PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Howlett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manuel James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Howlett
vs
James

160 cm
22
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
22
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite 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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Howlett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Manuel James!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Chad Campbell and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James throws a wild body kick that Howlett sees coming a mile off.

Howlett scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
James tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
James trying to control the position but Howlett manages to sink in the hooks.
James really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Howlett. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
I really don't envy James right now.
James trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
James rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James trying to control but Howlett postures up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Howlett closes the distance and clinches up with James, looking for a takedown. Howlett pushes James against the cage but James circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Howlett really is a fat lump.
James doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Howlett counters by moving into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howlett stalling.
Howlett stops a takedown attempt from James.
Stalling in the clinch from Howlett.
Howlett prevents James from breaking the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Howlett.
Howlett taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Howlett gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.

Howlett pulls guard effortlessly.
James prevents Howlett from getting back to his feet.
James throws and elbow that misses. Howlett uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in James's guard. Nice move by Howlett!
Howlett with a nice head shot there.
Howlett is pushing down on James's leg trying to pass to half guard. James is fighting to maintain full guard but Howlett has managed to sneak the leg through.
Howlett looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
James works his way to full guard. Good work.
James keeping moving, preventing Howlett from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howlett working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of James's head.
James throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
James wants to control the position but Howlett says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
James is controlling Howlett's position as best he can from this difficult position.
James looks gassed!
James wants to control but Howlett is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

James is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Howlett pulls his head out easily.
Howlett is trying to control the action in half guard but James is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James throws a strike from the bottom but Howlett passes into side control!
Howlett is chipping away with strikes.
Howlett wants to control but James is keeping him busy.
James is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
James is not content to let Howlett control the position.
Howlett controlling the position from side mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
James throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if James can do anything to dispel that myth.
James takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Howlett trying to control the position but James is working away.
James struggling a bit here.
James takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
James struggling a bit here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Howlett dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

James misses with a combination
and Howlett counters with a head kick.
Howlett fails in his attempt to clinch.
James misses with a leg kick

and Howlett counters with a shoot takedown. James fights it but they end up in guard.
James is looking to sweep but instead, Howlett has passed into half guard.
Howlett prevents James from standing back up.
Howlett tries to pass the half guard into mount. James knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
James is not content to let Howlett control the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Howlett tries to pass to full mount but James defends it.
James is striking from the bottom but he's now found himself mounted! Oh dear - not enough focus on defense there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Howlett content just to control the position here.
James keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Howlett avoids the attempt from James to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

James is flailing around, obviously not happy about being mounted. Howlett locks hold of one of his arms and spins for an armbar. He's got it! James is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:22 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). James Howlett!