PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Julius Hallava (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jordan James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Julius Hallava has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Hallava
vs
James

194 cm
18
219 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

200 cm
19
204 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Julius Hallava!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jordan James!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, John Kavanagh and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hallava throws a leg kick that misses.
Julius Hallava seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from James.
Hallava looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A head kick misses from Hallava.
No luck for James with that takedown attempt.
Hallava defends well against a solid takedown attempt from James.
Julius Hallava has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jordan James.
Hallava just misses with a punch to the body.
Hallava tries a low kick but James avoids it.
Hallava looks for the body kick but James saw that one coming.

James throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Hallava tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. James is in Hallava's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hallava wants to get back to his feet but James is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
James 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hallava wants to stand and escape but James is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James connects with a couple of short punches.
James pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hallava is keeping the position for now.
James has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Hallava is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
James sitting in guard here, content to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A leg kick checked by James.
Hallava misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
James shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hallava as he jumps to the side.
Hallava throws a right hand that James ducks under and follows up with a left that James also avoids with ease.
Hallava wants to slow James down by chopping away at his legs.
Hallava tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hallava misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nice shot lands for Hallava.

James shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Hallava is trying to defend but James finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

James is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
James not doing much here.
Hallava on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Hallava tries to get out of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hallava avoiding damage under a succession of punches from James.
James stalling.
James is looking to take a break and control but Hallava is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Hallava is trying to stand.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James controlling the action here.
It looks like James might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

James shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
James trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
James told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
James looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hallava throws a nice outside leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Hallava misses.
Hallava lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Hallava connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
James blocks the body kick.
Hallava scores with a jab to the jaw.
James shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hallava but Hallava pushes him off and we're back to square one.
James throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hallava's waist but Hallava gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing James off to one side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hallava pinned against the cage. Hallava gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Julius Hallava has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jordan James.
A punch combination from Hallava misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good shot there by Hallava.
James closes the distance and clinches up with Hallava, looking for a takedown. James pushes Hallava against the cage but Hallava circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
James fails to land the takedown.
Hallava looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

James clinches.
James keeps control of Hallava as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
James lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hallava letting James take a breather here.
James drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hallava pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hallava stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Hallava lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Hallava thumps James with a low kick.

James closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Hallava to the mat! Hallava manages to get full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
James working some strikes from top position.
Hallava can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as James controls the pace.
James working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
James trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hallava is wriggling around but James manages to pass to half guard.
James trying to pass the guard but Hallava defending well.
Jordan James has got the better of the ground game so far.
James thows a huge punch but Hallava dodges it nicely.
James lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
James trying to control the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
James's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hallava thuds his right hand into James's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Good leg kick by Hallava there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Hallava misses with the combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julius Hallava dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Hallava closes the distance and lands a one-two.
James fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hallava throws a right and a left that James avoids nicely.
Good leg kick by Hallava there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

James shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
James passes the guard and advances to mount!
James sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Hallava manages to avoid the submission attempt.
The strikes coming from James are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
James sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Hallava is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Hallava knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for James on the ground.

James is trying to get an arm triangle but Hallava is defending well.
James trying to control the action but Hallava is working from the bottom.
James staying calm.
James cracks Hallava with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

James has hold of Hallava's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Hallava seems comfortable defending it but James has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Hallava is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Hallava is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but James couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:22 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jordan James!