PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Ross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alistair Nauman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ross kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Swedish House Mafia-One. 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.

Ross
vs
Nauman

190 cm
19
213 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

189 cm
21
214 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

HGH Nutrients Q160-Q158
Untouchable Fight Nutrition Q160 $125

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, James Ross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Alistair Nauman!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Jorge Garcia and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ross shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Nauman manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ross throws a big right hand that misses.
Ross postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ross lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ross's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Nauman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ross is one step ahead there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nauman preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nauman keeping moving, preventing Ross from controlling successfully.
Ross throws an elbow that misses. Nauman uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ross's guard. Nice move by Nauman!

Nauman drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ross dives on top into guard.
Ross 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.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ross is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nauman keeping moving, preventing Ross from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ross working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Nauman has his foot on Ross's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ross works his way back into a safe position though.

Nauman is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ross working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nauman's head.
Ross loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nauman wants to sweep here but Ross controlling him for the moment.
Ross working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ross postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ross scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ross working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nauman looking for a sweep. Not yet Nauman, not yet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Nauman working for a triangle but Ross defends it easily.
Ross in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ross trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ross throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nauman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ross throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nauman wants to sweep but no luck.
Ross makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Ross working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nauman's head.
Ross throws an elbow that misses. Nauman uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ross's guard. Nice move by Nauman!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ross scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Ross throws a combination that misses

and Nauman holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Nauman breaks the clinch.
Ross ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nauman moves away.
Nauman shoots in but no luck this time.
Nauman will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ross wants to clinch up but Nauman keeps it at a distance.

Ross scores with a takedown into Nauman's guard.
Nauman really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ross. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Ross got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nauman has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ross has managed to get both his arms back between Nauman's legs - danger averted.
Ross landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ross working some strikes from top position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ross connects with a couple of short punches.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ross's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Ross cracks Nauman with a solid left hand.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ross's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Ross scoring with some ground and pound.
Ross throws a big elbow that misses.
Ross trying to control but Nauman is working from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ross working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ross misses with a lunging right hand
and Nauman counters with a head kick.
Nauman shoots in for a takedown but Ross shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ross misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ross throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ross throws a left and a right that both miss
and Nauman counters with a two punch combo.
Ross pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nauman tries for a takedown but Ross sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ross throws a poor cross that misses

and Nauman holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
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!

Nauman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Ross looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Nauman!

Ross is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Nauman is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Nauman dodges the ground and pound from Ross.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ross is chipping away with strikes.
Nauman avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Ross.
Nauman is trying to improve his position.
Ross fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Ross working away.
Nauman on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

Ross is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Nauman is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Nauman wants to get back to his feet.
Ross is working Nauman over with some ground and pound from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nauman is working to avoid the ground and pound but Ross connects with a decent elbow.

Ross is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Nauman has escaped the position, nice work there.
Nauman sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Nauman wants to improve his position but Ross is controlling well.
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!
Ross thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Nauman's head.

Nauman actively working from the bottom here.
Nauman trying to hold on to Ross's head to control him but Ross postures up.
Ross not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ross not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nauman regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Ross.
Nauman wants to stand up but Ross is controlling him.
Ross throwing strikes from guard but Nauman blocks nicely.

Nauman working for a triangle but Ross defends it easily.
Nauman keeping full guard, as Ross tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ross throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Nauman looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ross trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nauman controls Ross momentarily but Ross frees himself.
Ross with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Nauman looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Ross postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nauman avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
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 James Ross 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!

Ross missing with a left hand there. Nauman was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Nauman enables Ross to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Nauman manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Ross lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Ross postures up.
Ross postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ross throws an elbow that misses. Nauman uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ross's guard. Nice move by Nauman!
Nauman would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Ross keeping moving, preventing Nauman from controlling successfully.

Nauman decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Ross, up you get!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nauman throws a head kick that half lands.

Ross shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Nauman takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ross scoring with some ground and pound.
Nauman trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Ross is pushing down on Nauman's leg trying to pass to half guard. Nauman is fighting to maintain full guard but Ross has managed to sneak the leg through.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ross lands a nice short elbow.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Ross connects with a nice short shot to Nauman's temple.

Ross is looking for a kimura but Nauman is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ross to get the leverage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ross missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ross is trying to control. Nauman wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ross prevents Nauman from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nauman gets full guard.
Ross postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Nauman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ross.
Ross postures up and lands a big shot to Nauman's brow.
Ross is in close to Nauman's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ross stopping the sweep attempt from Nauman.
Nauman keeping moving, preventing Ross from controlling successfully.
Nauman utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nauman tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ross looking to pass the guard.
Ross postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ross slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Ross lands an elbow.
Nauman is trying to control Ross's posture but Ross avoids it.
Nauman is trying to improve his position.
Ross trying to control the action but Nauman is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ross lands a few punches from side control.
Nauman takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Nauman throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Nauman defending against the ground and pound.
Nauman is looking to regain half guard here but Ross keeps moving and retains side control.
Nauman wants to get back to his feet.
Alistair Nauman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ross landing a few strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ross tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
James Ross is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ross creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Ross showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ross, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 John Roberts scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Ross!
James Ross thanked the fans post fight for their support.