PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Xavier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dante Ninja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Xavier
vs
Ninja

180 cm
22
207 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

191 cm
26
205 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, James Xavier!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dante Ninja!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ninja closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Ninja misses with a straight left.
Ninja swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Xavier takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Xavier gets caught flat footed, as Ninja shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Xavier is on top in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Xavier working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Xavier slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on Ninja's face as Xavier controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xavier trying to control the action but Ninja is working from the bottom.
Xavier throws a strike aimed at the side of Ninja's head but Ninja avoids it well.
Ninja is trying to escape the position but Xavier is controlling the position.
Xavier creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Ninja sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Xavier in side control lands a decent elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xavier controls the position.
Xavier creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Ninja sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
You can see the frustration on Ninja's face as Xavier controls the position.
Xavier wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ninja keeps working.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

We're going to have a standup here because James Xavier wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Ninja lands a jab to the nose.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ninja drives through with a takedown into Xavier's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Xavier 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.
Ninja wants to stand and escape but instead Xavier has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Xavier engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Xavier trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Xavier trying to control the position from guard on top but Ninja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ninja pushes Xavier off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ninja throws a hook to the side of Xavier's head but Xavier sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Xavier tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ninja paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ninja throws a jab but it's blocked by Xavier.
Dante Ninja seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ninja lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Xavier circles away quickly and effectively.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ninja misses with a takedown

and Xavier counters with a nice double leg into side control. Ninja won't be happy with that.
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 James Xavier will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ninja throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ninja fails to land with a series of punches.
Xavier wants to clinch up but Ninja keeps it at a distance.
Xavier staying out of range there.
Ninja throws a body punch but Xavier moves out of range.
Ninja shoots in looking for a takedown. Xavier tries to sprawl out of it but Ninja keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Xavier manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice body punch from Ninja.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ninja throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Xavier.
Ninja has a takedown stuffed.
Xavier staying out of range there.
Ninja lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Xavier circles away quickly and effectively.
Ninja circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ninja changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Xavier tries to avoid it but Ninja manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Xavier to the ground. Xavier escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
James Xavier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dante Ninja.
Xavier uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ninja.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ninja swings for the body but Xavier moves out of range.
Ninja lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Ninja.
Ninja lands with a cross.
No joy there for Ninja, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Xavier wants to clinch.
Xavier stuffs the takedown attempt from Ninja. Ninja gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xavier tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ninja swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ninja ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Xavier moves away.

Xavier fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ninja, pushing him back against the cage.
Xavier lands a knee to the head.
Ninja takes a knee right on the jaw!
Xavier landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Xavier misses with a knee strike.
Xavier manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xavier throws a knee to the head but misses.
Ninja cracks Xavier with a nice body shot.
Xavier tries a knee to the head but Ninja blocks it.
Xavier connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ninja's face.
Xavier working Ninja over with knees to the body.
Ninja is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Xavier misses with a knee to the head.
Xavier lands a knee to the body.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Xavier landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Xavier dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Xavier tries to clinch there but Ninja circles away.
Xavier tries to clinch there but Ninja circles away.
Ninja fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Xavier tries to clinch there but Ninja circles away.
Ninja misses with a wild combination.
Ninja swings for the body but Xavier moves out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ninja.
Dante Ninja is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Xavier clinches up against the cage.
Xavier landing knees to the head.
Xavier stalls.
Ninja taking a breather.
Xavier is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Ninja takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ninja has had enough of the clinch but Xavier keeps him there for the moment.
Xavier lands a knee to the head.
Xavier landing some nice looking knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Xavier unloads a knee to the mid-section. Ninja lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xavier landing knees to the body.
Xavier is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Ninja takes a knee to the side of the body.
Xavier using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ninja has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Xavier lands a knee to the head.
Xavier lands a nice knee to the body.
Xavier putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ninja in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Xavier lands a knee to the head.
Xavier connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ninja's face.
Xavier working Ninja over with knees to the body.
Xavier lands a knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Xavier.
Ninja takes a knee right on the jaw!
Xavier with a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Xavier.
Xavier lands a knee to the body.
Xavier with a knee to the head.
Xavier connects with a knee to the head.
James Xavier has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Xavier unloads a knee to the mid-section.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee calls for Xavier to work.
Xavier crunches a lovely knee into Ninja's ribcage.
Xavier lands a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Xavier.
Xavier tries to land a knee to the head but Ninja blocks with his arms.
Xavier lands a knee to the body.
Xavier lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Xavier just leaning against Ninja, taking a breather.
Knees in the clinch landing for Xavier.
Xavier landing knees to the body.
Xavier landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Xavier lands a knee to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A bit of stalling here from Xavier.
Xavier with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Xavier using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Xavier clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ninja gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Xavier is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Ninja can't keep his opponent in guard - Xavier advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Xavier looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xavier landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
James Xavier overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Xavier works his way into side control.
Xavier controls the position from side control.
Xavier throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xavier happy to just control the position for now.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ninja can do anything to dispel that myth.
Ninja is trying to get back to his feet.
Ninja defending against the ground and pound.
Xavier working the body and head with strikes.
Xavier tries to score with some ground and pound. Ninja controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Ninja dodges the ground and pound from Xavier.
Ninja is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xavier moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Xavier seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Ninja for as long as he can get away with.
Xavier landing strikes.
Xavier in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xavier moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Xavier postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Xavier had his way with Dante Ninja in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Ninja throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Xavier stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Ninja throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Xavier's waist but Xavier gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ninja off to one side.
Xavier moves in looking to clinch but Ninja pushes him off.
Ninja shoots for a double leg takedown but Xavier sprawls well. He's pushed Ninja's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Dante Ninja seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A swing and a miss from Ninja.

Xavier fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ninja, pushing him back against the cage.
Ninja wants to break free but Xavier has control.
Ninja has had enough of the clinch but Xavier keeps him there for the moment.
Xavier misses with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xavier with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Xavier stalling the fight.
Ninja wants to break free but Xavier has control.
Xavier is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ninja can do to turn this around?
Xavier landing knees to the body.
Ninja is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Xavier lands a good knee to the midsection. Ninja won't want to take too many of those.
Xavier with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ninja is trying to break free.
Xavier lands a good knee to the midsection. Ninja won't want to take too many of those.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The referee calls for Xavier to work.
Xavier lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ninja takes a knee right on the jaw!
Ninja takes a knee to the side of the body.
Xavier landing knees to the head.
Xavier landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Xavier manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Xavier lands a knee to the head.
Ninja takes a knee to the side of the body.
Xavier is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Xavier unloads a knee to the mid-section. Ninja lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ninja is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Xavier landing knees to the body.
Xavier is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Xavier lands a knee to the body.
Xavier connects with a knee to the head.
Xavier working Ninja over with knees to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ninja being controlled against the cage.
Xavier prevents Ninja from breaking the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xavier with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Ninja tries to break the clinch but Xavier is controlling the position.
Xavier tries to land a knee to the head but Ninja blocks with his arms.
Xavier stalling in the clinch.
Xavier tries a knee to the head but Ninja blocks it.
Ninja taking a breather.
Xavier landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Xavier utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ninja takes a knee right on the jaw!
Dante Ninja has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Xavier putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ninja in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Xavier showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Xavier, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 50:43
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 50:43
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 50:43

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Xavier!
James Xavier retains his light heavyweight title!
After winning the bout, James Xavier thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.