PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Von Dodson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cameron James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James has chosen Rest In Peace as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Dodson
vs
James

216 cm
24
140 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

157 cm
21
142 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Von Dodson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Cameron James!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Valeri Chadov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dodson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? James is fending him off so far but Dodson persists. Nope, James circles away and we're back to standing.

James rushes Dodson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

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

Dodson gets caught napping as James dives in and scores a takedown. Dodson manages to retain guard.
James throws a big elbow that misses.
James postures up in Dodson's guard and throws a big left but Dodson blocks it.
James preventing the sweep.
James trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Dodson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
James in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
James throwing strikes but missing.
James postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James stops Dodson from standing up.
James distracts Dodson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Dodson pulls James in close to prevent any damage.
Dodson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James works over Dodson with some ground and pound from guard.
James throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dodson wants to get back to his feet but James is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Dodson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Dodson shoots in and drives through. James sprawls well.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Dodson.
Dodson cracks James with a big elbow.
James parries the strikes from Dodson easily there. Dodson is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable James to escape.
Dodson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Dodson scoring with punches from side control.
James has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on James's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
James tries to bench press Dodson off him but Dodson keeps the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
James struggling a bit here.
Dodson tries to score with some ground and pound. James controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
James regains half guard, as Dodson was trying to land strikes.
James keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dodson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Dodson tries to stand but can't do so whilst James controls his leg.
Dodson looks to land a strike but James avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
James is trying to control the position but Dodson postures up.
James 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.
Dodson won't allow James to get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Dodson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from James.
James looks winded!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Dodson.
James is trying to control Dodson's posture but Dodson avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Dodson.
Dodson tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
James wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Dodson throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Dodson working the ground and pound but James is defending the strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dodson throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and James works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Dodson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Von Dodson dominated that 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.

James has closed the distance and engaged Dodson in a clinch.
James is defending well against a takedown attempt.
James can't get the takedown.

Dodson manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Dodson wants to stand but James is controlling the position.
James missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Dodson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Dodson is pulling down on James's head. It's preventing any offense from James, at least for the moment.
Von Dodson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dodson has momentary wrist control but James slips an elbow through the middle.
James preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Dodson wants to stand up but James is controlling him.
James throwing strikes from guard but Dodson blocks nicely.
Dodson wants to stand up but James is controlling him.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
James moves out of range of the body kick from Dodson.

Dodson gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows James to score an easy takedown into full guard.
James is breathing heavily.
Dodson wants to get back to his feet but James is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Dodson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dodson has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. James is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
James is trying to push Dodson away but Dodson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Dodson has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics James uses from the top position.

Dodson pushes James off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
James shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Dodson as he avoids it easily.
A head kick from Dodson lands but James takes it in his stride.
Dodson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and James counters with a one-two to the body.

Dodson dives in and scores a takedown into James's guard.
Dodson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Dodson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James wants to stand and escape but Dodson is having none of it.
Dodson throws an elbow that misses. James uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Dodson's guard. Nice move by James!

Dodson is controlling James's posture.
James keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Dodson's head.
James connects with a couple of short punches.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dodson wants to stand up but James is controlling him.
Dodson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that James can do to turn this around?
Dodson trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Dodson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from James.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
James prevents Dodson from getting back to his feet.
James works over Dodson with some ground and pound from guard.
James is looking to work some ground and pound but Dodson has wrist control.
Dodson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in James's guard.

James working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Dodson.
Dodson throwing strikes but missing.
James tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dodson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Von Dodson dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Dodson closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. James did well to prevent Dodson getting side control.
Dodson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Dodson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
James blocking the ground and pound attempt from Dodson.
Dodson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
James has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Dodson is working away from the top position though.
James blocking the ground and pound attempt from Dodson.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
James takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dodson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
James shoots for a takedown but Dodson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dodson shoots in but James avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Dodson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts James as he jumps to the side.
Despite the aggression on James's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Dodson dives in and scores a takedown into James's guard.
Dodson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dodson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Dodson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
James pulls Dodson in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dodson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of James is proving hard to escape from.
James controlling Dodson's posture.
James working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Dodson.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

James fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Dodson sprawls well initially but James persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Dodson gets back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dodson pushes James off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
James doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Dodson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Dodson closes this distance looking for a takedown but James circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Von Dodson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dodson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dodson tries for a takedown but James sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Dodson gets caught napping as James dives in and scores a takedown. Dodson manages to retain guard.
Dodson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
James is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells James's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Dodson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst James is controlling him.
James throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dodson looking to control.
James is in close to Dodson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Dodson wants to stand up but James is controlling him.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
James shoots in but no luck this time.
Dodson closes the distance and clinches up with James, looking for a takedown. Dodson pushes James against the cage but James circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
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!
James fails with the takedown
and Dodson counters with a two punch combo.
Dodson fails to land the takedown.
Cameron James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Von Dodson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
James scores with a kick to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Von Dodson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Dodson, 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Von Dodson!
In defeat, Cameron James stepped up to the mic, saying 'umm waht can i say...my opponent just had a better gameplan and i need to get better.'.