PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rome Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Messer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jones comes to the cage accompanied by Eminem & Royce Da 5'9 - Above the Law . Mark Messer is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Jones
vs
Messer

183 cm
19
223 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

185 cm
25
205 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rome Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Mark Messer!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Saam Ante and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Messer misses with a two punch combination.
Jones tries to score a power double leg takedown but Messer sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jones somewhat.
Messer steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Jones.
Jones closes this distance looking for a takedown but Messer circles away.

Jones throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Messer was covering up waiting for the punch and Jones finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Messer pulls Jones in close to prevent any damage.
Jones trying to control but Messer is working from the bottom.
Messer preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Messer wants to sweep here but Jones controlling him for the moment.
Jones is looking to work some ground and pound but Messer has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones landing some decent shots from guard.
Jones preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jones throwing strikes but missing.
Messer keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.
Jones is pushing down on Messer's leg trying to pass to half guard. Messer is fighting to maintain full guard but Jones has managed to sneak the leg through.
Messer has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ground and pound from Jones.
Messer blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jones.

Messer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Messer avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Jones.
Messer won't allow Jones to pass to mount.
Jones lands strikes from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jones missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Jones tries to pass the half guard into mount. Messer knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Jones throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Jones not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Jones not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Messer regains full guard. Nicely done.
Jones postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Jones stops Messer from standing up.
Jones scoring with some ground and pound.
Messer avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Messer preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Jones postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Messer wants to sweep but no luck.
Messer is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Jones has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones wants to pass the guard but Messer is keeping the position.
Jones works over Messer with some ground and pound from guard.
Jones is working Messer over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Jones working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jones passes Messer's left leg - he's now in half guard.
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. Jones connects with a nice short shot to Messer's temple.
Messer won't allow Jones to pass to mount.
Jones is working hard here to advance position.
Jones thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Jones thows a huge punch but Messer dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messer tries to roll over but Jones keeps him under control.
Jones is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Messer blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jones.
Jones working over Messer with some ground and pound. Messer looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Jones looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Jones thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Messer's head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jones is just content to waste time from the top position. Messer takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Jones stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Messer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Jones stopping the sweep attempt from Messer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Messer misses with a wild combination.
No luck for Jones with that takedown attempt.
Messer stuffs the takedown attempt from Jones. Jones gets slowly back to his feet.
Jones avoids the body shot from Messer.
Jones shoots for a takedown but Messer saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rome Jones. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Messer throws a body punch but Jones moves out of range.
Jones tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Messer defends well and Jones ends up having to push Messer into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Messer is trying to break the clinch but Jones has him pressed against the cage.
Jones tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Messer escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jones looking to score a takedown here. Messer is defending well but Jones drives through and ends up in Messer's guard.
Messer can't keep his opponent in guard - Jones advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Jones is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Messer reverses the position - he's now on top in Jones's guard.

Jones escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Messer gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Jones throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Messer trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jones looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messer postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Jones not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Jones is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Messer defends well.

Jones looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Messer passes into half guard.
Messer frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Messer get's back to his feet.
Rome Jones is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Jones scores with a takedown into Messer's guard.
Jones wants to pass the guard but Messer is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones is looking to work some ground and pound but Messer has wrist control.
Jones connects with a couple of short punches.
Rome Jones overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Jones trying to control but Messer is working from the bottom.
Jones trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Jones stands and throws Messer's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Messer prevents Jones from improving position.
Messer tries to buck Jones off but Jones is having none of it.

Jones goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Messer rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Jones's guard! Nice work there by Messer!
Messer wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones wants to sweep here but Messer controlling him for the moment.

Jones is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Messer is aware though and is defending well.
Messer wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.

Jones is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Messer defends well.
Messer advances position into side control!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Messer tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rome Jones dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Jones throws a right hand that Messer ducks under and follows up with a left that Messer also avoids with ease.
Jones shoots in and drives through. Messer sprawls well.
Jones shoots and misses
and Messer counters with a one-two to the body.
Jones walks into a stiff left hand from Messer.
A shot to the liver by Messer. Beautiful body shot.
Jones with a poor takedown
and Messer counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rome Jones. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jones fails with the takedown.
Messer swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Messer throws a hook but Jones avoids it easily.

Jones closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Messer's guard.
Jones in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Messer looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones cracks Messer with a solid left hand.
Jones wants to pass the guard but Messer is keeping the position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Jones's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Jones is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Messer is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Messer has escaped and now he's on top!
Jones looking to hit a scissor sweep but Messer is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messer trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Jones looking for a guillotine here but Messer defends easily.
Messer stopping the sweep attempt from Jones.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jones throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Jones manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Messer tries to hold on but Jones postures up.
Messer slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Rome Jones is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Messer trying to control here.
Jones missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messer tries to roll over but Jones keeps him under control.
Jones is looking to pass Messer's guard but actually Messer recovers to full guard.
Jones throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Messer works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Messer looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Jones got a little sloppy there for a moment and Messer has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Jones has managed to get both his arms back between Messer's legs - danger averted.
Messer is trying to control the position but Jones postures up.
Mark Messer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jones seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Jones advances position into side control!

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 Rome Jones.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Jones, 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rome Jones!
A very excited looking Rome Jones made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.