PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Diego Aragon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Howlett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Howlett has chosen X-Men Theme Music as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Aragon
vs
Howlett

180 cm
29
188 lbs
19 - 12 - 1

181 cm
24
203 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Diego Aragon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Howlett!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Chris Downing and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A cross from Howlett lands.
Aragon fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Howlett avoids it really well and circles away.
Howlett lands with a shot to the body.
Aragon shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Howlett defends it nicely.
A little jabbing left from Howlett on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Howlett ducks under a wild hook from Aragon.
Howlett looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Aragon fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diego Aragon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good work by Howlett as he checks the leg kick.
Aragon throws a head kick but Howlett moves out of range.
Aragon sets himself, and Howlett steps forward looking for the clinch! Aragon avoids it this time.
Aragon is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howlett jabs at Aragon's body.
Howlett connects with a body shot that sends Aragon's belly button to the back.
James Howlett is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Howlett lunges at Aragon with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Aragon's hand.
Howlett scores with a hook to the body. Aragon takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Howlett lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Howlett takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Aragon throws a body shot but no joy.
Aragon connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Jab by Howlett.
Howlett keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Howlett waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Aragon.
Aragon moves away from the strike by Howlett.
Howlett with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Aragon to score with a decent uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aragon has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Aragon there as he acknowledges the shot.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Aragon missing with knees to the body.
Howlett on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Howlett has Aragon pushed against the cage.
Aragon 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.
Howlett lands a hook that snaps the head of Aragon backwards.
Howlett prevents a body shot from Aragon.
Aragon being controlled against the cage.
Aragon looking to throw knees to the head but Howlett is blocking nicely.
Howlett is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Aragon is keeping busy.
Howlett doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Aragon misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aragon lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Aragon misses with an elbow strike.
Aragon is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Howlett is keeping busy.
Howlett stalling the fight.
Aragon unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Howlett escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Aragon misses the shot to the body.
Aragon takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Diego Aragon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Howlett gets tackled into the cage by Aragon. Aragon maintains the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Howlett creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Aragon misses with the head strike.

Howlett's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Howlett connects with a jab.
Aragon moves forwards but Howlett connects with a nice, crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Aragon fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Howlett, pushing him back against the cage.
Howlett throws a head punch that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Aragon.
Aragon blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Aragon blocking some punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Aragon.
Howlett trying to stall but Aragon improves his position.
Aragon tries to land knees in the clinch but Howlett avoids the damage to the body.
Howlett tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Aragon.
Howlett blocking some punches.
Howlett tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Aragon tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Howlett is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Howlett swings wildly with an uppercut but Aragon uses good head movement to avoid it.
Howlett misses with a knee strike.
Howlett lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Aragon misses with a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Howlett dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A slow jab from Aragon misses its intended target.
Aragon lands with a slapping head kick.
Aragon takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Aragon looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Howlett has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Howlett lands with a straight right. Aragon didn't see that one coming.
Howlett with a nice cross.
Howlett scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Aragon tries to close the distance and clinch up but Howlett swats him away and circles back towards the center.
It seemed like Howlett was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aragon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aragon throws out a loose jab but Howlett uses good head movement to avoid it.
Aragon fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aragon throws a lazy head kick
and Howlett counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Aragon lands with a slapping head kick.
Aragon throws a head kick that half lands.

