PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Marcelo Nogueira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tank James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nogueira's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Perry Mason. Tank James will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Nogueira
vs
James

177 cm
24
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

188 cm
19
183 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Marcelo Nogueira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tank James!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, George Francis and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nogueira throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A swing and a miss from Nogueira.

James has taken the fight to the clinch.
James is looking to break free of the clinch but Nogueira has double underhooks.
James wants to break the clinch but can't.
James stops a takedown attempt from Nogueira.
James wants to break free but Nogueira has control.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nogueira.

Nogueira's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nogueira looks for a takedown but James sprawls well.
Marcelo Nogueira seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Nogueira closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
James tries to work over Nogueira's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nogueira with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nogueira misses with a knee strike.
Nogueira lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Tank James has been cut.
Nogueira lands a nice elbow.
Nogueira prevents James from breaking the clinch.
James wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nogueira.
Nogueira looking to throw knees to the head but James is blocking nicely.
James is trying to break free.
A frustrated look appears on James's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Nogueira leaning his opponent against the cage.
James swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nogueira using the Thai plumb to throw knees but James has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nogueira is pushing James up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Nogueira creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
James lands a shoulder strike.
Nogueira jumps guard but James stands there with Nogueira around his waist. Nogueira gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcelo Nogueira. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Nogueira breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nogueira misses with a series of wild punches.

James clinches up with Nogueira and pushes him back against the cage.
James has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
With the fighters up against the cage, Nogueira throws an elbow but misses.

James drags the fight down to the ground.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
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.

Nogueira looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nogueira trying to hold on to James's head to control him but James postures up.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Nogueira knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for James on the ground.
James is looking to stall here but Nogueira recovers full guard.
James postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.

James stands up from Nogueira's guard - James perhaps looking for a knockout.
Nogueira throws out a leg kick but James moves out of range and Nogueira only half commits.
James misses with a low kick.
Nogueira leaves James with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nogueira tries to clinch up but James circles away and keeps his distance.

Nogueira has taken the fight to the clinch.
James managing to block the knees to the body from Nogueira.
Nogueira blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nogueira misses with the head strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James blocks the elbow strike.
Nogueira pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nogueira wants to take the fight to the mat but James manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nogueira tries to stall but James uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Nogueira is breathing heavily.
James stops a takedown attempt from Nogueira.
Nogueira trying to land knees to the body.
James lands a body shot.
James throws an elbow but it's blocked.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James leaning against his opponent.
Nogueira has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by James after a bit of a struggle.
James pushes Nogueira back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
James is trying to force a seperation but Nogueira has the dominant position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
James trying to control the position but instead, Nogueira has worked for underhooks and has pushed James into the cage.
James goes for a takedown attempt but Nogueira pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tank James will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Tank James's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

James moves into range and clinches up with Nogueira.
Nogueira lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
James blocks an uppercut.
James wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Nogueira's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nogueira misses with a straight right.

James fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nogueira, pushing him back against the cage.

Nogueira breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
James misses the shot to the body.
James swings and misses with a hook to the body.

James drives through and clinches with Nogueira against the cage.
Nogueira can't get the takedown.
James blocks the elbow strike.
James misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Nogueira.
Nogueira with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nogueira pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
James throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nogueira misses with a series of wild punches.
Nogueira throws an uppercut from half a mile away. James sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nogueira shoots for a takedown but James saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

James clinches with his opponent.
Nogueira keeps the fight in the clinch, despite James's efforts to push away.
Nogueira is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Nogueira missing with knees to the body.
James tries to break the clinch but Nogueira is controlling the position.
Nogueira swings away with an uppercut that misses.
James jumps guard but Nogueira stands there with James around his waist. James gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nogueira.
James on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira prevents James from breaking the clinch.
Nogueira comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
James is trying to pull guard but Nogueira turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
James wants to break free but Nogueira has control.
Nogueira looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Nogueira jumps guard but James stands there with Nogueira around his waist. Nogueira gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcelo Nogueira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
James is trying to break the clinch but Nogueira is controlling him.
Nogueira keeps the fight in the clinch, despite James's efforts to push away.
James tries to circle away but Nogueira has him pinned against the cage.
James tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nogueira's elbow.

Nogueira manages to break the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
James looks to score with a jab to the body but Nogueira is just out of range.
James throws a hook but Nogueira blocks it.
James misses with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nogueira shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with James but James pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nogueira misses with a body shot.
James swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nogueira tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. James manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
James misses with a series of wild punches.
James has a takedown stuffed.
Nogueira pulls out of a head kick attempt.
James scores with a crisp jab that stopped Nogueira in his tracks.
Nogueira throws a head kick but James moves out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from James.
Nogueira misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira moves in looking to clinch but James pushes him off.
James dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
James misses with a head kick.
Horrible takedown by James or perhaps it was just good defense by Nogueira which made him look bad.
James fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nogueira manages to avoid it.
Tank James seems to be getting the better of the standup.
James just misses with a punch to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nogueira moves in looking to clinch but James pushes him off.
Nogueira closes this distance looking for a takedown but James circles away.
James works Nogueira's body with a nice hook.
Nogueira stuffs the takedown.
James shoots for a double leg takedown but Nogueira sprawls well. He's pushed James's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A punch combination from James misses.
Nogueira tries to close the distance and clinch but James swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
No luck for Nogueira with that takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tank James showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tank James's cut.
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!

Nogueira takes one on the button.
James fails with a takedown attempt.
Nogueira throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nogueira shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with James but James pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Nogueira clinches up with James and pushes him back against the cage.
James prevents a takedown attempt there.
Nogueira trying to land knees to the body.
Nogueira is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nogueira has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Marcelo Nogueira has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Nogueira goes for a takedown attempt but James pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcelo Nogueira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
James throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James thuds his right hand into Nogueira's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
James shoots for a double leg takedown but Nogueira sprawls well. He's pushed James's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nogueira misses with a wild body shot.
Nogueira avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Nogueira tries to keep at a distance but James has taken the fight into the clinch.
James misses with a shot to the kidneys.
James looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
James tries to circle away but Nogueira has him pinned against the cage.
James wants to break free but Nogueira has control.
Nogueira throws an elbow but it misses.
Nogueira lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nogueira is trying to push James away but James has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira wants to get back to striking at distance but James won't allow it.
Nogueira wants a takedown but no success here.

James pulls guard successfully.
James manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Nogueira manages to get himself to full guard.

James gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
James throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nice takedown defense from James. No joy for Nogueira on that attempt.
James is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Nogueira rather than just go for the knockout.
James looks for a takedown but Nogueira sprawls well.
Marcelo Nogueira is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

James moves into the clinch successfully.
Nogueira is trying to stall.
James is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Nogueira as James tries to tie him up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira is looking for a takedown up against the cage. James gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
James misses with a hook to the ribs.
James wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nogueira wants a takedown but no success here.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from James.
James is looking to break free of the clinch but Nogueira has double underhooks.
James blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Marcelo Nogueira has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James dodges an elbow strike from Nogueira.
James tries to break the clinch but Nogueira is controlling the position.
James is looking to break free of the clinch but Nogueira has double underhooks.
Nogueira throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
James looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

James manages to pull guard.

James has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nogueira can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James is pulling down on Nogueira's head to control his posture.
Nogueira working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nogueira trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
James pulls Nogueira in to control the position.
Nogueira throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as James works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tank James is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
This has been an exciting period of action!
James utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tank James comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well James has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29

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