PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Blaze Hastings (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kingston James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hastings kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Blazin Hazen - Avarage Homeboy. James has chosen Big Mouth Strikes Again as his entrance music. Blaze Hastings has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hastings
vs
James

179 cm
25
177 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

184 cm
25
179 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Powerful

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 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Blaze Hastings!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Kingston James!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, James Atkins and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James misses with a double jab

and Hastings counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Hastings slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
James is trying to improve his position.
James taking punishment in the form of punches.
Hastings wants to lay and pray for a moment but James keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hastings tries for a kimura but James is defending well.

Hastings is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, James has escaped the position, nice work there.
James is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Hastings's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
James has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hastings is working away from the top position though.
Hastings thows a huge punch but James dodges it nicely.
James wants to improve his position but Hastings is controlling well.
James wants to control but Hastings is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hastings seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but James does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
James controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

Hastings is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so James is just riding it out for now. Hastings eventually gives up the hold.

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.
Hastings wants to control but James is keeping him busy.
Hastings trying to mount his opponent but James defends it.

Hastings is trying to work for a kimura but James is defending well.
Hastings wants to free his trapped foot but James is holding on for dear life with his legs.
James avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hastings.
James wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hastings wants to pass to mount but James is defending the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
James landing strikes from the bottom.
James tries to roll over but Hastings keeps him under control.

James actively working from the bottom here.
James moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Hastings drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hastings jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Hastings trying to control but James is working from the bottom.
Hastings stands and throws James's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's four 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.

Hastings looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Hastings scoring with punches from side control.

Hastings working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
James tries to improve position but can't.

Hastings looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
James prevents Hastings from moving into mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blaze Hastings dominated that round.
That's time! Hastings's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

James ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hastings moves away.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by James.
Hastings shoots for a double leg takedown but James sprawls well. He's pushed Hastings's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
James slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Hastings shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as James sprawls well. James wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hastings gets slowly back to his feet.
James thows a body shot but no joy.
Hastings looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Blaze Hastings. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hastings gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and James counters with a straight right hand.
James jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hastings throws a jab when James was well out of range.
Good exchange - James coming out on top.
Hastings blocks a jab.
James lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
James just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James tries for a takedown but Hastings circles away easily
and Hastings counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Kingston James has been cut.
Hastings gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and James counters with a three punch combo that has Hastings backing up. Hastings nods at James to acknowledge the strikes.

Hastings drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

James is looking for a triangle but Hastings pushes his legs off easily.
Hastings tries to free his leg and advance position but James is retaining full guard.

Hastings postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! James is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Hastings, into his guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hastings manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hastings looking to finish James with some ground and pound. This is bad for James!

Hastings looking for a guillotine from mount but James is having none of it.
Hastings landing punches.
James is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Hastings working the ground and pound effectively.
Hastings is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. James can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hastings looking to control but James is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
BOOM! Hastings connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Hastings dominating with strikes here.
James is trying to escape the mount but Hastings keeps good control and instead manages to take James's back.

Hastings has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
James is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Hastings off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hastings lands strikes to the head.

Hastings working for the choke.

James is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hastings struggling to land strikes to the head as James covers up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blaze Hastings dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kingston James's cut.
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!

James moves into range and connects with a jab.
James fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hastings avoids it really well and circles away.
Hastings takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Blaze Hastings has been cut.
Hastings throws a sloppy head kick and James moves out of range easily.
Hastings with a lazy takedown attempt

and James counters with a single leg into guard. Hastings didn't expect that.
James trying to control but Hastings is working from the bottom.
Hastings looking for a sweep. Not yet Hastings, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hastings escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. James gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hastings working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from James.
Hastings looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

James thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Hastings working a defensive guard here.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
James working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hastings's head.
James must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
James won't allow Hastings to sweep him here.
Hastings keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.
Hastings 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 tries to roll over but Hastings keeps him under control.
Blaze Hastings overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hastings is thwarting James's attempts to control the position.
James is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Hastings scores with a couple of nice shots.
Hastings trying to pass the guard but James defending well.

Hastings is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, James has managed to free his arm - good work.
James is in trouble now - Hastings has advanced to mount!
James is looking to improve his position but Hastings isn't that keen on the idea.
Kingston James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Blaze Hastings is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hastings working for a guillotine from mount but James is in no mood to give up.
Hastings tries to control but James wriggling away.
James is working to get back to half guard.
Hastings controlling the position easily from mount.
Hastings avoids the attempt from James to control.
Hastings sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

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.
James is trying desperately to improve position.
Hastings controlling from mount.
James is squirming around, avoiding Hastings's attempts to control the action.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Hastings tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Hastings trying to control but James is having none of it.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Blaze Hastings just wasn't active enough.
James misses with a lunging right hand
and Hastings counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kingston James.
I think Hastings 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 James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Blaze Hastings!