PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between James Nickson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benoit Jutras (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Benoit Jutras is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Nickson
vs
Jutras

172 cm
27
158 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

176 cm
24
162 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Fury Nutrition Inc.
Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, James Nickson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Benoit Jutras!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Ian Loll and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nickson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nickson swats away the attempt to clinch by Jutras.
Nickson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Jutras shoots in for a double leg but Nickson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nickson definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Nickson circles away from the clinch attempt.

Jutras has managed to clinch.
Jutras working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Nickson is pressed up against the cage. Jutras has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nickson down to the mat. Nickson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nickson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A combination from Nickson does no damage.
Jutras will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
James Nickson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benoit Jutras.
Jutras doesn't manage to clinch there - Nickson circles away.
Nickson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Nickson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Jutras momentarily.
Nickson works over Jutras's head and body with a nice combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jutras tries to clinch up
and Nickson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nice takedown defense from Nickson. No joy for Jutras on that attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jutras tries to close the distance and clinch but Nickson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nickson connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Jutras is looking to clinch.
Jutras wants to clinch up but Nickson keeps it at a distance.
Nickson lands a nice looking body shot.
Nickson thuds a left hand into Jutras's body.

Jutras has managed to clinch.
Nickson is trying to break the clinch but Jutras has him pressed against the cage.

Jutras has clasped his hands together around Nickson's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Jutras working the ground and pound but Nickson is defending the strikes.
An elbow from Jutras crashes against the mat.
Nickson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Nickson tries to get out of the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jutras trying to control the position but Nickson is working away.
Nickson is looking to regain half guard here but Jutras keeps moving and retains side control.
Jutras slows the pace down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Jutras seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Jutras misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Jutras wants to control but Nickson is keeping him busy.
Nickson dodges the ground and pound from Jutras.
Jutras throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Nickson works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Nickson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Jutras lands with a punch from half guard.
Jutras throwing shots but Nickson is blocking nicely.
Jutras sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nickson defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jutras trying to control the action but Nickson is working from the bottom.
Nickson has hold of Jutras's hands but Jutras slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Jutras looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Jutras thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Jutras not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Jutras throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Nickson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jutras.
Nickson is refusing to be controlled, as Jutras sits in half guard.
Jutras missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Jutras missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Jutras throws a strike but Nickson avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jutras accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Jutras looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Nickson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Jutras is looking to work some ground and pound but Nickson has wrist control.
Jutras throws a big right hand that misses.
Jutras with a flurry of punches that miss.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jutras loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Jutras postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Jutras scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Jutras with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Jutras lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jutras throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jutras accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Jutras throwing strikes from guard but Nickson blocks nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benoit Jutras dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Jutras gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Jutras tries to work over Nickson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nickson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Jutras lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Jutras tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nickson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Jutras tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Jutras misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Jutras misses with a hook to the ribs.
Jutras is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Nickson is defending well.
Jutras misses with a body punch.
Nickson is looking to break free of the clinch but Jutras has double underhooks.
A nice left hand lands by Jutras.
Jutras tries to throw a body punch but Nickson avoids it by throwing Jutras back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jutras tries a body shot but Nickson blocks it.
Nickson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Nickson blocking some punches.
Jutras goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Jutras tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Jutras lands a left hand.
Jutras tries a body shot but Nickson blocks it.
Nickson is trying to break the clinch but Jutras is controlling him.
Jutras misses with a punch to the body.
Jutras misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jutras struggles to land a body shot inside as Nickson controls his hands.
Jutras lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Nickson backwards.
Nickson working hard to break the clinch.
Jutras lands a body shot in the clinch.
Jutras drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jutras wants to take the fight to the mat but Nickson manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
James Nickson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benoit Jutras.
Jutras tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nickson has had enough of the clinch but Jutras keeps him there for the moment.
Nickson prevents a body shot from Jutras.
Nice body punch from Jutras - that landed with a thud.
Jutras tries to throw a body punch but Nickson avoids it by throwing Jutras back against the cage.
Jutras doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Jutras prevents Nickson from breaking the clinch.
Jutras throws a head punch that misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jutras swings wildly with an uppercut but Nickson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jutras digs a right hand into Nickson's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Nickson's gas tank.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nickson prevents a body shot from Jutras.
Nickson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jutras fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Jutras looking for a takedown.
Jutras has Nickson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Nickson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Nickson wants to get back to striking at distance but Jutras won't allow it.
Jutras tries for a takedown but Nickson manages to get underhooks.
Jutras has Nickson pressed against the cage, preventing Nickson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Nickson is trying to force a seperation but Jutras has the dominant position.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Jutras.
A head punch on the inside from Jutras fails to land.
Jutras tries to throw a body punch but Nickson avoids it by throwing Jutras back against the cage.
Nickson tries to break free but Jutras pushes him back against the cage.
Nickson tries to break free but Jutras pushes him back against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Jutras fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jutras struggles to land a body shot inside as Nickson controls his hands.
Jutras misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Benoit Jutras seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A short body shot lands from Jutras as the two fighters clinch.
Nickson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Jutras.
Jutras swings wildly with an uppercut but Nickson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nickson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nickson.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nickson has had enough of the clinch but Jutras keeps him there for the moment.
Nickson tries to circle away but Jutras has him pinned against the cage.
Jutras lands a hook to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nickson blocking some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benoit Jutras showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Jutras is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Nickson.
Nickson lands with a hook. Jutras tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Nickson misses with a double jab.

