PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Xue Sheng James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Goode (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sheng James
vs
Goode

165 cm
22
140 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

160 cm
20
141 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Xue Sheng James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Johnny Goode!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Konstantin Menshow and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Goode is fending him off so far but James persists. Nope, Goode circles away and we're back to standing.
James misses with a head kick.
Goode shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says James as he avoids it easily.
Goode shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and James counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Goode keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

James postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Goode to stand up.

Goode gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
James preventing the sweep.
Goode wants to hit a switch here but James passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Goode there!
Goode tries to reverse the position but James maintains control.
Goode is squirming around, avoiding James's attempts to control the action.
Goode regains half guard.
James is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James working Goode over with strikes.
Goode makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Goode.
James controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Goode had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. James is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Goode Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take James's back instead.

Goode looking for the choke but no joy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

James is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Goode gets his way!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James wants to escape the position.
James is working hard here to advance position.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Goode's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
James turns into Goode and is now in his guard.

Goode has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but James can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Goode can't keep his opponent in guard - James advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goode is looking for a sweep. James is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
James sitting and controlling from the half guard.
James prevents Goode from improving his position.
James is keen to just control but Goode is a slippery customer.
Goode wants to improve his position but James is controlling well.

Goode is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but James pulls his head out easily.

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.
James not doing much here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Goode shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and James counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Xue Sheng James has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Goode.
James tries to stand but Goode is controlling from the bottom.
James preventing the sweep.
James slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
James scoring with punches from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xue Sheng James dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

James shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Goode but Goode pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Goode will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
James fails to land the takedown.

Goode closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Goode lands in his opponent's guard.
James keeping moving, preventing Goode from controlling successfully.
Goode won't allow James to get back to his feet.
James wants to sweep but no luck.
Goode slips nicely into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Goode is looking to take a break and control but James is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Xue Sheng James overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James is defending against the submission attempts here by Goode.
James has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Goode is working away from the top position though.
James is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Goode's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Goode's back!
James punishes Goode with strikes from the back mount.
Goode looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
James scores with punches from the back.
James is trying to stick to Goode's back but Goode is turning into James. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in James's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Goode.
Goode stopping the sweep attempt from James.

Goode drops back looking for a leg! James is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and James manages to kick Goode off! Goode jumps back into James's guard.
James wants to stand and escape but Goode is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Goode shoots and misses

and James counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Goode!
James lands a nice shot to the head.
Goode is trying desperately to improve position.
Goode sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
James is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Goode moves into full guard.

James decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goode throws a head kick that misses.
Goode misses with a head kick.

James takes the fight into the clinch.
Goode tries for a takedown. No joy.
Goode tries to pull guard but James holds him up against the cage and eventually Goode drops back down to his feet.
Xue Sheng James has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Goode.
James tries for a takedown. No joy.
Goode tries for a takedown but James manages to get underhooks.
Goode tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. James just stands there and leans against the cage.
James wants a takedown.
James is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Goode is keeping busy.
James wants to break the clinch but can't.

Goode gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Johnny Goode will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

James moves into the clinch.
Goode drops down looking for an ankle pick but James pulls his leg out and moves away.

James rushes Goode and presses him up against the cage.
James dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
James lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

James breaks from the clinch.
James gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Goode counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Goode.
Goode is trying to drag James to the mat but James just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Goode tries to score a body lock takedown but James shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Xue Sheng James has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Goode.

James has clasped his hands together around Goode's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
You can see the frustration on Goode's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

James tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James gets to mount! Goode was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Goode is desperately trying to improve his position but James has a good base and remains in mount.
James controlling from mount.
Goode regains half guard.

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.
Goode is doing well to control the position and prevent James from advancing to side control.
Goode won't allow James to pass to mount.
James prevents Goode from improving his position.
Goode slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
James throwing strikes but missing.
Goode is adopting a defensive guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Goode looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
James in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
James postures up in Goode's guard and throws a big left but Goode blocks it.
Goode manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. James manages to get himself to full guard.

Goode postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! James is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Goode, into his guard.

Goode looking for a guillotine here but James defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goode wants to hit a switch here but James passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Goode there!
Goode is in all sorts of trouble here.
James with the ground and pound from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Xue Sheng James.
I think James has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:28
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 29:28

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