PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Burl Buckley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jesse James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: iPhone - Ringtone (MetroGnome Remix) . I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Buckley
vs
James

154 cm
18
214 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
200 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Burl Buckley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jesse James!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Leandro Rodrigues and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James throws a right and a left that both miss.

James gets a takedown into half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
James tries to stand and escape but Buckley actually recovers to full guard.
Buckley throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Buckley might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
James wants to stand but Buckley has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Buckley has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
James not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
James really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Buckley. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
James tries to stand but Buckley is controlling from the bottom.
Buckley looking to hit a scissor sweep but James is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James stands and steps away. Buckley gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
James tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Buckley paws at him with a jab and circles away.
James moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
James misses with a jab, cross combination.
James throws a head kick that misses.
Buckley has a takedown stuffed.
James throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Buckley dodges the punch combination from James.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Buckley.

James gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Buckley's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
James misses with a jab, cross combination.
James shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Buckley eats them both and turns towards James to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
James looks winded!
James throws a right and a left that Buckley avoids nicely.

James has closed the distance and engaged Buckley in a clinch.

Buckley's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

James shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buckley gets full guard.
Buckley lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
James keeping moving, preventing Buckley from controlling successfully.
James not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Buckley controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Buckley decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on James, up you get!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Buckley shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Buckley showed some decent athleticism there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Buckley throwing shots but James is blocking nicely.
Buckley lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
James won't allow Buckley to pass to mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Buckley throwing shots but James is blocking nicely.
Buckley is looking to take a break and control but James is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Buckley sitting and controlling from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jesse James will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Buckley's hands are dropping dangerously low here and James connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Buckley scrambles back to his feet.
James will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Horrible takedown attempt by Buckley or perhaps it was just good defense by James, which made it look bad.
Buckley shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. James defends it nicely.
Buckley could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

James shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Buckley's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James wants to stand and escape but instead Buckley has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
James not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

James is working an open guard so Buckley takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Buckley takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
James is breathing heavily.
James looks to clinch
and Buckley counters with a low kick, right behind James 's knee.
James will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
James tries to bum rush Buckley with a series of wild strikes but Buckley uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Buckley slips a jab and a cross from James.
Buckley changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. James tries to avoid it but Buckley manages to keep hold of a leg and drag James to the ground. James escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Burl Buckley. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Buckley shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with James but James pushes him off and we're back to square one.

James fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Buckley sprawls well initially but James persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Buckley is trying to get back to full guard.
James tries to stand and escape but Buckley is controlling the position.

Buckley has one foot on James's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
James tries to clinch there but Buckley circles away.
James keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - James scores with a four punch combination!
James moves in looking to clinch but Buckley pushes him off.
James throws a series of punches but Buckley moves out of range.
Buckley shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as James sprawls well. James wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Buckley gets slowly back to his feet.

James drives through and clinches with Buckley against the cage.

Buckley breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
James misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from James. Those never looked like landing.
James misses with a two punch combination.

James is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Buckley's half guard.
Buckley is controlling James's trapped leg to prevent James from advancing to side control.
James wants to pass to mount but Buckley is defending the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
James thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Buckley's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse James showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

James misses with a double jab.
Jesse James seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

James shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Buckley wants to sweep but no luck.

James stands up and waves to Buckley to follow him.

James fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Buckley to the ground. James is now in Buckley's guard.
James is looking to stand up but Buckley won't let him.
Buckley is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
James takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Buckley sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James is defending against the submission attempts here by Buckley.
Buckley passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for James!
Buckley misses with a head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James tries to lock up and control but Buckley gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Buckley throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
James wants to hold on but Buckley pushes him away.
Buckley controlling the position easily from mount.

Buckley looking for a guillotine from mount but James is having none of it.
James is squirming around, avoiding Buckley's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James taking shots to the head.
James sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Buckley is taking a breather. James says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Buckley wants to take a breather but James is having none of it.

Buckley decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Buckley shoots in but James avoids the takedown attempt easily.
James is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
James throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Buckley.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Buckley shoots in and bounces James off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Buckley wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.
James is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Jesse James is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Buckley throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as James works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Buckley gets to his feet. James looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Burl Buckley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James moves out of range of the body kick from Buckley.

And that's the end of the fight!
Burl Buckley showed his dominance in that final round.
I think James 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:29
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Jesse James!
Jesse James decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.