PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jesse James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Drake Koji (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.

James
vs
Koji

180 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Demonic Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight 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, Jesse James!
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, Drake Koji!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Daniel Cesar and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

James bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Koji is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Koji is not content to let James control the position.
Koji wants to control but James postures up.
Koji is looking for a sweep.

James tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no James has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
James working away.
James happy to just control the position for now.

James looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

James shoots in and bounces Koji off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koji is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Koji wants to get back to his feet but James is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
James in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Koji wants to sweep here but James controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Koji pulls James in close to prevent any damage.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Koji moves in looking to clinch but James pushes him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Koji throws a right and a left that James avoids nicely.
Koji throws a combination but it was largely blocked by James.
Koji throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Koji throws a series of punches but James avoids them all with ease.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Koji, as that shot connected.
James avoids a punch combination nicely.

James scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
James advances nicely into full mount.
James misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James prevents Koji from getting the reversal.
James controlling his opponent.
James tries to control but Koji wriggling away.
Koji is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

James working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koji wants to hold on but James pushes him away.
James looking to control but Koji is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Koji is working to get back to half guard.
James is trying to take his opponent's back.
Koji is looking to get to half guard.
Koji regains half guard.
James is breathing heavily.
James is looking to advance position but Koji won't allow it.
Koji trying to control here.
James controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Koji gets back to full guard.
James postures up.
James passes Koji's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Koji wants to control but James is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Koji blocking the ground and pound attempt from James.
James is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Koji moves into full guard.
Koji working a defensive guard here.
James stops Koji from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse James dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A slapping leg kick lands for Koji.
Koji misses with the combination.
Koji doesn't succeed with the takedown

and James counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Koji looking to control.
James throws a big right hand that misses.
James trying to control but Koji is working from the bottom.
Koji keeping full guard, as James tries to pass.
Koji trying to control the position.
James looking to pass the guard.

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

Koji has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but James can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

James moves into range and clinches up with Koji.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James landing some nice looking knees to the body.
James prevents Koji from breaking the clinch.

Koji breaks the clinch.
James takes one on the button.
Koji swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
James takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Koji fails to land with a series of punches.
Koji moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
An inside leg kick from James misses.
Koji throws a hook to the side of James's head but James sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Koji keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
James avoids a punch combination nicely.
Koji closes the distance but James moves to the side

and James decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Koji's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koji wants to sweep but no luck.
James stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Koji swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Koji throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
James trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Koji is trying to control the position but James postures up.
James advances position into side control!

James working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Koji manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Koji trying to control the action but James is working from the bottom.
James is trying to maintain the position but Koji is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koji tries to pass to full mount but James defends it.

Koji decides to stand and escape the position.
James has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
A big right from Koji misses.
Koji throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Drake Koji seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Koji tries to clinch but fails miserably

and James counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Koji!
Koji tries to hold on but James pushes him away.
Koji tries to reverse the position but James maintains control.
Koji tries to lock up and control but James gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

James looking for a guillotine from mount but Koji is having none of it.
Koji wants to control but James is having none of it.

James looking for a guillotine from mount but Koji is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James throwing strikes here but Koji is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
James fails to advance to Koji's back.
James controlling the position easily from mount.
Jesse James overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Koji has left one of his arms exposed and James doesn't need a second invitation. He's isolated it and locked on a tight armbar. Koji screams and taps out, obviously in a lot of pain. Hopefully there isn't permanent damage to that arm.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:41 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Jesse James!