PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Demar Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Blagojevic Batakovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Jones
vs
Batakovic

188 cm
21
167 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
28
153 lbs
10 - 12 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Demar Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Blagojevic Batakovic!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Paul Gruel and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Batakovic throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Jones's waist but Jones gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Batakovic off to one side.
Jones seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Jones swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Jones looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Batakovic tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Jones manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Batakovic walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Jones connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Jones pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Left hook, right uppercut from Jones.
Jones is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Batakovic.
Batakovic takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Jones has managed to clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Batakovic manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Batakovic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jones is one step ahead there.

Batakovic had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Jones defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Batakovic working for a triangle but Jones defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jones gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Batakovic lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Jones backs up against the cage.

Batakovic moves into the clinch successfully.
Jones scores with a shoulder strike.
Jones has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Batakovic jumps guard but Jones stands there with Batakovic around his waist. Batakovic gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Batakovic jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Jones walks away with a smile on his face. Batakovic gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Demar Jones has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Blagojevic Batakovic.
Jones misses with a double jab.
Jones swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Jones misses with a body kick.
A big left from Jones misses.
Jones goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice uppercut there from Jones.
Jones misses with a low kick.
Jones connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones slips a jab from Batakovic.
Jones dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've been informed that Batakovic has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

Batakovic clinches up with Jones and pushes him back against the cage.

Batakovic pulls guard successfully.
Jones 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.
Batakovic wants to sweep but no luck.
Jones controlling from the top position.
Jones throwing strikes but missing.

Jones decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Jones misses with a wild body shot.
Batakovic is looking for the big counter here.
Batakovic shoots and misses
and Jones counters with a nice uppercut.
Batakovic wants to clinch up but Jones keeps it at a distance.
It looked like Jones wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Batakovic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Batakovic! But no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batakovic scores with a crisp jab that stopped Jones in his tracks.

Jones drives through and clinches with Batakovic against the cage.
Jones wants to break the clinch but can't.
Jones working hard to break the clinch.
Batakovic tries to pull guard but Jones won't allow it.
Batakovic jumps guard but Jones stands there with Batakovic around his waist. Batakovic gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Batakovic jumps guard but Jones turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Batakovic fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Batakovic tries to pull guard but Jones holds him up against the cage and eventually Batakovic drops back down to his feet.

Jones manages to break the clinch.
Batakovic tries to clinch up.
Jones throws a series of punches but Batakovic moves out of range.
Jones fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Batakovic on the side of the head.
Jones is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Batakovic takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones throws a nice looking combination but Batakovic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Good leg kick by Jones there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Jones moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jones throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Batakovic on the side of the head.
Batakovic takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Batakovic has Jones up against the cage in a clinch.
Batakovic tries to pull guard but Jones holds him up against the cage and eventually Batakovic drops back down to his feet.
Batakovic tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jones just stands there and leans against the cage.
Jones pushes Batakovic back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Batakovic is trying to pull guard but Jones has him pressed against the cage.

Batakovic pulls guard effortlessly.

Batakovic is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Jones is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Demar Jones 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.

