PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Clarke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Jefferson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michael Jefferson is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Clarke
vs
Jefferson

175 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
22
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Zija International
Infliction Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Clarke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Jefferson!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Lou da Vinci and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Clarke drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Clarke in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Clarke working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Jefferson is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Clarke off and has taken his back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Jefferson is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Clarke is defending well though. Jefferson let's go of the attempt for now.
Jefferson tries to keep control of the position but Clarke is staying busy.
Jefferson doesn't have the hooks in and Clarke manages to turn into his guard.
Jefferson is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Jefferson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Clarke pushing down on Jefferson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Clarke takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Clarke knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Jefferson on the ground.
Jefferson trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clarke missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Clarke thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Jefferson's head.
Clarke thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Jefferson's head.
Jefferson trying to hold on to Clarke's head to control him but Clarke postures up.
Jefferson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Clarke kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

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

Jefferson scores with a takedown into Clarke's guard.
Clarke keeping moving, preventing Jefferson from controlling successfully.
Clarke manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Jefferson manages to get himself to full guard.
Jefferson looks gassed!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Clarke wants to get up but he can't break Jefferson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Clarke throwing strikes from guard but Jefferson blocks nicely.
Clarke has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Jefferson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clarke throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Jefferson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Clarke postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Clarke wants to pass the guard but Jefferson is keeping the position.

Jefferson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Clarke stopping the sweep attempt from Jefferson.
Clarke lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Jefferson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Clarke keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Jefferson's head.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Clarke fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Jefferson sprawls well initially but Clarke persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Clarke lands a nice short elbow.
Clarke looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Jefferson actively working from the bottom here.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jefferson is working on a guillotine. He's managed to get to full guard and he's really squeezing tight! Clarke is tapping! Great win for Jefferson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:09 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Michael Jefferson!