PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Avi Ben Yosef (ranked 6106 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jace Livings (ranked 6104 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.

Ben Yosef
vs
Livings

180 cm
21
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight 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, Avi Ben Yosef!
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, Jace Livings!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Columbo Gatti and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Livings, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Ben Yosef gets a clinch.

Livings drags the fight down to the ground.

Ben Yosef gets to his feet. Livings looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Ben Yosef defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Livings.

Ben Yosef rushes Livings and presses him up against the cage.
Livings is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Livings can't break the clinch.

Livings gets control of Ben Yosef's arms and successfully pulls guard. Livings will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Livings throws his legs up looking for a submission but Ben Yosef uses it to pass to side control.
Ben Yosef taking a breather here.
Livings tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ben Yosef stands up.
Livings fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Livings tries to keep at a distance but Ben Yosef has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ben Yosef drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Livings is looking to control Ben Yosef's arms but Ben Yosef gets an underhook and turns him. Now Livings has his back to the cage.
Ben Yosef goes for a takedown in the clinch but Livings prevents it.
Livings can't break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Livings jumps guard but Ben Yosef stands there with Livings around his waist. Livings gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Avi Ben Yosef has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jace Livings.
Livings wants to break the clinch but can't.

Livings manages to pull guard.
Ben Yosef postures up.
Ben Yosef throwing strikes but missing.
Ben Yosef has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Livings looking to control but Ben Yosef passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ben Yosef prevents Livings from standing back up.
Ben Yosef missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Livings is trying to maintain the position but Ben Yosef is very close to passing his half guard.
Ben Yosef thows a huge punch but Livings dodges it nicely.
Ben Yosef thows a huge punch but Livings dodges it nicely.
Ben Yosef is thwarting Livings's attempts to control the position.
Ben Yosef not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ben Yosef sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Livings defending well though.

That's four 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.

Ben Yosef decides to stand up.
Livings with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ben Yosef counters with a nice kick to the body.
Livings wants to clinch.
Ben Yosef throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Livings throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Livings looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Livings throws a right hand that Ben Yosef ducks under and follows up with a left that Ben Yosef also avoids with ease.
Ben Yosef shoots in but Livings avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Avi Ben Yosef dominated that round.
That's time! Ben Yosef's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ben Yosef closes the distance and clinches.
Ben Yosef is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Livings can do to turn this around?
Ben Yosef fails to pull guard.

Ben Yosef manages to break the clinch.
Livings tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ben Yosef defends well and Livings ends up having to push Ben Yosef into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Ben Yosef gets a clinch.
Livings is working for takedown but Ben Yosef is calmly controlling the position for now.
Ben Yosef wants a takedown.
Livings lands a shoulder strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ben Yosef goes for a takedown attempt but Livings pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Avi Ben Yosef. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ben Yosef shoots for a takedown but Livings saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Livings tries to counter by closing the distance.
Livings tries to score with a low kick but Ben Yosef moves his leg out of the way.
Ben Yosef looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Livings is fending him off so far but Ben Yosef persists. Nope, Livings circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Ben Yosef.
Livings dives in for a single leg takedown but Ben Yosef sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Ben Yosef was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Livings tests Ben Yosef's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ben Yosef fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Livings is defended easily by Ben Yosef.
Livings tries for a takedown but Ben Yosef sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ben Yosef misses with a series of wild punches.
Livings wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Livings misses with a takedown attempt

and Ben Yosef holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Ben Yosef breaks from the clinch.
Livings tries to clinch there but Ben Yosef circles away.
Livings looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ben Yosef is fending him off so far but Livings persists. Nope, Ben Yosef circles away and we're back to standing.
Livings on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Livings is looking to clinch but Ben Yosef is avoiding it.

Ben Yosef clinches up with Livings and pushes him back against the cage.

Ben Yosef breaks from the clinch.
Ben Yosef tries to score a power double leg takedown but Livings sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ben Yosef somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Livings tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ben Yosef manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ben Yosef shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Livings sprawls well. Livings wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ben Yosef gets slowly back to his feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Livings looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ben Yosef swats away the attempt to clinch by Livings.
A head kick from Ben Yosef lands but Livings takes it in his stride.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ben Yosef.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Livings shoots in for a double leg but Ben Yosef sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Good work by Ben Yosef as he checks the leg kick.
Ben Yosef shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Livings but Livings pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Livings changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Livings misses with a takedown attempt - Ben Yosef sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ben Yosef is looking for a counter combo.
Livings fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Livings looks for a takedown but Ben Yosef sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Avi Ben Yosef dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Livings avoids the head kick by Ben Yosef.

Ben Yosef closes the distance and clinches.
Nice elbow from Ben Yosef.

Ben Yosef drags the fight down to the ground.
Ben Yosef trying to keep a closed guard but Livings is proving a slippery customer.
Livings scoring with some ground and pound.
Ben Yosef tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Livings trying to control but Ben Yosef is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ben Yosef looking for a sweep. Not yet Ben Yosef, not yet.
Livings wants to control from the top but Ben Yosef keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Livings is defended easily by Ben Yosef.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ben Yosef.
Ben Yosef dives in and grabs Livings's left leg, looking for a takedown. Livings pushes down on Ben Yosef's head and hops out.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two 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.
Livings defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ben Yosef.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Avi Ben Yosef. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Livings shoots in for a takedown but Ben Yosef shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Livings misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Livings.
Ben Yosef stuffs the takedown.

Ben Yosef has closed the distance and engaged Livings in a clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Ben Yosef obliges.
Livings is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Ben Yosef lands a nice knee to the body.
Livings wants to break free but Ben Yosef has control.
Livings can't break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Livings has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ben Yosef after a bit of a struggle.
Livings prevents the takedown attempt.
A bit of stalling here from Livings.
Ben Yosef content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Ben Yosef changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Livings fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Livings is looking to clinch.
Livings misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ben Yosef fails with a takedown attempt.
Livings fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ben Yosef lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Livings connects with a body shot that sends Ben Yosef's belly button to the back.
Ben Yosef blocks a head kick by Livings.
Livings shoots and misses
and Ben Yosef counters with a big head kick but Livings shrugs it off.
The fight stays on the outside here - Livings looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Avi Ben Yosef is winning the standup battle so far.
Ben Yosef keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Ben Yosef clinches up against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ben Yosef breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jace Livings has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Avi Ben Yosef is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ben Yosef avoids the head kick by Livings.

And that's the end of the fight!
Avi Ben Yosef showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ben Yosef has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Avi Ben Yosef!