PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Delode (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Edwards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Delode
vs
Edwards

225 cm
25
190 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

200 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, James Delode!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, James Edwards!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Michael Johnstone and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Delode has a takedown stuffed.
James Delode seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Edwards is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Delode working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Delode can't find room to land a body shot as Edwards controls the action.
Delode scores with a shot to the side of Edwards's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Edwards has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Delode is trying to keep an underhook but Edwards manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Delode manages to escape and get back to his feet!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Delode looks for a takedown but Edwards sprawls well.
Delode tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Edwards swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Delode. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Edwards will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Delode is defended easily by Edwards.
Delode closes the distance and clinches up with Edwards, looking for a takedown. Delode pushes Edwards against the cage but Edwards circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Edwards shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Delode tries to score a power double leg takedown but Edwards sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Delode somewhat.
Delode is breathing heavily.
Delode is trying hard to land a takedown here. Edwards sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Delode shoots in but no luck this time.
Delode misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Delode slaps away a takedown attempt from Edwards, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Edwards moves in looking to clinch but Delode pushes him off.
Edwards looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Edwards shoots in and gets a takedown into Delode's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Edwards wants to control from the top but Delode keeps moving.
Edwards is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Edwards advances to half guard.
Delode trying to control from the bottom.
Ground and pound from Edwards.
Edwards thows a huge punch but Delode dodges it nicely.
Edwards controlling the pace.
Edwards lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Delode has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Edwards is working away from the top position though.
Edwards wants to lay and pray for a moment but Delode keeps working.

Edwards stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Edwards misses with a jab, cross combination.
Edwards tries to score a power double leg takedown but Delode sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Edwards somewhat.
Delode tries to counter with a takedown but Edwards is quick to defend against it.
Delode tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Edwards defends well and Delode ends up having to push Edwards into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Edwards moves in looking to clinch but Delode pushes him off.
Edwards closes the distance and clinches up with Delode, looking for a takedown. Edwards pushes Delode against the cage but Delode circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Delode shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Edwards as he avoids it easily.

Edwards shoots in and bounces Delode off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Delode kicks Edwards off and gets to his feet.
Delode shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Edwards fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Delode sprawls well initially but Edwards persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Delode is not content to let Edwards control the position.
Edwards seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Delode controlling the position well.
Edwards seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Delode does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but James Edwards will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Edwards gets the takedown into side control.
Delode tries to bench press Edwards off him but Edwards keeps the position.

Edwards thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Delode seems a little lost for a moment, as Edwards dominates the positioning.
Delode tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Edwards trying to control the position but Delode is working away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Edwards is chipping away with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edwards trying to control the action but Delode is working from the bottom.
Delode avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Edwards.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Edwards trying to control the action but Delode is working from the bottom.
Delode is pushing Edwards's head away, looking to escape. Edwards manages to hold on to the position though.
Edwards working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Delode is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Edwards is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Edwards controlling from side mount.

Edwards swings around for an armbar but Delode sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Edwards's guard.
Delode really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Edwards trying to control the position.
Edwards keeping moving, preventing Delode from controlling successfully.
Edwards throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Delode is pushing down on Edwards's leg trying to pass to half guard. Edwards is fighting to maintain full guard but Delode has managed to sneak the leg through.
Well, if Delode is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Delode tries to stand and escape but Edwards is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Delode escapes and gets back to his feet.
Delode avoids a kick to the body.
Delode shoots in looking for a takedown. Edwards tries to sprawl out of it but Delode keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Edwards manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Delode has his takedown stuffed

and Edwards counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Delode!
Edwards wants to lay and pray for a moment but Delode keeps working.
Edwards has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Edwards tries for a kimura but Delode is defending well.
Edwards is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Delode's shoulder. That is not cool.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edwards working the ground and pound.
Edwards is working Delode over with some ground and pound from side control.
Delode struggling a bit here.
Edwards landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Edwards lands some shots froms side control.

Edwards tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Edwards working the head with strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Delode tries to buck Edwards off but Edwards is having none of it.
Delode stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Edwards showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Delode shoots in but no luck this time.
Delode shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Edwards pinned against the cage. Edwards gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Delode has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Edwards.
Delode shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Edwards pinned against the cage. Edwards gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Delode. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Delode displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Edwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Edwards shoots in for a double leg but Delode sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Edwards fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Delode, pushing him back against the cage.
Edwards wants a takedown but no success here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Edwards is trying to maintain a safe position but Delode gets an underhook and turns Edwards into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edwards looking for a takedown.
Delode fails to pull guard.
Edwards tries to pull guard but Delode won't allow it.

Edwards has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Delode clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Edwards softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Edwards trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Delode controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad spot.
Delode tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Delode is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Edwards takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Edwards trying to control but Delode is having none of it.

Edwards has hold of Delode's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Delode manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

Edwards looking to secure an arm triangle but Delode defends it well.
Edwards with a couple of short strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Edwards takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Delode manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Delode is holding on to half guard well.
Edwards seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Delode does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Delode tries to roll over but Edwards keeps him under control.
Edwards is thwarting Delode's attempts to control the position.
Ground and pound from Edwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Delode wants to get back to his feet.
Edwards looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Edwards tries to stand but can't do so whilst Delode controls his leg.
Edwards working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Edwards performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Edwards wants to pass to mount but Delode is defending the position.
James Delode has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James Edwards is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Edwards with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Edwards comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Edwards 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Edwards!