PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sergiusz Ataman (ranked 4065 p4p, 520 weight class) and Ben Jonathon (ranked 5157 p4p, 613 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Ataman
vs
Jonathon

195 cm
30
215 lbs
8 - 12 - 1

190 cm
37
215 lbs
22 - 25 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Powerful

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 8 - 12 - 1, fighting out of New York, Sergiusz Ataman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 25 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ben Jonathon!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Alec Ball and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jonathon blocks a jab.
Jonathon is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ataman getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Ataman scores with the left hand. Jonathon knows he should have avoided that one.
We've been told by Ataman's head coaches at Lovelair Muay Thai/MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Jonathon blocks a low kick nicely.
Ataman connects with the punch.
Jonathon works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ataman scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Ataman throws a hook to the side of Jonathon's head but Jonathon sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sergiusz Ataman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ataman throws a big shot that misses.
Jonathon ducks under a wild hook from Ataman.
Ataman cracks Jonathon with a right hand to the side of the head.
Ataman misses with an uppercut. Jonathon saw that one coming.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ataman. That's going to slow Jonathon down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ataman misses with a wild combination.
Jonathon swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ataman connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Ataman connects with a good right hand that stumbles Jonathon. Jonathon circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Jonathon closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ataman quickly recovers to half guard.
Ataman flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Jonathon scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jonathon lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Jonathon wants to take a breather but Ataman is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ataman trying to control from the bottom.
Ground and pound from Jonathon.
Ataman has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Jonathon is working away from the top position though.

Jonathon is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ataman blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jonathon.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jonathon throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Jonathon is trying to control. Ataman wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Jonathon looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Jonathon content to control rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jonathon wants to work for an arm triangle but Ataman is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ataman taking some punishment here, with Jonathon in his half guard.
Jonathon lands with a punch from half guard.
Jonathon stops Ataman from getting back to his feet.

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.

Jonathon is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ataman doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Jonathon.
Ataman is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Jonathon working Ataman over with strikes.
Ataman wants to improve his position but Jonathon is controlling well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ataman is staying active underneath Jonathon, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Jonathon lands strikes from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sergiusz Ataman will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ataman misses with a straight right.
Ataman misses with a series of wild punches.
Jonathon drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ataman defends it well.
Ataman throws a hook but Jonathon avoids it easily.
Jonathon on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A swing and a miss from Ataman.
Ataman lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Jonathon circles away quickly and effectively.
Ataman throws a right hand that Jonathon ducks under and follows up with a left that Jonathon also avoids with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jonathon steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ataman.
Jonathon changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Jonathon takes one to the side of the head.
Ataman attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Jonathon tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Jonathon closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Jonathon lands in his opponent's guard.

Ataman uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ataman looks to throw a body kick
and Jonathon counters with a straight right hand.
Ataman lands the left hand.
Jonathon blocks the body kick.
Jonathon changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Ataman lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Jonathon closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ataman to the mat! Ataman manages to get full guard.
Ataman wants to get back to his feet but Jonathon is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Jonathon wants to control from the top but Ataman keeps moving.
Jonathon throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jonathon scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Jonathon has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Jonathon trying to control but Ataman is working from the bottom.
Ataman preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ataman keeping moving, preventing Jonathon from controlling successfully.
Ataman striking from his own guard.
Ataman looking to control.
Jonathon trying to control the position from guard on top but Ataman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ataman cracks Jonathon with a good jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ataman throws a series of punches but Jonathon moves out of range.
Jonathon tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Jonathon looks to land a combination but Ataman avoids it well.
Jonathon uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ataman.
Ataman moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Jonathon is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ataman sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ataman looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Jonathon tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Sergiusz Ataman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ataman misses with a leg kick

and Jonathon counters with a single leg into guard. Ataman didn't expect that.
Jonathon trying to control but Ataman is working from the bottom.
Jonathon throws an elbow that misses. Ataman uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Jonathon's guard. Nice move by Ataman!

Jonathon looking for subs off his back but Ataman has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jonathon is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jonathon is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Jonathon is trying to control but can't.

Ataman decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jonathon slips under a jab.
And Jonathon tries to counter it with a takedown but Ataman pushes his down on his head and steps out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergiusz Ataman dominated that second round.
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. This is the final round!

Jonathon avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Jonathon wants to counter the offense by Ataman and move into the clinch position.
Jonathon staying out of range there.
Ataman is looking to chop away at Jonathon's legs.
Ataman clobbers Jonathon with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Ataman throws a hook to the side of Jonathon's head but Jonathon sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ataman tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Jonathon was well out of range. Poor timing from Ataman.
Ataman cracks Jonathon with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Ataman fails to land with a series of punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ataman tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jonathon uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ataman.
A little jabbing left from Jonathon on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ataman stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ataman wants it to stay on the feet.
Jonathon steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ataman.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jonathon steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ataman.
Ataman is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Jonathon can do to turn this around?
Ataman throws a combination that misses

and Jonathon counters with a shoot takedown. Ataman fights it but they end up in guard.
Jonathon postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Jonathon trying to control but Ataman is working from the bottom.

Jonathon has gone for a leg lock! Ataman slips out almost immediately though and dives into Jonathon's guard.

Jonathon looking for a guillotine here but Ataman defends easily.

Jonathon is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ataman is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ataman is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Jonathon is trying to control the position but Ataman postures up.
Jonathon working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ataman.

Jonathon working for submissions but it's allowed Ataman to get to half guard.

Jonathon is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ataman pulls his head out easily.
Jonathon trying to control but Ataman postures up.
Sergiusz Ataman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Ataman is going to stand back up.
Jonathon tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Ataman content to control rather than advance.
Jonathon trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Ataman looking to control and managing it successfully.

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.
Ataman continues to stall.
Ataman prevents Jonathon from getting the reversal.
Jonathon is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Ben Jonathon has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ataman controlling from the full mount.
Jonathon tries to lock up and control but Ataman gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Ben Jonathon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ataman takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jonathon regains half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergiusz Ataman showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ataman, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sergiusz Ataman!
Sergiusz Ataman really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Amped Performance ($200/160q) logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.