PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Clayton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jon Targaryen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Clayton comes to the cage accompanied by Jungle War Drums!. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Clayton
vs
Targaryen

200 cm
26
200 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

188 cm
23
175 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, John Clayton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jon Targaryen!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Konstantin Menshow and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Clayton has managed to clinch.
Targaryen lands with a short shot to the head.
Targaryen is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Targaryen is pushing Clayton up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Clayton's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Clayton fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Targaryen, pushing him back against the cage.
Clayton lands a left hand that snaps the head of Targaryen backwards.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Targaryen.
Clayton fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Clayton lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Clayton throws a punch but it's blocked by Targaryen.
Targaryen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Targaryen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Clayton has managed to clinch.
Targaryen letting Clayton take a breather here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Clayton blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Targaryen tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Clayton smiles and moves away.

Clayton has Targaryen up against the cage in a clinch.
Clayton has a couple of punches blocked by Targaryen.

Targaryen pulls guard effortlessly.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Clayton trying to stand up but can't free himself from Targaryen's guard.
Targaryen looking for a sweep. Not yet Targaryen, not yet.

Targaryen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Targaryen working for submissions but it's allowed Clayton to get to half guard.
Clayton not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clayton is thwarting Targaryen's attempts to control the position.

Targaryen is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Clayton pulls his head out easily.
Clayton lands strikes from half guard.
Clayton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Targaryen keeps working.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Targaryen is looking to control Clayton's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Targaryen avoid being mounted?
Targaryen moves into full guard.

Clayton avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Targaryen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Clayton is aware though and is defending well.
Clayton throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Targaryen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Clayton trying to control the position from guard on top but Targaryen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Clayton will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Targaryen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Clayton gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Targaryen trying to keep a closed guard but Clayton is proving a slippery customer.
Clayton controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Clayton wanted to stand there but Targaryen had control of the position.

Targaryen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Clayton doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Clayton manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Targaryen controls Clayton momentarily but Clayton frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clayton loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Targaryen manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Clayton is desperately trying to improve his position but Targaryen has a good base and remains in mount.
Targaryen lands a heavy elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Targaryen tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Clayton is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Targaryen thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jon Targaryen 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.

Clayton forces Targaryen back against the cage and clinches.
Targaryen tries to stall but Clayton uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Targaryen breaks the clinch.
Targaryen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Targaryen takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Clayton moves into the clinch.
Targaryen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Targaryen lands a nice uppercut.
Clayton misses with a hook from the clinch.
Targaryen misses with some punches.

Clayton has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Targaryen clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
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!
Clayton is trying to stick to Targaryen's back but Targaryen is turning into Clayton. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Clayton's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Targaryen.
Jon Targaryen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Clayton has Targaryen pulled in close to control his posture.
Targaryen tries to free his leg and advance position but Clayton is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clayton avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Targaryen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Targaryen trying to control but Clayton is working from the bottom.
Targaryen distracts Clayton with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Clayton trying to keep a closed guard but Targaryen is proving a slippery customer.
Targaryen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Targaryen prevents Clayton from getting back to his feet.
Targaryen trying to control but Clayton is working from the bottom.
Targaryen throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clayton is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Targaryen is controlling him.
Targaryen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Clayton is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Targaryen tries to free his leg and advance position but Clayton is retaining full guard.
Targaryen looking to sit in guard and control but Clayton gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Targaryen looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Targaryen controls Clayton momentarily but Clayton frees himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Targaryen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Clayton gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Targaryen looking to control.
Clayton stopping the sweep attempt from Targaryen.
Clayton chips away with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Targaryen doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Targaryen. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Clayton looking to sit in guard and control but Targaryen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Clayton is looking to sweep but instead, Targaryen has passed into half guard.
Targaryen thows a huge punch but Clayton dodges it nicely.
Targaryen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Clayton keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Targaryen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
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!
Targaryen trying to advance position but Clayton counters by regaining guard.
Clayton wants to stand up but Targaryen is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Targaryen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Targaryen avoids the head kick by Clayton.
Targaryen misses with a right hand

and Clayton holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Targaryen creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Clayton manages to pull guard.
Targaryen distracts Clayton with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Targaryen wants to control from the top but Clayton keeps moving.
Targaryen wants to pass the guard but Clayton is keeping the position.
Targaryen slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Clayton is not content to let Targaryen control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An elbow from Targaryen crashes against the mat.
Clayton is looking to reverse the position.
Targaryen working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Targaryen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Clayton, who protects the arm well.
Clayton prevents Targaryen from improving position.

Targaryen goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Clayton rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Targaryen's guard! Nice work there by Clayton!
Targaryen trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Targaryen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Targaryen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Targaryen is working an open guard so Clayton takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Targaryen uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Targaryen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Clayton.

Clayton forces Targaryen back against the cage and clinches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A quick uppercut on the inside from Clayton.
Targaryen fails to pull guard.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Targaryen.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Targaryen is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
John Clayton has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Targaryen scores with a shot to the side of Clayton's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clayton lands a shoulder strike.
A nice left hand lands by Targaryen.
Targaryen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Targaryen tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Targaryen taking a breather.
Clayton lands with a light punch inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Clayton throws a punch but it's blocked by Targaryen.
Targaryen lands an uppercut.
Clayton prevents a takedown attempt there.
John Clayton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jon Targaryen.
Clayton lands a hook that snaps the head of Targaryen backwards.

Targaryen pulls Clayton into guard.
Jon Targaryen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Targaryen is on top in guard.
John Clayton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Targaryen prevents Clayton from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Targaryen trying to control but Clayton is working from the bottom.
Targaryen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Clayton tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Clayton keeping moving, preventing Targaryen from controlling successfully.
Clayton is looking to stand up but Targaryen isn't so interested in that idea.
Targaryen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Clayton working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Targaryen.
Targaryen showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jon Targaryen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Targaryen 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jon Targaryen!
Jon Targaryen decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.