PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Caleb Ben Joshua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Normand Cleveland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ben Joshua comes to the cage accompanied by Krav Maga- KABANOS. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Normand Cleveland enters the cage!

Ben Joshua
vs
Cleveland

187 cm
23
196 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

164 cm
28
208 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

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 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Caleb Ben Joshua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Normand Cleveland!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Trevor Gratis and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ben Joshua connects with a body shot.
Ben Joshua tries to bum rush Cleveland with a series of wild strikes but Cleveland uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ben Joshua looks to land a combination but Cleveland avoids it well.
Cleveland showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ben Joshua.
Caleb Ben Joshua seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ben Joshua lands a head shot.
Cleveland throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ben Joshua's waist but Ben Joshua gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cleveland off to one side.
Ben Joshua throws a nice looking combination but Cleveland bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ben Joshua misses with a wild combination.
Cleveland is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ben Joshua lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cleveland circles away quickly and effectively.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ben Joshua misses with a few strikes there.
Cleveland drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ben Joshua defends it well.
Ben Joshua misses with a double jab

and Cleveland counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ben Joshua controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Ben Joshua keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ben Joshua makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ben Joshua.
Cleveland throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ben Joshua works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ben Joshua will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ben Joshua tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cleveland postures up and lands a big shot to Ben Joshua's brow.
Cleveland has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cleveland wants to control from the top but Ben Joshua keeps moving.
Cleveland postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Cleveland postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cleveland throws a big right hand that misses.
Ben Joshua looking for a sweep. Not yet Ben Joshua, not yet.
Ben Joshua seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Cleveland with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Cleveland trying to control the position from guard on top but Ben Joshua is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ben Joshua knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Cleveland on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ben Joshua is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Cleveland trying to control but Ben Joshua is working from the bottom.
Ben Joshua looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Cleveland's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Ben Joshua wants to stand up but Cleveland is controlling him.
Ben Joshua is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Cleveland is working Ben Joshua over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Cleveland in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cleveland working some strikes from top position.
Ben Joshua looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cleveland is one step ahead there.
Ben Joshua keeping moving, preventing Cleveland from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ben Joshua is trying to control the position but Cleveland postures up.
Cleveland throwing strikes from guard but Ben Joshua blocks nicely.
Ben Joshua not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Cleveland wants to control from the top but Ben Joshua keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cleveland content to stall in guard here.
Ben Joshua wants to stand up but Cleveland is controlling him.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ben Joshua lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Ben Joshua.
A punch combination from Ben Joshua misses.
Cleveland shoots in for a double leg but Ben Joshua sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ben Joshua misses with a two punch combination.
Cleveland on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ben Joshua closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Ben Joshua lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ben Joshua misses with a series of wild punches.
Cleveland shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ben Joshua sprawls well. Ben Joshua wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cleveland gets slowly back to his feet.
Caleb Ben Joshua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Normand Cleveland.
Ben Joshua throws a right and a left that both miss.
No joy there for Ben Joshua, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ben Joshua wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ben Joshua lands a jab-cross combination.
Ben Joshua throws a right and a left that Cleveland avoids nicely.
Cleveland shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ben Joshua defends it nicely.
It looked like Ben Joshua was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Cleveland.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Caleb Ben Joshua dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Ben Joshua!
Ben Joshua throws a nice looking combination but Cleveland bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cleveland is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ben Joshua jabs Cleveland to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Cleveland misses with a takedown attempt
and Ben Joshua counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Cleveland avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ben Joshua is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cleveland can do to turn this around?
Sloppy strikes from Ben Joshua. Those never looked like landing.
Cleveland changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Sloppy strikes from Ben Joshua. Those never looked like landing.
Cleveland 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.
Cleveland shoots in for a takedown but Ben Joshua shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ben Joshua moves into range and connects with a jab.
Ben Joshua will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cleveland changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Ben Joshua scores with a three punch combo!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cleveland shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ben Joshua but Ben Joshua pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Caleb Ben Joshua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Normand Cleveland.
Ben Joshua tries to bum rush Cleveland with a series of wild strikes but Cleveland uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Cleveland takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Caleb Ben Joshua is winning the standup battle so far.
Ben Joshua misses with a few strikes there.
Cleveland tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Ben Joshua shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Cleveland eats them both and turns towards Ben Joshua to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Ben Joshua throws a shot to the body.
Cleveland should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Ben Joshua misses with a few strikes there.
Cleveland drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ben Joshua defends it well.
Ben Joshua misses with a two punch combination.
Cleveland showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ben Joshua.
Ben Joshua is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Ben Joshua lands with a nice combination. Cleveland backs away looking to recover.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cleveland uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ben Joshua.
Ben Joshua jabs at Cleveland's body.

