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). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Hallava
vs
James

194 cm
21
219 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

200 cm
22
204 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Powerful

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Julius Hallava!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jordan James!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Franklyn Lucas and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hallava stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hallava wants it to stay on the feet.
Hallava went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Hallava rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but James moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hallava lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but James circles away quickly and effectively.
Hallava throws a low kick, looking for James's leg but James calmly moves out of range.
James has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Hallava throws a leg kick but James sees it coming and checks it nicely.
James shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hallava as he avoids it easily.
James blocks a low kick nicely.
James blocks a leg kick.
James tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hallava.
And James tries to counter it with a takedown but Hallava pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hallava scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from James is defended easily by Hallava.
Julius Hallava has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jordan James.
James looks for a takedown but Hallava sprawls well.
Hallava is looking to counter punch.
James dives in and grabs Hallava's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hallava pushes down on James's head and hops out.
Hallava fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hallava looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hallava defends well against a solid takedown attempt from James.
James tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hallava manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
James shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hallava but Hallava pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Hallava.
James checks a leg kick nicely.
Hallava 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.
Hallava misses with a two punch combination.
Hallava pushes James away with a front kick.
Hallava rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but James moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hallava throws out a powerful jab.
James has a takedown stuffed.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hallava swivels and escapes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James throws a body shot but no joy.
Hallava will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hallava misses with a two punch combination.
James staying out of range there.
Hallava misses with the combination.
James is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

James takes the fight into the clinch.
James is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hallava's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
James tries to clinch there but Hallava circles away.
James stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hallava.

James has taken the fight to the clinch.

James breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jordan James seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hallava throws a series of punches but James avoids them all with ease.
James shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hallava as he avoids it easily.
James stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hallava.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
James on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hallava. Hallava obviously looking to wear him down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julius Hallava dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

James tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hallava lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but James circles away quickly and effectively.
Good shot there by Hallava.
Hallava throws a hook but James blocks it.
Hallava misses with a wild body shot.
Hallava will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hallava throws a combination but it was largely blocked by James.
James changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hallava throws a body kick that misses.
James tries to clinch up.
James tries to clinch up but Hallava circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
James scores with punches from side control.
James looks up at the clock and then as Hallava takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, James smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
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.
James trying to control the action but Hallava is working from the bottom.
James prevents Hallava from escaping the position.
Hallava trying to remain calm as James controls from the top position.
James is looking to take a break and control but Hallava is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
James throws a strike aimed at the side of Hallava's head but Hallava avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hallava being controlled for a moment.

James goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Hallava has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for James but great work by Hallava.
Hallava knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for James on the ground.
James struggling a bit here.
Hallava tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
James manages to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James is looking to improve his position.
James trying to control here.
James is trying is best to control the position here.
Hallava wants to stand but James has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
The fighters are battling for position here. James manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Hallava wants to stand but James is controlling his posture from full guard.
James wants to sweep here but Hallava controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
James shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hallava defends it nicely.

James has managed to clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
James has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hallava is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Julius Hallava will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Hallava turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Hallava is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that James can do to turn this around?
James checks the leg kick.
Hallava tries to bum rush James with a series of wild strikes but James uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Hallava - that will leave a mark!
Hallava misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hallava throws a leg kick but James sees it coming and moves out of range.
James takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
James shoots for a takedown but Hallava saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Julius Hallava is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

James forces Hallava back against the cage and clinches.

James pulls guard effortlessly.
James is adopting a defensive guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James wants to sweep here but Hallava controlling him for the moment.
James throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Hallava wants to stand but James has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
James looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
James 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 wants to control but Hallava is keeping him busy.

That's two 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.
James tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hallava knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
James is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
James is landing with some decent strikes but Hallava is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, James cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
James with good strikes from the mount here!
James has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Hallava defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from James.
James controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James wants to control the pace but Hallava is squirming around nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
James raining down shots from the mount!
James controlling from the full mount.
Hallava taking shots to the head.
James trying to control but Hallava is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by James.
Hallava is in a horrible position here. James smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
James won't let Hallava get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
James controlling from mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
James looking to control but Hallava is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Jordan James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Julius Hallava is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
James with a couple of short strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jordan James comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hallava 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:28
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Julius Hallava!