PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jonas Tavares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Strong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Tavares
vs
Strong

173 cm
25
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
147 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jonas Tavares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, James Strong!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Thiago Cunha and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tavares stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tavares wants it to stay on the feet.
Tavares avoids the head kick by Strong.
Strong shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tavares as he avoids it easily.
Nice uppercut lands for Tavares. That snapped Strong's head back.
Tavares moves in looking to clinch but Strong pushes him off.
Strong shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tavares defends it nicely.
Jonas Tavares has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Strong.

Strong drives through with a takedown into Tavares's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Tavares is wriggling around but Strong manages to pass to half guard.
Strong is looking to take a break and control but Tavares is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tavares keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tavares is defending against the submission attempts here by Strong.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Well, if Strong is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Strong is trying to control. Tavares wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Strong might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Tavares kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Tavares is trying to stand.
Strong seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares is trying to get back to full guard.

OK we're going to have a standup here. James Strong hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Strong moves into the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Tavares as Strong tries to tie him up.
Tavares tries to break the clinch but Strong is controlling the position.

Strong breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares throws a series of punches but Strong moves out of range.
Tavares closes the distance looking to clinch

and Strong counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Strong.
Tavares prevents the takedown attempt.
Tavares tries to break free but Strong pushes him back against the cage.
Strong is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Tavares breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Strong is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tavares sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares tries to bum rush Strong with a series of wild strikes but Strong uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tavares misses with a series of wild punches.
Strong tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Tavares manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tavares scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Strong keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Strong shoots in but Tavares avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tavares throws a series of punches but Strong avoids them all with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tavares throws a nice looking combination but Strong bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Strong fails with the takedown.
Tavares will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Jonas Tavares is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tavares tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Strong paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Tavares rushes Strong and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Strong is trying to push Tavares away but Tavares has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Strong's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strong taking a breather.
Tavares is trying to break the clinch but Strong is controlling him.
Strong has Tavares pressed against the cage, preventing Tavares from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Strong fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Tavares jumps guard but Strong stands there with Tavares around his waist. Tavares gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Strong misses with an elbow strike.
Tavares is trying to pull guard but Strong has him pressed against the cage.
Tavares is trying to break free.
Strong pushes off an throws an elbow but Tavares leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Tavares is trying to break free.
Strong is looking to take this one to the mat.
Jonas Tavares has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Strong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares tries to break the clinch but Strong is controlling the position.
Tavares on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tavares on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tavares is trying to pull guard but Strong has him pressed against the cage.
Strong tries to score a body lock takedown but Tavares shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Tavares tries to circle away but Strong has him pinned against the cage.
Strong keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tavares's efforts to push away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares wants to get back to striking at distance but Strong won't allow it.
Strong missing with knees to the body.
Strong is looking to control Tavares's arms but Tavares gets an underhook and turns him. Now Strong has his back to the cage.
Strong will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Tavares up against the cage.
Tavares lands on the inside with an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jonas Tavares will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Tavares moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Tavares showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Strong.
Strong closes the distance but Tavares moves to the side
and Tavares counters with a one-two to the body.
Strong throws a nice looking combination but Tavares bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Strong tries to clinch but Tavares is having none of it.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Tavares!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Tavares enables Strong to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Tavares manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Strong passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Tavares tries to improve position but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
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Tavares on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Tavares tries to get out of the position.
Strong is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Tavares will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strong is looking to take a break and control but Tavares is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

James Strong has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Tavares slips a jab and a cross from Strong.
Tavares fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Strong throws a combination that misses
and Tavares counters with a three punch combo that has Strong backing up. Strong nods at Tavares to acknowledge the strikes.
Jonas Tavares is winning the standup battle so far.
Strong slips a jab and a cross from Tavares.
Tavares misses with a double jab

and Strong counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strong controls from within his opponent's guard.
Strong prevents Tavares from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Strong content to stall in guard here.

OK we're going to have a standup here. James Strong hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Horrible takedown by Strong or perhaps it was just good defense by Tavares which made him look bad.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Tavares does no damage.
Strong tries to clinch there but Tavares circles away.

Tavares shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Strong kicks Tavares off and gets back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Strong fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tavares avoids it really well and circles away.
Strong tries to clinch up but Tavares circles away and keeps his distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Strong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Strong has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Strong!