Aragon rushes Howlett and presses him up against the cage.
Aragon lands a hook that snaps the head of Howlett backwards.
Aragon lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Aragon has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Howlett is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diego Aragon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Howlett landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Howlett manages to break the clinch.
Aragon with a body punch. A glancing blow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Howlett throws a right and a left that Aragon avoids nicely.
Howlett ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aragon moves away.
Howlett throws a lazy uppercut
and Aragon counters with a low kick, right behind Howlett 's knee.
Aragon throws a poor cross that misses
letting Howlett counter with a right hand.
Aragon misses with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aragon throws a leg kick
and Howlett counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Aragon fails with the takedown.
Howlett doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Aragon needs to keep his hands up - Howlett had a free shot at his head there.
Nice shot lands for Howlett.
No luck for Aragon with that takedown attempt.
Howlett swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Howlett moves out of range of the leg kick from Aragon.
Howlett tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aragon was well out of range. Poor timing from Howlett.
Aragon takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Howlett takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
James Howlett seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Howlett cracks Aragon with an open hand slap.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett connects with the punch.
Aragon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Aragon throws a sloppy head kick and Howlett moves out of range easily.
Howlett circles away from the clinch attempt.
Howlett let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Aragon fails with the takedown.
Aragon has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Howlett.
Howlett swats away the attempt to clinch by Aragon.
Howlett slips a jab and a cross from Aragon.
Aragon feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Howlett's calf.
Howlett's jab looks to have found its range, popping Aragon under the eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howlett uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Aragon is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Howlett scores with a sloppy right hand. Aragon should have avoided that one.
Howlett blocks the body kick.
Aragon tries to clinch but Howlett is having none of it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice uppercut there from Howlett.
Aragon has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Howlett finds it's way round the side to connect with Aragon's head.
Aragon throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Howlett circles away from the clinch attempt
and Howlett counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Howlett clinches up with Aragon and pushes him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Howlett showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Aragon's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Aragon pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Howlett fails to land with a series of punches.
Aragon swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Howlett tries to close the distance and clinch up but Aragon swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Howlett tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Aragon looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Howlett throws a nice outside leg kick.

Aragon closes the distance and clinches.
Howlett misses with a punch to the body.
A bit of stalling here from Howlett.
Aragon scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Aragon prevents Howlett from breaking the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Howlett works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Howlett misses with a knee strike.
A head punch on the inside from Howlett fails to land.
Howlett trying to control the position but instead, Aragon has worked for underhooks and has pushed Howlett into the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Howlett.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howlett stalling in the clinch but Aragon improves position.
Howlett landing knees to the body.
Howlett misses with a short punch on the inside.
Aragon tries for a takedown. No joy.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Howlett.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Aragon throws a head punch that misses.
Howlett lands a left hand that snaps the head of Aragon backwards.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Howlett fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Howlett doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Howlett stalling in the clinch.
Aragon trying to land knees to the body.
Aragon blocks a body shot from Howlett.
Good body shot from Howlett.
Come on Howlett - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Howlett lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Diego Aragon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howlett looking to stall.
Howlett throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Aragon blocks it with crossed arms.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Howlett tries to break free but Aragon pushes him back against the cage.
Aragon is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Howlett is defending well.
Howlett lands a nice uppercut.
Aragon blocks a body shot from Howlett.
Aragon tries to score a body lock takedown but Howlett shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diego Aragon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aragon throws a head punch that misses.
Howlett scores with a shoulder strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aragon drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Howlett gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A knee to the head by Howlett.
Aragon doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett tries to land a knee to the head but Aragon blocks with his arms.
Howlett gets underhooks to prevent Aragon's takedown attempt.
A nice left hand lands by Howlett.
Howlett tries to land a knee to the head but Aragon blocks with his arms.
Howlett is looking to control Aragon's arms but Aragon gets an underhook and turns him. Now Howlett has his back to the cage.
Aragon trying to control the position but instead, Howlett has worked for underhooks and has pushed Aragon into the cage.
Howlett wants to get back to striking at distance but Aragon won't allow it.
Howlett with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A hook to the body from Aragon.
Aragon is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Howlett is defending well for now.
Howlett blocks an uppercut.
Howlett makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Aragon lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Aragon prevents a body shot from Howlett.
Howlett is stalling here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aragon tries to throw a body punch but Howlett avoids it by throwing Aragon back against the cage.

Howlett breaks from the clinch.
Aragon throws a nice outside leg kick.
Howlett throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Aragon stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A left lands for Howlett.
Aragon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Howlett.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Howlett swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aragon scores with a sloppy right hand. Howlett should have avoided that one.
Aragon on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Aragon blocks a leg kick.
Aragon half committed to a counter leg kick.
A lazy left from Howlett finds it's target.
James Howlett is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Aragon lands with a shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Howlett comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Howlett has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Howlett!
After winning the bout, James Howlett thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
Diego Aragon was interviewed post fight and said 'That sucked! '.