PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Preston Weaver (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wesley Jennings (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.

Weaver
vs
Jennings

203 cm
25
203 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
19
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Preston Weaver!
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, Wesley Jennings!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Leandro Rodrigues and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jennings fails in his attempt to clinch.
Jennings throws a left and a right that both miss
and Weaver counters with a series of strikes. Jennings will be more careful next time no doubt.
Jennings tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Weaver. Jennings does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jennings throws a wild body kick that Weaver sees coming a mile off.
Some wild striking there from Jennings.

Jennings tries to sprawl but Weaver drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Weaver is pressing down on Jennings's thigh, looking to free his foot. Jennings is holding on for now.
Weaver trying to control from half guard but Jennings is working away.
Jennings is looking to control Weaver's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Jennings avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jennings is refusing to be controlled, as Weaver sits in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jennings is looking to escape.
Weaver not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Jennings wants to improve his position but Weaver is controlling well.

Weaver stands up from half guard.
Jennings falls off balance throwing a combination

and Weaver counters by clinching up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Weaver breaks the clinch.

Jennings pushes Weaver up against the cage in a clinch.

Weaver gets control of Jennings's arms and successfully pulls guard. Weaver will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Jennings with a flurry of punches that miss.

Weaver is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Weaver trying to control the position.

Weaver pushes Jennings off and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jennings throws a head kick that misses.

Weaver throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Jennings was covering up waiting for the punch and Weaver finishes the takedown easily into guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Jennings is on top in guard.
Weaver will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Weaver managing to control the position.
Jennings would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jennings got a little sloppy there for a moment and Weaver has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Jennings has managed to get both his arms back between Weaver's legs - danger averted.
Jennings preventing the sweep.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jennings postures up in Weaver's guard and throws a big left but Weaver blocks it.

Weaver scrambles and gets back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Preston Weaver dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Jennings tries to clinch up
and Weaver counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Jennings throws a left and a right that both miss
and Weaver connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Weaver shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Jennings manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Weaver trying to control the position from guard on top but Jennings is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jennings has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Weaver has passed into side control.
Jennings is trying to control Weaver's posture but Weaver avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jennings is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Weaver is controlling him well.

Weaver is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Jennings knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The ground and pound from Weaver seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Weaver moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jennings tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Weaver trying to control.
Jennings is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jennings covering up well and avoiding damage.

Jennings showing good submission defense here.

Weaver has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Jennings has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Weaver missing with punches from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Weaver missing with strikes.
Jennings trying to control but not successfully.
Weaver missing with strikes.
Jennings looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Jennings has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Weaver.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Preston Weaver dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Weaver circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jennings takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Weaver lands with a slapping head kick.

Weaver rushes Jennings and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Weaver keeps control of Jennings as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Weaver with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Weaver is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Jennings can't fight it off and eventually Weaver manages to take the fight to the floor. Jennings looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Weaver pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jennings is keeping the position for now.
Jennings preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Weaver trying to control but Jennings is working from the bottom.
Weaver throwing strikes but missing.
Weaver looking to sit in guard and control but Jennings gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Weaver is trying to control the position but Jennings postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Weaver manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Weaver closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Weaver lands in his opponent's guard.
Jennings wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Weaver manages to pass to side control.

Weaver stands up and beckons Jennings to join him on the feet.

Weaver closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jennings managing to block the knees to the body from Weaver.
Jennings goes for a takedown in the clinch but Weaver prevents it.
Jennings has Weaver pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Weaver manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Jennings takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Weaver has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Jennings uses from the top position.
Weaver has control of Jennings's left arm, preventing Jennings from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jennings trying to control the position from guard on top but Weaver is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Weaver is trying to control the position but Jennings postures up.
Weaver is really struggling to control Jennings but he's trying to hold on to the position.

We're going to have a standup here because Preston Weaver wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Weaver scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Wesley Jennings has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Weaver tries to advance to mount but Jennings denies him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jennings throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Preston Weaver showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Weaver 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Preston Weaver!