PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jake Theodorou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Helm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Helm has chosen Spazzin - Gary Podunk as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Theodorou
vs
Helm

185 cm
28
214 lbs
15 - 4 - 1

190 cm
28
215 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Perkele!

Underworld Clothing
REAR NAKED CHOKE NUTRITION

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 15 - 4 - 1, fighting out of London, Jake Theodorou!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, James Helm!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Donald Grub and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Theodorou shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Theodorou takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Helm really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Theodorou. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Helm is looking to escape.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Helm can do anything to dispel that myth.
Theodorou takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Theodorou missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Theodorou missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Theodorou seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Helm does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Theodorou thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Helm's head.
Helm wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Theodorou takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Theodorou missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Helm tries to kick Theodorou off but Theodorou keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Theodorou is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Helm.

It looks like Jake Theodorou has been cut.

Theodorou closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Helm to the mat! Helm manages to get full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Theodorou accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Theodorou is looking to work some ground and pound but Helm has wrist control.
Theodorou throwing strikes from guard but Helm blocks nicely.
Theodorou postures up in Helm's guard and throws a big left but Helm blocks it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helm wants to get back to his feet but Theodorou is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Theodorou postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Theodorou working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Helm utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Helm looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nice jab there from Helm.
Helm misses with a looping right.
A quick step to the side and Theodorou tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Helm works over Theodorou's head and body with a nice combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Helm connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Theodorou's hands.
Nice body punch from Helm.
Helm misses with a hook. Theodorou ducked under it nicely.
A cross from Helm lands.
Theodorou has a takedown stuffed.
Helm appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Theodorou fails with the takedown.
Helm looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Theodorou shoots in looking for a takedown but Helm manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Theodorou's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Theodorou. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Theodorou takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Helm keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A looping hook to the body misses from Theodorou. Helm does a little dance to reset his feet.
Helm scores with a hook to the body. Theodorou takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Theodorou scores with a takedown into Helm's guard.
Theodorou has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Helm is looking to stand up but Theodorou isn't so interested in that idea.
Theodorou with a flurry of punches that miss.
Helm keeping moving, preventing Theodorou from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Helm preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Theodorou throwing strikes but missing.
Theodorou in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Theodorou is pushing down on Helm's leg trying to pass to half guard. Helm is fighting to maintain full guard but Theodorou has managed to sneak the leg through.
Helm avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Theodorou.
The fighters are battling for position here. Helm manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Theodorou with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Theodorou stops Helm from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but James Helm will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jake Theodorou's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Theodorou throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Helm's waist but Helm gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Theodorou off to one side.
Theodorou gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Helm misses with a series of wild punches.
Helm throws a left and a right that both miss

and Theodorou counters with a single leg into guard. Helm didn't expect that.
Helm wants to stand and escape but Theodorou is having none of it.
Theodorou is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jake Theodorou 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.
Theodorou is standing up over Helm. Helm looks to escape but Theodorou dives into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Theodorou lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Helm down.
Helm pushes Theodorou away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Theodorou gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Helm is looking to reverse the position.
Helm takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Theodorou throwing strikes but Helm manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Theodorou tries to buck Helm off but Helm is having none of it.
Theodorou manages to work his way to half guard, despite Helm's best efforts.
Theodorou wants to improve his position but Helm is controlling well.
Theodorou gets back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Theodorou 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.
Theodorou is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Theodorou seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Helm felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Theodorou keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Theodorou thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Theodorou thows a huge punch but Helm dodges it nicely.
Ground and pound from Theodorou.
Theodorou throwing shots but Helm is blocking nicely.
Theodorou wants to pass to mount but Helm is defending the position.
Theodorou throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Theodorou performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Theodorou throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Helm to regain full guard.
Theodorou throws a big right hand that misses.
Theodorou won't allow Helm to get back to his feet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Helm connects with the punch.
Helm looks to land a left hand but Theodorou moved out of range nicely.
Theodorou uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Helm.
Theodorou throwing a counter right hand but Helm manages to avoid it.
Helm with a nice cross.
Helm throws a right hand that Theodorou ducks under and follows up with a left that Theodorou also avoids with ease.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Theodorou staying out of range there.
Theodorou looks to score with a jab to the body but Helm is just out of range.
James Helm is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Helm scores with a nice right hand.
Theodorou has his takedown stuffed
and Helm counters with a nice body shot.
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 Jake Theodorou will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jake Theodorou's cut.
That's time! Theodorou's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Theodorou dodges the punch combination from Helm.
James Helm seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Theodorou walks into a stiff left hand from Helm.
Theodorou moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Theodorou throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Helm sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Helm looks to score with a jab to the body but Theodorou is just out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Helm. No joy for Theodorou on that attempt.

Theodorou shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Theodorou was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Theodorou is trying to ground and pound but Helm uses the momentary lack of control by Theodorou to regain half guard.
Theodorou seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Helm does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Theodorou lands a nice short elbow.
Theodorou is looking to take a break and control but Helm is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Theodorou scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Theodorou seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Helm does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Theodorou is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Theodorou trying to control from half guard but Helm is working away.
Helm blocking the ground and pound attempt from Theodorou.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helm wants to improve his position but Theodorou is controlling well.
Theodorou sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Helm defending well though.
Helm is not content to let Theodorou control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Helm lands a jab to Theodorou's midsection.
Helm moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Theodorou misses with a body shot.
Helm connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Helm misses with a body shot.
No joy there for Helm, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Helm misses with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helm stuffs the takedown attempt from Theodorou. Theodorou gets slowly back to his feet.
Helm looks to land a right hand but Theodorou moved out of range.
Theodorou throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Helm throws out a counter right but Theodorou avoids it with no problem.
Some wild striking there from Helm.
Theodorou misses with a takedown
and Helm makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Theodorou. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Helm swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Theodorou is defended easily by Helm.
Theodorou misses with a lunging right hand
and Helm counters with a two punch combo.
Theodorou throws a jab but it's blocked by Helm.
Helm lands with a good body shot.
Helm swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Theodorou ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Helm moves away.
Theodorou throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Helm throws a lazy right hand but Theodorou sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Theodorou avoids a punch combination nicely.
As Helm tries to get set, Theodorou tries to push him back and clinch up but Helm manages to avoid the attempt.
Nice jab there from Helm.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Helm misses with a wild body shot.
Helm throws an overhand right that lands on Theodorou's shoulder, as Theodorou tries to avoid the shot.

Theodorou looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Helm blocking the ground and pound attempt from Theodorou.
Theodorou is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Theodorou trying to control from Helm's half guard. Helm has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Theodorou throwing strikes from guard but Helm blocks nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Helm comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Helm has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... James Helm!