Jones lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Batakovic circles away quickly and effectively.
Batakovic takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Jones connects with a looping right hand.
Jones leaves Batakovic with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Batakovic takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Demar Jones is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Batakovic is defended easily by Jones.
Jones lands with an overhand left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones moves into range and connects with a jab.
Jones swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Batakovic counters with a one-two to the body.
Batakovic moves out of range of the body kick.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
The crowd cheers as Batakovic lands an impressive looking overhand right. Jones doesn't seem phased though.
Batakovic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batakovic is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Jones.
Batakovic moves to clinch but Jones breaks away
and Jones counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Jones cracks Batakovic with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Jones missing with a left hand there. Batakovic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Demar Jones is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice sprawl there from Jones as Batakovic shoots in.
Demar Jones has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Blagojevic Batakovic.
Batakovic doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Jones counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Jones.
Jones is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Batakovic can do to turn this around?
Batakovic tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Batakovic jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Jones walks away with a smile on his face. Batakovic gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Jones lands a jab.
Batakovic fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Jones scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones tried to score with a low kick but Batakovic checks it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Batakovic takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Jones jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Jones scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Jones tries to bum rush Batakovic with a series of wild strikes but Batakovic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jones connects with a good right hand that stumbles Batakovic. Batakovic circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Jones moves into the clinch.
Batakovic tries to pull guard but Jones holds him up against the cage and eventually Batakovic drops back down to his feet.
Jones wants to break free but Batakovic has control.
Batakovic jumps guard but Jones stands there with Batakovic around his waist. Batakovic gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Demar Jones has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Batakovic tries to pull guard but Jones holds him up against the cage and eventually Batakovic drops back down to his feet.
Jones scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Batakovic tries to pull guard but Jones forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batakovic fails to pull guard.
Batakovic is trying to pull guard but Jones has him pressed against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Jones.
Jones looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Batakovic tries to pull guard but Jones holds him up against the cage and eventually Batakovic drops back down to his feet.
Jones is trying to break the clinch but Batakovic has him pressed against the cage.
Batakovic is trying to pull guard but Jones has him pressed against the cage.
Batakovic tries to pull guard but Jones holds him up against the cage and eventually Batakovic drops back down to his feet.

Jones breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jones goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Batakovic tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jones swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jones lands with a thumping leg kick.
Jones displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Batakovic.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones throws a nice looking combination but Batakovic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Batakovic shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Jones counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Jones defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Batakovic.
Demar Jones is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Batakovic is breathing heavily.
Jones lands with a hook. Batakovic tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Jones misses with a body kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Batakovic dodges the punch combination from Jones.
Jones connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nice uppercut there from Jones.
Batakovic fails to land the takedown.
A jab lands there for Jones.
Batakovic takes a jab right on the kisser.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Demar Jones dominated that second round.
That's time! Jones's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Jones throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A right-left combo lands from Jones.
Jones stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Jones wants it to stay on the feet.
A left and a right from Jones both land. Nice combination.
Demar Jones seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Jones gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Batakovic to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Jones looking for a sweep. Not yet Jones, not yet.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Batakovic from controlling successfully.
Jones looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Batakovic stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Jones swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Batakovic lands a couple of digs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batakovic trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jones is pulling down on Batakovic's head. It's preventing any offense from Batakovic, at least for the moment.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Batakovic looking to sit in guard and control but Jones gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Jones stays in close to Batakovic's body and controls the position.

Jones gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Batakovic moves into range and clinches up with Jones.

Jones's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jones throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batakovic goes for a double leg but Jones avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Jones continues to drive forward.

Batakovic decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Batakovic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Batakovic is trying to work for a kimura but Jones is defending well.
Jones keeping hold of Batakovic's head, controlling as best he can.
Jones is pressing down on Batakovic's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Jones has his hands on Batakovic's head, controlling the position.
Batakovic wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.
Blagojevic Batakovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batakovic tries to free his leg and advance position but Jones is retaining full guard.
Batakovic trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jones keeping full guard, as Batakovic tries to pass.
Jones looking for a sweep. Not yet Jones, not yet.
Jones is pulling down on Batakovic's head. It's preventing any offense from Batakovic, at least for the moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Batakovic on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Jones clobbers Batakovic with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batakovic throws a series of punches but Jones avoids them all with ease.
Jones connects with a looping right hand.
Batakovic tries to clinch up.
Batakovic misses with the combination.
Jones lands a lovely overhand right.
Batakovic takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Jones throws a left and a right that both miss

and Batakovic counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Jones breaks the clinch.
Batakovic has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Jones finds it's way round the side to connect with Batakovic's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jones connects with a looping right hand.
A cross from Jones lands.
Jones connects with a nice looking jab.
Jones lands with a right hand.
Batakovic misses with a hook. Jones ducked under it nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Demar Jones showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Jones, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:26
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:26
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Demar Jones!