PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chris Battle (ranked 4022 p4p, 400 weight class) and Lebron James (ranked 2201 p4p, 230 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Battle
vs
James

200 cm
25
268 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

202 cm
25
268 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Knockdown Clothes

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chris Battle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lebron James!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Alyssa Summers and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Battle shoots in looking for a takedown. James tries to sprawl out of it but Battle keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. James manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
James fails with the takedown

and Battle counters with a single leg into guard. James didn't expect that.
Battle won't allow James to get back to his feet.
Battle with a flurry of punches that miss.
Battle not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Battle's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Battle wants to pass the guard but James is keeping the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
James shoots in but Battle avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Battle appears to be looking for a big counter.
No luck with that takedown attempt from James.
Battle is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from James.
Battle has been working on his balance at Vinny’s Gym *MLC sponsored gym, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by James.
Chris Battle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lebron James.
James works over Battle's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Chris Battle has been cut.

Battle shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches James napping and manages to drive through into side control!
James bucks up and tries to throw Battle off but instead Battle has got his back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Battle throwing damaging strikes from the back! James could be in trouble here!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
James tries to break free.
James takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Battle keeps control of the position as James tries to break free.
Battle throwing damaging strikes from the back! James could be in trouble here!
Battle 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.

Battle has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
James is trying to remain composed but Battle is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Battle lands punches and elbows.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Battle controlling the positon.

Battle is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. James is defending well though. Battle let's go of the attempt for now.
James wants to get back to his feet.

Battle has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, James has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Battle biding his time, looking for the opening.
Battle is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften James up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Battle controls the action.

James defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Battle dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Chris Battle's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from James is defended easily by Battle.
Battle seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
James has a takedown stuffed.
Battle is looking to counter the offense by James and move into the clinch.
Battle tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but James swivels and escapes.
Battle misses with a combination

and James counters by clinching up.
Battle is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that James can do to turn this around?

Battle pulls guard effortlessly.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Battle bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in James's guard.

Battle wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James is trying to control the position from the bottom.
James throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Battle content to stall in guard here.
James looking to control.
Battle is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Battle lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Battle wants to stand but James is controlling his posture from full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
James has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
James shoots in and drives through. Battle sprawls well.
Chris Battle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lebron James.
Jab, jab by James - just one landing.
James looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Battle went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Battle changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. James looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
James tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Battle landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Battle controls the position from side control.
Battle tries to stand but James is controlling his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Battle is controlling him well.
Battle trying to control the action but James is working from the bottom.
James tries to bench press Battle off him but Battle keeps the position.
Battle controls the position.
James regains half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Still in half guard, Battle seems content to control.

Battle is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so James is just riding it out for now. Battle eventually gives up the hold.

Battle is sneakily working for an arm triangle but James sees it coming and defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Battle dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Chris Battle's cut.
That's time! Battle's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Battle is looking to land body kicks.

James looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Battle!
Battle is looking to regain half guard here but James keeps moving and retains side control.
James in side control lands a decent elbow.
James wants to lay and pray for a moment but Battle keeps working.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Battle is looking to reverse the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James trying to control the action but Battle is working from the bottom.
Battle manages to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Battle tries to roll over but James keeps him under control.
James throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
James tries to stand but can't do so whilst Battle controls his leg.
Battle slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Battle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Battle has control of James's left arm, preventing James from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
James with a flurry of punches that miss.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Battle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
James throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
James throws a lazy body kick

and Battle counters with a shoot takedown. James fights it but they end up in guard.
Battle engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Battle is fighting to break James's control of his arms but James is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James looking to hit a scissor sweep but Battle is one step ahead there.
Battle stays in close to James's body and controls the position.

Battle stands and steps away. James gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

James closes the distance and clinches.
James tries to pull guard but Battle forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Battle throws a punch but it's blocked by James.

James manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Battle drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
James bucks up and tries to throw Battle off but instead Battle has got his back!
Chris Battle overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
James wants to control his opponent's hands but Battle gets his hands free.
Battle is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
You can see the frustration on James's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
James just trying to survive but Battle is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Battle lands a shot to the body.
Lebron James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Chris Battle is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Battle biding his time, looking for the opening.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris Battle showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Battle, 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Battle!