PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Jo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Russell Spaeth (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.

Jo
vs
Spaeth

225 cm
24
197 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, James Jo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Russell Spaeth!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spaeth is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Spaeth darts in looking for a takedown but Jo gets double underhooks and turns Spaeth into the cage.
Jo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Spaeth wants to break free but Jo has control.
Spaeth is looking to take this one to the mat.
Spaeth is trying to maintain a safe position but Jo gets an underhook and turns Spaeth into the cage.
Spaeth will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Jo up against the cage.
Spaeth misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Jo.
Spaeth stalling in the clinch but Jo improves position.
Jo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Spaeth is looking to take this one to the mat.
James Jo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Russell Spaeth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jo wants to get back to striking at distance but Spaeth won't allow it.
Spaeth drops down looking for an ankle pick but Jo pulls his leg out and moves away.
Jo misses with a takedown attempt - Spaeth sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jo has a takedown stuffed.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Spaeth.
Jo fails with a takedown attempt.
Jo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jo really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Spaeth throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Jo's waist but Jo gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Spaeth off to one side.
James Jo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Spaeth closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jo circles away.
Jo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Spaeth.
Spaeth looks winded!

Spaeth tries to keep at a distance but Jo has taken the fight into the clinch.

Spaeth jumps into guard, dragging Jo to the mat.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Jo looking to pass the guard.
Jo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Jo looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jo wants to control from the top but Spaeth keeps moving.
Spaeth lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Jo!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spaeth avoids the attempt from Jo to control.
Jo prevents any damage by holding on tight.
Jo is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Jo regains half guard.
Jo wants to get back to full guard.

Jo actively working from the bottom here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jo regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Spaeth.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that James Jo will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Jo.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Spaeth.
Jo scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Spaeth slips a jab and a cross from Jo.
Jo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Spaeth's waist but Spaeth gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Jo off to one side.
Jo shoots in but Spaeth avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Jo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jo avoids the head kick by Spaeth.
Spaeth is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jo doesn't manage to clinch there - Spaeth circles away.

Spaeth has closed the distance and engaged Jo in a clinch.
Jo is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Spaeth pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jo wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Spaeth has him pressed against the cage.

Spaeth jumps guard and drags Jo to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Spaeth is keeping the position for now.
Jo slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Spaeth is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Jo throwing strikes but missing.
Spaeth looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Russell Spaeth has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Jo throws a leg kick
and Spaeth counters with a slapping leg kick.
Spaeth swings widly with a right hand
letting Jo counter with a right hand.
Spaeth looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Jo shoots in for a takedown but Spaeth shows good takedown defense.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Jo blocks a head kick by Spaeth.
Spaeth moves in looking to clinch but Jo pushes him off.
Jo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Spaeth looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Jo is fending him off so far but Spaeth persists. Nope, Jo circles away and we're back to standing.
Spaeth tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Jo swivels and escapes.
Jo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
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!
No luck for Jo with that takedown attempt.
Spaeth shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Jo as he avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spaeth slaps away a takedown attempt from Jo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Spaeth shoots for a double leg takedown but Jo sprawls well. He's pushed Spaeth's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jo is looking to clinch.
Jo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Spaeth pinned against the cage. Spaeth gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Spaeth fails with the takedown.
Jo works over Spaeth's head and body with a nice combination.
James Jo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Spaeth looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Jo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Spaeth sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jo somewhat.
Jo misses with a few strikes there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spaeth lands a high kick!
Spaeth swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sloppy strikes from Jo. Those never looked like landing.
Jo fails to land with a series of punches.
Spaeth wants to clinch up but Jo keeps it at a distance.
Spaeth stuffs the takedown.
Spaeth fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spaeth slaps away a takedown attempt from Jo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Jo fails to land the takedown.
Jo throws a nice looking combination but Spaeth bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
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 Jo will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Spaeth tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Jo swivels and escapes.
Jo misses with a low kick as Spaeth jumps back.
Jo leaves Spaeth with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Jo comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Jo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Spaeth sprawls well. Spaeth wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Jo gets slowly back to his feet.
Jo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Spaeth is fending him off so far but Jo persists. Nope, Spaeth circles away and we're back to standing.
Spaeth throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Jo counters with a series of strikes. Spaeth will be more careful next time no doubt.

Jo clinches up against the cage.
Come on Spaeth - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Jo tries to circle away but Spaeth has him pinned against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jo wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Spaeth has him pressed against the cage.
Spaeth tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jo just stands there and leans against the cage.
James Jo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Russell Spaeth.
Spaeth goes for a takedown in the clinch but Jo prevents it.
Spaeth jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Jo walks away with a smile on his face. Spaeth gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Jo throws a right hand that Spaeth ducks under and follows up with a left that Spaeth also avoids with ease.
Jo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Spaeth misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A punch combination from Jo misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jo has closed the distance and engaged Spaeth in a clinch.
Spaeth tries to score a body lock takedown but Jo shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Jo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Spaeth wants a takedown but no success here.
Jo is trying to force a seperation but Spaeth has the dominant position.
Spaeth tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Spaeth prevents Jo from breaking the clinch.
Spaeth misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jo wants to break free but Spaeth has control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spaeth is looking to break free of the clinch but Jo has double underhooks.
Spaeth looking for a takedown.
Jo lands a left hand that snaps the head of Spaeth backwards.
Jo wants to break the clinch but can't.
Jo lands with a right to the head.
Spaeth being controlled against the cage.
Jo is trying to break the clinch but Spaeth is controlling him.
Spaeth is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Jo is defending well for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spaeth wants to break free but Jo has control.
Spaeth trying to stall but Jo improves his position.
Jo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Spaeth fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Jo shoots in but no luck this time.
Jo avoids the head kick by Spaeth.
Jo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Spaeth sprawls well. Spaeth wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Jo gets slowly back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Spaeth lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Jo throws a right hand that Spaeth ducks under and follows up with a left that Spaeth also avoids with ease.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Jo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Jo 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 Andi Peters scores the fight for James Jo!
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight for James Jo!
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight for Russell Spaeth!

James Jo wins by split decision!