes counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Pontes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pontes controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
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.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jose Pontes.
Pontes looks for a takedown but Bija sprawls well.
Pontes tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bija sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Pontes somewhat.
Pontes shoots in looking for a takedown but Bija manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Pontes's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Jose Pontes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bija rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

so Pontes counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jose Pontes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Pontes 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jose Pontes!