PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Erin Jenkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Cunning (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Jenkins
vs
Cunning

213 cm
22
278 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

178 cm
20
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Erin Jenkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Max Cunning!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Eliza Hachem and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cunning moves into the clinch.
Cunning tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Jenkins smiles and moves away.
Cunning changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jenkins tries to avoid it but Cunning manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jenkins to the ground. Jenkins escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Jenkins gets the takedown into side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Cunning is trying to buck Jenkins off.
Cunning can't do much from the bottom here.
Cunning is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Jenkins has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Cunning struggling a bit here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cunning is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Cunning is looking to regain half guard here but Jenkins keeps moving and retains side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cunning is still trying to improve position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunning parries the strikes from Jenkins easily there. Jenkins is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Cunning to escape.
Cunning managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Jenkins.
Cunning manages to get back to half guard.
Cunning tries to kick Jenkins off but Jenkins keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Cunning manages to get to full guard.
Cunning should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Cunning working a defensive guard here.
Cunning avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Jenkins missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cunning pulls Jenkins in close to his closed guard and prevents Jenkins from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cunning wants to sweep here but Jenkins controlling him for the moment.
Cunning trying to control the position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

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

Cunning has managed to clinch.
Jenkins wants to break the clinch but can't.
Jenkins avoiding damage.
Jenkins is struggling to control the position.
Jenkins lands a nice shot to the body.
Jenkins stalling in the clinch but Cunning improves position.
Cunning wants to take the fight to the mat but Jenkins manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Erin Jenkins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Cunning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jenkins gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Cunning looks winded!
Jenkins is keen to just control but Cunning is a slippery customer.

Jenkins is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Cunning has managed to free his arm - good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Cunning trying to hold on to Jenkins's head to control him but Jenkins postures up.
Cunning blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jenkins.
Jenkins is looking to take a break and control but Cunning is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Jenkins not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cunning has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Jenkins is working away from the top position though.
Jenkins lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cunning is trying to get back to full guard.
Jenkins wants to take a breather but Cunning is having none of it.

Jenkins is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Jenkins is looking to take a break and control but Cunning is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cunning is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cunning wants to control the action here but instead Jenkins manages to pass to full mount!
Jenkins landing punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erin Jenkins dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Cunning darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Jenkins wants to sweep but Cunning has passed to side control!
You can see the frustration on Jenkins's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jenkins tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunning avoids the attempt from Jenkins to control.
Cunning throwing strikes but Jenkins bucks up and reverses the position. He's now in guard on top.
Jenkins trying to control but Cunning is working from the bottom.
Cunning working a defensive guard here.
Jenkins is looking to work some ground and pound but Cunning has wrist control.
Jenkins has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Cunning is proving hard to escape from.
Cunning bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Jenkins's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cunning trying to control the position from guard on top but Jenkins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Erin Jenkins overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cunning not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Jenkins is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jenkins keeping moving, preventing Cunning from controlling successfully.
Cunning throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cunning wants to control from the top but Jenkins keeps moving.
Cunning throwing strikes but missing.
Cunning in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Erin Jenkins is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Cunning clinches up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Jenkins wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cunning tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Jenkins smiles and moves away.
Cunning changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jenkins tries to avoid it but Cunning manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jenkins to the ground. Jenkins escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Max Cunning seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Jenkins gets a clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Cunning breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Cunning throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Cunning gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Cunning 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! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Cunning lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A left and a right from Jenkins both land. Nice combination.

Cunning closes the distance and pushes Jenkins back into the cage.
Jenkins trying to stall but Cunning improves his position.

Jenkins lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Cunning is looking to control Jenkins's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cunning avoid being mounted?
Cunning is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Jenkins scores with a couple of nice shots.
Cunning is trying to stand back up but Jenkins is controlling him

Jenkins is trying to work for a kimura but Cunning is defending well.
Jenkins working Cunning over with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunning is looking for a sweep. Jenkins is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Cunning slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Cunning working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jenkins.
Jenkins looking to sit in guard and control but Cunning gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Cunning gets to his feet - Jenkins follows without any prompting.

Jenkins tries to keep at a distance but Cunning has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jenkins misses with a body punch.
Cunning tries to pull guard but Jenkins won't allow it.
Jenkins lands a body punch in the clinch.
Cunning takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jenkins pressing his opponent against the cage.
Jenkins has had enough of the clinch but Cunning keeps him there for the moment.
Cunning scores with a shot to the side of Jenkins's head.

Cunning breaks from the clinch.
A leg kick checked by Jenkins.
As Cunning looks to move away, Jenkins throws a big counter combo bu Cunning just gets out of the way.

Cunning darts in and clinches Jenkins up against the cage.

Cunning breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Jenkins misses.

Cunning has taken the fight to the clinch.

Cunning breaks the clinch.
Cunning looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Jenkins is fending him off so far but Cunning persists. Nope, Jenkins circles away and we're back to standing.

Cunning gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Jenkins jumps guard.
Cunning looking to sit in guard and control but Jenkins gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Cunning not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cunning is looking to stand up but Jenkins isn't so interested in that idea.
Jenkins will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Cunning pulls Jenkins in close to his closed guard and prevents Jenkins from doing any damage or advancing position.
Jenkins trying to control the position from guard on top but Cunning is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jenkins working some strikes from top position.
Jenkins working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Cunning's head.
Cunning is controlling Jenkins's posture.
Jenkins working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jenkins landing some decent shots from guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Erin Jenkins.
I think Jenkins has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Erin Jenkins!