Cleveland looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Ben Joshua!
Ben Joshua is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Cleveland has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Ben Joshua sneaks out the side door and pushes Cleveland away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Ben Joshua lands a two punch combo.
Ben Joshua misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cleveland is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cleveland dodges the punch combination from Ben Joshua.
And Cleveland tries to counter it with a takedown but Ben Joshua pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ben Joshua is working the combinations to good effect here.
Cleveland slips a jab and a cross from Ben Joshua.
Ben Joshua throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A punch combination from Ben Joshua misses.
Cleveland shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ben Joshua as he jumps to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ben Joshua will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cleveland tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ben Joshua swivels and escapes.
Ben Joshua misses with a two punch combination.
Ben Joshua swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cleveland shoots in and drives through. Ben Joshua sprawls well.
It looked like Ben Joshua was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Cleveland has eaten all the pies!
Ben Joshua swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cleveland is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ben Joshua swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Cleveland counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Ben Joshua!

Ben Joshua explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Cleveland tries for a takedown but Ben Joshua sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ben Joshua throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Cleveland tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Ben Joshua misses with a double jab.
And Cleveland tries to counter it with a takedown but Ben Joshua pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ben Joshua fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Cleveland on the side of the head.
A punch combination from Ben Joshua misses.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Ben Joshua here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Cleveland dodges the punch combination from Ben Joshua.
Ben Joshua misses with a double jab

and Cleveland counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Cleveland lands a nice short elbow.
Cleveland looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Cleveland working over Ben Joshua with some ground and pound. Ben Joshua looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Cleveland is nestled in close to Ben Joshua, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Cleveland is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Normand Cleveland has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ben Joshua is trying to control but can't.
Ben Joshua blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cleveland.
Ben Joshua wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Caleb Ben Joshua dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ben Joshua lands with an uppercut that bounces Cleveland off the cage and back into range.
Ben Joshua looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ben Joshua throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nice shot by Ben Joshua.
Ben Joshua throws a left and a right that both miss

and Cleveland counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Ben Joshua is looking to control Cleveland's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ben Joshua avoid being mounted?
Cleveland thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ben Joshua's head.
Cleveland passes the guard and advances to mount!
Ben Joshua taking shots to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cleveland with a couple of short strikes.
Ben Joshua keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cleveland working away from the top, dropping strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ben Joshua is bucking up trying to escape but Cleveland cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Cleveland content just to control the position here.
Cleveland looking to control but Ben Joshua is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Ben Joshua tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Cleveland fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Cleveland lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Cleveland unloading with bombs!
Cleveland breaks from Ben Joshua's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Cleveland lands a big shot there that rocks Ben Joshua but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Ben Joshua wants to control but Cleveland is having none of it.
Cleveland connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Cleveland cracks Ben Joshua with a big head shot that has him covering up instantly! He's rolled onto his side and the referee has seen enough - this one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Normand Cleveland!
The defeated Caleb Ben Joshua had this to say: 'I will simply go back, get better, and eventually become unbeatable in the CEFC.'.