Jutras drives through and clinches with Nickson against the cage.
Good body shot from Jutras.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nickson.
Jutras has Nickson pressed against the cage, preventing Nickson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Nickson prevents a body shot from Jutras.
Jutras changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Nickson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Jutras shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Donk. Nickson catches Jutras right on the button with a cross.
Nickson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nickson wants it to stay on the feet.
James Nickson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benoit Jutras.
Nickson with a jab.
Nickson circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jutras is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Jutras shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Nickson is refusing to be controlled, as Jutras sits in half guard.
Nickson is trying to get back to full guard.
Jutras throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Nickson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Jutras's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Jutras's back!
Jutras tries to escape the position.
Nickson controlling from the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nickson nearly escaped from the position there.
Jutras is really stuck here.
Nickson keeps control of the position easily here as Jutras tries to buck him off.
Jutras manages to reverse the position and now he's in Nickson's guard. Nice work there by Jutras.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nickson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Jutras trying to control the position from guard on top but Nickson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nickson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Jutras!
Nickson is looking to stand but Nickson has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickson tries to stand up but Jutras had a hold of his arm and he's managed to perform a nice reversal, into half guard.
Nickson trying to hold on to Jutras's head to control him but Jutras postures up.
Jutras throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Jutras prevents Nickson from improving his position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jutras missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Jutras moves nicely into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Benoit Jutras just about did enough to take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Jutras takes a jab right on the kisser.

Jutras rushes Nickson and presses him up against the cage.
Nickson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Jutras misses with a body punch.
Nickson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Jutras tries to throw a body punch but Nickson avoids it by throwing Jutras back against the cage.
Jutras scores with a nice hook to the head.

Nickson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jutras uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nickson.
Jutras is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Jutras closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Jutras throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Nickson to regain full guard.
Jutras working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Jutras is pushing down on Nickson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Nickson is fighting to maintain full guard but Jutras has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickson is looking to improve his position.
Jutras winds up and cracks Nickson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Nickson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Jutras in particular looking to stall.
Nickson taking some punishment here, with Jutras in his half guard.
Benoit Jutras has got the better of the ground game so far.
Jutras thows a huge punch but Nickson dodges it nicely.
Jutras not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nickson is refusing to be controlled, as Jutras sits in half guard.
Jutras lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jutras thows a huge punch but Nickson dodges it nicely.
Nickson is looking to escape.
Jutras seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Jutras has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Jutras throwing shots but Nickson is blocking nicely.
Jutras scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jutras lands strikes from half guard.
Jutras throwing shots but Nickson is blocking nicely.
Jutras thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Nickson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jutras.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Jutras throws a strike but Nickson avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Jutras landing with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jutras loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nickson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Jutras throwing strikes from guard but Nickson blocks nicely.
Jutras looking to sit in guard and control but Nickson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Jutras wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickson wants to stand but Jutras has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Jutras looking for a sweep. Not yet Jutras, not yet.
Jutras managing to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Jutras looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nickson is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benoit Jutras dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Nickson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jutras moves in looking to clinch but Nickson pushes him off.
Nickson closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Jutras tries to clinch but Nickson moves out of range.
Nickson throws the left hand but Jutras avoids the punch easily.
Nickson jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Jutras drives through and clinches with Nickson against the cage.
Nickson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Nickson tries to break free but Jutras pushes him back against the cage.

Jutras has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Nickson clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Jutras somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Jutras's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jutras scores with punches from the back.
Jutras is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Jutras gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Jutras gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Jutras apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Jutras is looking to clinch but Nickson is avoiding it.
Jutras has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Jutras closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Nickson did well to prevent Jutras getting side control.
Jutras is trying to control the action in half guard but Nickson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Nickson tries to roll over but Jutras keeps him under control.
Nickson pushes Jutras off looking to stand but Jutras dives back in and keeps control.
Jutras thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Nickson is looking to escape.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Jutras drops an elbow to the side of Nickson's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jutras sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nickson defending well though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jutras thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jutras lands with a punch from half guard.
Nickson is looking to escape.
Nickson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Jutras scores with a couple of nice shots.
Nickson is not content to let Jutras control the position.
Jutras wants to pass to mount but Nickson is defending the position.
Jutras thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Jutras lands with a punch from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jutras throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Jutras landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Jutras scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Jutras looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Jutras seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nickson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Benoit Jutras is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Well, if Jutras is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Jutras's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nickson missing with a left hand there. Jutras was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
James Nickson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Jutras looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Jutras controls from within his opponent's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
James Nickson 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.

And that's the end of the fight!
Benoit Jutras comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Jutras winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Peck scores the fight 46:50
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 46:50
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Benoit Jutras!
Benoit Jutras is the new lightweight champion!
After the fight, Benoit Jutras was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.