PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jorge Linares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and JJ Media (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jorge Linares has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Linares
vs
Media

172 cm
25
140 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

160 cm
19
141 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

Dangerous GnP
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Arcticus University: London
Big Bear Nutrition 160Q

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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jorge Linares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, JJ Media!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Gwen Towbar and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Media stuns Linares with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nice body punch from Media.
Media scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Linares doesn't seem bothered though.
Linares shoots in but Media avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Linares throws a jab but it's blocked by Media.
Linares is looking to clinch but Media is avoiding it.
Media cracks Linares with a good jab.
Linares takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A solid leg kick lands there for Media.
Media works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A slow jab from Media misses its intended target.
The fighters circle momentarily. Media darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Media tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Linares was well out of range. Poor timing from Media.
Media chopping away at his opponent's legs.
No joy there for Linares, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Media misses with an uppercut. Linares saw that one coming.
Linares uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Media.
Linares bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Media throws a quick inside leg kick.
Media misses with a wild body shot.
It looked like Linares was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
JJ Media is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Media scores with a jab to the body.
Media misses with a looping left.
Linares throws a big counter combination but Media scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Media scores with a jab.
Media with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Media lands with a hook. Linares tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Media throws a body shot but no joy.
Media scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Linares doesn't seem bothered though.
Nice straight punches there by Media. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Media.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Media digs a good hook to Linares's body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Media takes a swing at Linares's ribcage but misses.

Linares rushes Media and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Media lands a body punch in the clinch.
Linares wants to take the fight to the mat but Media manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Media - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
A body shot lands from Media.

Media breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Media looks to land a left hand but Linares moved out of range nicely.
Linares tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Media looks to score with a jab to the body but Linares is just out of range.
Media fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Linares manages to avoid it.
Media lands a nice looking body shot.
Linares takes one on the button.
Media throws out a leg kick but Linares moves out of range and Media only half commits.
Linares takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Media connects with a body shot.
Media jabs Linares to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Media ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Linares moves away.
It looked like Linares was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Media jabs Linares right on the nose. Linares blinks but takes it well.
Media misses with a looping left.
Media is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Linares had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Media stuffs the takedown attempt from Linares. Linares gets slowly back to his feet.
Media looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jorge Linares. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Media connects with a jab.
Linares on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Linares chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Media can pounce on him.
Media is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Linares rather than just go for the knockout.
Linares defending well as Media loads up on a big left hand.
A combination from Linares does no damage.
Media thows a left - swing and a miss!
Linares appears to be looking for a big counter.
Linares takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Media throws a body punch but Linares moves out of range.
Media throws a lazy right hand but Linares sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Media ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Linares moves away.
Media misses with a body shot.
Media loads up on a big right hand but Linares slips the punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JJ Media dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Media uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Media lands a jab to Linares's midsection.
Linares doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Media counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A punch lands to the side of Linares 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Jorge Linares is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A slapping leg kick lands for Media.
Linares walks into a straight right hand from Media.
Media just misses with a punch to the body.
Media fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Linares manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Media throws a lazy right hand but Linares sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Media has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Linares fails with an attempt to clinch.
JJ Media seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Media scores with a sloppy right hand. Linares should have avoided that one.
Media scores with the left hand. Linares knows he should have avoided that one.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A combination from Media does no damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Media slips a jab and a cross from Linares.
Media fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Linares was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Linares looks for a takedown but Media sprawls well.
Linares tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Media paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Linares is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Media is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Linares.
Media connects with a leg kick. Linares looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Media throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Linares stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Media smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Media fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Media lands with an uppercut that bounces Linares off the cage and back into range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Media tries to score with a low kick but Linares moves his leg out of the way.
Linares throws a big counter combination but Media scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
JJ Media seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Media throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Linares stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Linares uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Media.
Linares appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Linares is looking to clinch.
Linares wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Linares looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Linares defending well as Media loads up on a big left hand.
Linares went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Linares uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Media.
Media looks to score with a jab to the body but Linares is just out of range.
Media dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Linares takes one to the side of the head.
Linares ducks under a wild hook from Media.
Media ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Linares moves away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Linares.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jorge Linares. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Media shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Media throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Linares sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Media works Linares's body with a nice hook.
Media misses with a body shot.
Linares is looking for a counter combo.
Linares tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Media paws at him with a jab and circles away.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Media in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Linares keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Media.
Media throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Linares on the side of the head.
Linares fails with an attempt to clinch.
Media ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Linares moves away.
Media looks to score with a jab to the body but Linares is just out of range.
Linares closes this distance looking for a takedown but Media circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Media scores with a hook to the body. Linares takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Media takes a swing at Linares's ribcage but misses.
Linares appears to be looking for a big counter.
Linares tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Linares tries to clinch but Media moves out of range.
Linares avoids the body shot from Media.
Linares uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Media.
Linares shoots and misses
and Media counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Media throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Media misses with a straight right.
Media scores with a nice head shot.
Linares blocks a jab.
Media throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JJ Media showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Media fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Linares looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Good leg kick by Media there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Media lands with an uppercut that bounces Linares off the cage and back into range.
Media is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Media just misses with a punch to the body.

Linares clinches up against the cage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Media lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Media scores with a hook to the body.
Linares is trying to pull guard but Media has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Media.
Media leaning against his opponent.
Media has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Linares seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Media can turn it around.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Media.
Media lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Linares backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Media pushes Linares back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Media digs a right hand into Linares's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Linares's gas tank.
Media is stalling here.
Media stalling in the clinch.
Media lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Media pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Linares is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Media scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Media scores with a jab to the body.
Linares doesn't manage to clinch there - Media circles away.
A jab from Media finds it's way through Linares's defenses.
Media lands a nice looking body shot.
JJ Media is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Linares takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Linares. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Linares drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Media cracks Linares with a right hand to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Media throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Linares thinks about countering with a head kick.
Media misses with a looping left.
Media scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Media moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Linares ducks under a wild hook from Media.
Linares appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Linares takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Linares ducks under a wild hook from Media.
Linares uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Media.
Linares gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Media.
Nice jab there from Media.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Media throws a leg kick which misses Linares's front leg but catches the back leg as Linares tries to avoid it.
Linares dives in for a single leg takedown but Media sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Media waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Linares.
Linares seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

Linares feints and as Media raises his hands in defense, Linares changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Linares won't allow Media to sweep him here.
Media looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Linares stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Jorge Linares has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Media with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Linares stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Media.
Media punishes Linares's body with a nice straight punch.
Linares is looking to clinch but Media is avoiding it.
Nice body punch from Media.
Linares uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Media.
Media listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Media. Linares does a little dance to reset his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
JJ Media comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Media winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 25:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 25:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... JJ Media!
JJ Media really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Arcticus University: London logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.