PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jackson James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Just Islander (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Just Islander is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

James
vs
Islander

160 cm
25
130 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

162 cm
26
140 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Leviathan Clothing

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jackson James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Just Islander!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Winston Alpacca and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from James does no damage.
Islander drops down looking to force a counter takedown but James defends it well.
James swinging wildly here.
Islander tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A right-left combo lands from James.
James misses with a double jab

and Islander counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Islander prevents James from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Islander trying to control but James is working from the bottom.
Islander is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Islander prevents James from getting back to his feet.
Islander lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Islander must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Islander stopping the sweep attempt from James.
Islander is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Islander cracks James with a solid left hand.
Islander throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as James works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Islander connects with a couple of short punches.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Islander drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but James manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Islander has James in his guard.

Islander tries to strike from the bottom.
Islander is trying to keep James in close.
Islander utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
James is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
James preventing the sweep.

Islander has his foot on James's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. James works his way back into a safe position though.
Islander utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Islander manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. James manages to get himself to full guard.

James 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.
Islander slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
James is breathing heavily.
James wants to stand but Islander is controlling the position.
Islander distracts James with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Islander's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
James 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.
James avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Islander in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Islander working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Islander loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We've been informed that Islander has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Islander drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Islander jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Islander throws a big right hand that misses.
Islander is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Islander throwing strikes from guard but James blocks nicely.
Islander missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Islander is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Islander trying to control the position from guard on top but James is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Islander might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control James haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Islander wants to get up but he can't break James's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Islander closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into James's guard.
Islander content to stall in guard here.
Islander is working James over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Just Islander dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Islander shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
James wants to get back to his feet but Islander is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We've been hearing good reports from James's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Islander pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. James is keeping the position for now.
Just Islander has got the better of the ground game so far.
James 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.
James on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if James tries to get out of the position.
James keeping moving, preventing Islander from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Islander drops back looking for a leg! James is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and James manages to kick Islander off! Islander jumps back into James's guard.

Islander is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! James is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! James has escaped and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Islander looking for a guillotine here but James defends easily.
Islander has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Islander looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Islander working for a triangle but James defends it easily.
Islander avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
James throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Islander works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Islander looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Islander trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Islander is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Islander avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Islander working a defensive guard here.
James throws a big elbow that misses.

Islander escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. James gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Islander is looking for a triangle but James pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James throwing strikes from guard but Islander blocks nicely.
James missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as James accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Islander is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
James throwing strikes but missing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Islander is trying to keep James in close.
Islander looking to hit a scissor sweep but James is one step ahead there.

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.
Islander can't keep his opponent in guard - James advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Islander keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
James not landing any meaningful shots this time.
James thows a huge punch but Islander dodges it nicely.
Islander manages to get to full guard.

Islander has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but James can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Islander throwing short punches from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
James throws a big elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Just Islander will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

James misses with a jab, cross combination.
James throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Islander counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Islander drops an elbow to the side of James's head.
Islander not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Islander missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
James is looking for a sweep. Islander is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Islander is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Islander connects with a nice short shot to James's temple.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Islander seems to be working for a kimura but James defends the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James tries to kick Islander off but Islander keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Islander seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Islander seems to be looking for submissions.
James on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Islander takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

James is rocked!
Islander is sitting in half guard. He's postured up and lands a nice elbow. Oh, James is hurt! He's hurt bad - Islander fires away with more strikes and the referee jumps in to save James from any more punishment! Congratulations to Islander! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Just Islander!
Just Islander made sure to mention his sponsor, Leviathan Clothing in his post fight interview.