PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Saddam Hussain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fabio Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jones has chosen Life Goes On as his entrance music. Fabio Jones will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Hussain
vs
Jones

162 cm
32
155 lbs
22 - 6 - 0

185 cm
30
155 lbs
17 - 12 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power

ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Saddam Hussain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Fabio Jones!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hussain steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Jones.
Hussain throws a nice inside leg kick.
Jones connects with a body shot that sends Hussain's belly button to the back.
Jones avoids the body shot from Hussain.
Good work by Jones as he checks the leg kick.
Jones scores with a nice right hand.
Hussain tried to score with a low kick but Jones checks it.
Jones is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Hussain misses the jab.
Jones scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A looping hook to the body misses from Jones. Hussain does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jones throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Good work by Jones as he checks the leg kick.
Jones wants to slow Hussain down by chopping away at his legs.
A swing and a miss from Jones.
Hussain keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A lazy left from Hussain finds it's target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jones looks to score with a jab to the body but Hussain is just out of range.
Jones missing with a left hand there. Hussain was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hussain misses with a head kick.
Hussain needs to keep his hands up - Jones had a free shot at his head there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hussain avoids the body shot from Jones.
Hussain pivots, looking for a leg kick but Jones is out of range and Hussain settles back down.
Hussain throws a quick inside leg kick.
Jones misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hussain.
Nice shot by Jones.
Jones connects with a crisp jab.
Hussain throws the left hand but Jones avoids the punch easily.
Hussain slips a jab from Jones.
Hussain attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Hussain tries to work over Jones's front leg with a kick but Jones checks it.
Jones scores with the left hand. Hussain knows he should have avoided that one.
Hussain ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Hussain looks to land a right hand but Jones moved out of range.
Jones is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
A punch lands to the side of Hussain 's head but he takes it in his stride.
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!
Jones shoots in for a takedown but Hussain shows good takedown defense.
Jones has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Hussain looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Jones shoots in and drives through. Hussain sprawls well.
Hussain keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fabio Jones seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hussain connects with a solid leg kick.
Jones throws a leg kick but Hussain moved away.

Jones fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hussain sprawls well initially but Jones persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Jones takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Jones drops an elbow to the side of Hussain's head.
Hussain blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jones.
Hussain is trying is best to control the position here.
Hussain wants to control but Jones is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jones thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hussain keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Jones throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Jones is working for a kimura but Hussain is defending it quite comfortably.
Hussain is trying to maintain the position but Jones is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jones is working for a kimura but Hussain is defending it quite comfortably.
Hussain avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Jones.
Jones missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hussain tries to get to full guard but Jones has control of the leg.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Jones lands strikes from half guard.

Jones is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hussain wants to control but Jones is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hussain is controlling Jones's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Hussain avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Jones.
Hussain tries to get to full guard but Jones has control of the leg.
Hussain desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Hussain tries to roll over but Jones keeps him under control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Jones is trying to work for a kimura but Hussain is defending well.

Jones looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jones lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Jones dives in and scores a takedown into Hussain's guard.
Jones wants to control from the top but Hussain keeps moving.
Hussain controls Jones momentarily but Jones frees himself.
Hussain preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hussain is pulling down on Jones's head to control his posture.
Jones scoring with punches to the head and body.
Jones wants to control from the top but Hussain keeps moving.
Hussain working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones throws a big elbow that misses.
Hussain controlling Jones's posture.

Saddam Hussain has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Hussain cracks Jones with a good jab.
Jones scores with a nice right hand.
Hussain closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Jones throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hussain's waist but Hussain gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Jones off to one side.
Hussain has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hussain there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hussain fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Jones manages to avoid it.
Hussain closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Hussain thuds his right hand into Jones's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Jones is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jones lands with an uppercut that bounces Hussain off the cage and back into range.
Jones avoids the head kick by Hussain.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Jones shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hussain as he avoids it easily.
Saddam Hussain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fabio Jones.

Jones looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Jones throws a big right hand that misses.
Hussain is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Jones is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Hussain has his hands on Jones's head, controlling the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Jones in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hussain controls Jones momentarily but Jones frees himself.

Saddam Hussain has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Hussain defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jones.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hussain closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Jones lands a body punch in the clinch.
Jones tries to work over Hussain's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Jones looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Jones throws a punch but it's blocked by Hussain.
Hussain throws a punch but it's blocked by Jones.
Jones has a couple of punches blocked by Hussain.
Hussain softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Jones lands a shoulder strike.
Jones tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hussain's elbow.
Hussain wants to stall.

Hussain breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jones has a takedown stuffed.
Jones ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Jab by Jones.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Jones shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jones works over Hussain with some ground and pound from guard.
Jones stops Hussain from standing up.
Hussain is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jones is fighting to break Hussain's control of his arms but Hussain is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Jones throwing strikes from guard but Hussain blocks nicely.
Hussain utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hussain controlling Jones's posture.

Saddam Hussain has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Hussain ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fabio Jones showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Hussain swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Jones has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hussain.
A telegraphed right hand from Jones misses the target.
Nice body punch from Jones.
Jones is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hussain.
Hussain tries to clinch but Jones is having none of it.
Hussain throws a leg kick which misses Jones's front leg but catches the back leg as Jones tries to avoid it.
Hussain scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Jones throws a shot to the body.
Hussain dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Jones. That did some damage!
Hussain throws a leg kick but Jones sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Hussain works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Jones swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Hussain makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Jones really felt that one!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jones connects with a body shot that sends Hussain's belly button to the back.
Jones has a takedown stuffed.
Jones takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jones stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hussain.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Hussain - that will leave a mark!
Hussain throws a head kick that Jones semi-blocks.
Hussain goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Jones connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hussain. Hussain circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Hussain defending well as Jones loads up on a big left hand.
Hussain slaps away a takedown attempt from Jones, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Jones stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hussain.
Hussain avoids the body shot from Jones.
Jones throws a big shot that misses.
Jones throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hussain wants to clinch.
Jones's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Hussain throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A left lands for Jones.
Saddam Hussain is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Jones.

Jones changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hussain looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jones throws an elbow but Hussain slips to the side and avoids it well.
Hussain can't do much from the bottom here.
Jones working the ground and pound but Hussain is defending the strikes.
Hussain manages to work his way to half guard, despite Jones's best efforts.

Jones is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Jones missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hussain wants to get back to his feet.
Jones not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hussain is controlling Jones's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones trying to control from half guard but Hussain is working away.
Hussain is looking to control Jones's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hussain avoid being mounted?
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Jones trying to control from Hussain's half guard. Hussain has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Hussain working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jones.
Saddam Hussain has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jones trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hussain is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Jones has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hussain keeping full guard, as Jones tries to pass.
Hussain might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Jones is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Jones with a flurry of punches that miss.
Jones stands and throws Hussain's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Jones working the head with strikes.
Sloppy strikes there by Jones.
Jones trying to control the action but Hussain is working from the bottom.
Jones tries to advance to mount but Hussain denies him.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hussain is trying to control Jones's posture but Jones avoids it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hussain manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Fabio Jones.
I've got Jones 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fabio Jones!
A relieved looking Fabio Jones thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.