PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ron James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Spartan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

James
vs
Spartan

186 cm
30
172 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

177 cm
31
178 lbs
20 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

5th Round Clothing
KAISER

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 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ron James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matt Spartan!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, David Schapiro and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Spartan.
James uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Spartan.
Spartan thows a left - swing and a miss!
A slow jab from James misses its intended target.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by James.
James connects with a crisp jab.
James misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
James moves away from the strike by Spartan.
Spartan throws a shot from downtown. James moves away and avoids it.
James connects with a good right hand that stumbles Spartan. Spartan circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Spartan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from James.
James tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
James scores with a nice body kick.
James lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Sloppy strikes from Spartan. Those never looked like landing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Spartan. James does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spartan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract James.
Spartan throws a nice looking combination but James bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Spartan throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
James tries to land a front kick but Spartan steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Spartan staying out of range there.
Spartan is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Spartan on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Spartan throws a low kick but it's checked well by James.
James cracks Spartan with a good jab.
James with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Spartan throws a shot from downtown. James moves away and avoids it.
James with a nice cross.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by James.
Spartan checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James connects with a leg kick. Spartan looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

James looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
James looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
James is looking to take a break and control but Spartan is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. James lands a nice short elbow.
James 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Spartan avoiding damage under a succession of punches from James.
Spartan is trying to stand back up but James is controlling him
James wants to take a breather but Spartan is having none of it.
James missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
James is looking to take a break and control but Spartan is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ron James wasn't doing enough on the ground.
James cracks Spartan with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Spartan gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
James forces his way into half guard.
James throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Good work by James as he checks the leg kick.
Matt Spartan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice shot by James.
Spartan thows a leg kick but James checks it
and James counters with a nice body shot.
James lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
James throws a shot from downtown. Spartan moves away and avoids it.
Spartan moves into range and connects with a jab.

It looks like Ron James has been cut.
Spartan checks a low kick from James.
James lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
James lands with a thumping leg kick.
James swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Spartan.
James gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
James throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Spartan misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Spartan has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
James is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A shot to the body from Spartan misses
and James counters with a nice low kick that buckles Spartan's knee momentarily.

James looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
James trying to mount his opponent but Spartan defends it.
James seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Spartan does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Spartan won't allow James to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James is figuring out what he wants to do next.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Ron James.
James turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
James with a jab.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as James checks a leg kick.
Spartan throws a nice looking combination but James bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Spartan fakes a jab and throws a low kick but James checks it well.
Spartan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
James cracks Spartan with an open hand slap.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
James misses with a straight right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spartan moves out of range of the leg kick from James.
Spartan misses with an uppercut. James saw that one coming.
Spartan throws a lazy right hand but James sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
James tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Spartan manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
James cracks Spartan with an open hand slap.
James throws a leg kick that misses.
James shoots in and drives through. Spartan sprawls well.
Spartan checks a low kick from James.
James lands a nice looking kick to the body. Spartan takes a step back to recover.
Spartan misses with a right hand
and James counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
James tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Spartan paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Spartan's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
James tries for a takedown but Spartan circles away easily
and Spartan counters with a nice low kick that buckles James's knee momentarily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ron James. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Spartan chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before James can pounce on him.
James throws a body kick that misses.
Ron James is winning the standup battle so far.
James is looking to score with low kicks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Spartan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but James moves away.
Spartan shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
James throws a leg kick
letting Spartan counter with a right hand.
Spartan attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spartan throws a low kick but it's checked well by James.
James checks the leg kick.
James connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ron James dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ron James's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Spartan swinging wildly here.
James throws a jab but it's blocked by Spartan.
James looks to land a body kick but Spartan moved away.
Spartan has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from James.
James misses with a wild combination.
Spartan throws a hook but James blocks it.
James keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Spartan.

James moves into the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Spartan manages to break the clinch.
James has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Spartan.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts James, as that shot connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James throws a leg kick
and Spartan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Good leg kick by James there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Spartan tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and James is able to avoid easily.
Nice defenses there by James.
Spartan takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
James is looking to chop away at Spartan's legs.
James cracks the inside of Spartan's front leg.
Spartan with a hook.
James takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
An inside leg kick lands from James.
James moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
James throws a leg kick which misses Spartan's front leg but catches the back leg as Spartan tries to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Spartan swinging wildly here.
A jab from Spartan misses.
James throws the kick towards the body but Spartan avoids it.
James tries to land a front kick but Spartan steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Spartan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from James.
Spartan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Spartan looks to throw the jab but James is out of range.
A shot to the liver by James. Beautiful body shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for James.
James fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Spartan is out of range.
Spartan tries to land a leg kick but James saw it coming and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
James has a takedown stuffed.
Spartan thumps James with a low kick.
James misses with a head kick.
James is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Spartan throws a right and a left that James avoids nicely.
James on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Spartan. Spartan obviously looking to wear him down.
James slips a jab and a cross from Spartan.
Spartan swinging wildly here.
Ron James is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Spartan lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Spartan lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Spartan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James shoots in looking for a takedown. Spartan tries to sprawl out of it but James keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Spartan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
James tries a head kick but it misses.
Matt Spartan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Spartan misses with a combination

and James counters with a single leg into guard. Spartan didn't expect that.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Spartan is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
James's corner is telling him to maintain position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ron James.
Well James has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 30:28
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ron James!
Ron James managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Stonewall, into his post fight interview.