PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Giorgio Girardi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Jones
vs
Girardi

175 cm
25
140 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

174 cm
21
155 lbs
4 - 1 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight 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, Xavier Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Giorgio Girardi!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Roger Salmon and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Girardi walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Jones wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Jones rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Girardi counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Jones is looking to improve his position.
Jones is working hard here to advance position.

Girardi is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Girardi wants to pass to mount but Jones is defending the position.

Girardi is looking for a kimura but Jones is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Girardi to get the leverage.

Girardi is looking for a kimura here.
Jones has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

Girardi is working for a submission of some sort.

Girardi seems to be working for a kimura but Jones defends the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Girardi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Girardi seems to be working for a kimura but Jones defends the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Girardi is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Jones is looking to improve his position.

Girardi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Jones is just riding it out for now. Girardi eventually gives up the hold.

Girardi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Jones is just riding it out for now. Girardi eventually gives up the hold.
Jones on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Jones tries to get out of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones trying to control here.
Jones is looking to improve his position.
Jones is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Girardi's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Girardi's back!

Girardi manages to escape to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jones misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Girardi.
Girardi misses with a takedown attempt
and Jones counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Girardi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Girardi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Jones defends well and Girardi ends up having to push Jones into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Girardi wants a takedown.
Xavier Jones has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Giorgio Girardi.
Girardi tries to score a body lock takedown but Jones shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Jones breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jones tests Girardi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Girardi fails with a takedown attempt.
Xavier Jones is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Girardi on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Jones lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Jones lands with a shot to the body.
Girardi fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jones connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jones misses with a shot to the body

and Girardi counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Jones looking for a sweep. Not yet Jones, not yet.
Girardi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Jones working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Girardi.
Girardi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Girardi trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Girardi working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Girardi might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Jones haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Girardi drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Girardi jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Girardi thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Girardi postures up.
Jones knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Girardi on the ground.
Jones wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Girardi trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Girardi preventing the sweep.
Girardi working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Girardi with a nice head shot there.

Girardi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Jones has momentary wrist control but Girardi slips an elbow through the middle.
Jones utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Girardi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Jones pulls Girardi in close to his closed guard and prevents Girardi from doing any damage or advancing position.
Girardi preventing the sweep.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Girardi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Girardi throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Girardi wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.
Girardi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Girardi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Girardi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Girardi scoring with punches to the head and body.
Jones wants to sweep but no luck.
Jones is pulling down on Girardi's head. It's preventing any offense from Girardi, at least for the moment.
Girardi landing with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Girardi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Jones has Girardi pulled in close to control his posture.

Girardi drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Girardi jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Jones tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Girardi drops back looking for a leg! Jones is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Jones manages to kick Girardi off! Girardi jumps back into Jones's guard.
Girardi 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.

Girardi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Girardi throws a big right hand that misses.

Girardi drops back looking for a leg! Jones is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Jones manages to kick Girardi off! Girardi jumps back into Jones's guard.

Girardi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Jones looking to hit a scissor sweep but Girardi is one step ahead there.
Giorgio Girardi has got the better of the ground game so far.

Girardi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Girardi wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.
Girardi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Girardi won't allow Jones to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Giorgio Girardi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Jones throws a shot from downtown. Girardi moves away and avoids it.
Girardi shoots in looking for a takedown but Jones manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Girardi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Jones lands with a straight right. Girardi didn't see that one coming.
Jones pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Jones thows a body shot but no joy.
Girardi takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Jones connects with a looping right hand.
Girardi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Jones throws out the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Girardi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The fighters circling - Jones throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Girardi takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Girardi connects with a jab.
Girardi shoots in for a double leg but Jones sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Xavier Jones has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Giorgio Girardi.
Jones dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Xavier Jones is winning the standup battle so far.
Jones jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Jones misses with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Girardi takes one to the chin there.
Jones connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Girardi misses with a takedown
and Jones counters with a nice uppercut.
Jones lands with a hook. Girardi tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Girardi moves out of range as Jones strikes.
Jones looks to land a combination but Girardi avoids it well.
Girardi looks for a takedown but Jones sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Girardi takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Girardi avoids the body shot from Jones.
Jones throws a series of punches but Girardi avoids them all with ease.
Girardi has a takedown stuffed.
Girardi fails with a takedown attempt.
Girardi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jones tests Girardi's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones lands with an overhand left.
Jones scores with a nice right hand.
Jones throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Girardi counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jones is trying to control the position but Girardi postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jones has momentary wrist control but Girardi slips an elbow through the middle.

Girardi thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Jones avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xavier Jones showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Girardi has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Josh West scores the fight for Giorgio Girardi!
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight for Giorgio Girardi!
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight for Giorgio Girardi!

Giorgio Girardi wins by unanimous decision!
Giorgio Girardi was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.