PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Cahal Jefferson (ranked 1865 p4p, 90 weight class) and James Osterberg (ranked 2137 p4p, 100 weight class). James Osterberg will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Jefferson
vs
Osterberg

150 cm
25
142 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

168 cm
24
139 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Good kicks
Granite chin

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

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 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Cahal Jefferson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, James Osterberg!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Reed Andrews and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Osterberg tries to clinch up.
Jefferson throws a leg kick but Osterberg sees it coming and moves out of range.
Jefferson misses with an uppercut.
A big right from Jefferson misses.
Osterberg is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Jefferson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Osterberg throws a combination. Jefferson tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Jefferson throws a wild body kick that Osterberg sees coming a mile off.
Osterberg looks to land a body kick but Jefferson moved away.
We've been told by Jefferson's head coaches at Doherty's Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Osterberg steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Jefferson.
Osterberg slips a straight right by Jefferson.
Jefferson loads up on a big right hand but Osterberg slips the punch.
Osterberg raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Osterberg throws a head kick that misses.
Jefferson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Jefferson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Osterberg cracks Jefferson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jefferson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Osterberg's head backwards.
Osterberg tries to clinch up but Jefferson circles away and keeps his distance.
Jefferson throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Osterberg throws a body kick that misses
and Jefferson counters with a solid body kick.
Jefferson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Jefferson avoids the head kick by Osterberg.
Jefferson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Osterberg.
Osterberg throws a hook but Jefferson blocks it.
Jefferson scores with a crisp jab that stopped Osterberg in his tracks.
Jefferson throws a big shot that misses.
Osterberg fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Osterberg throws a head kick that misses
and Jefferson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Jefferson scores with a kick to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The fighters circling - Jefferson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Jefferson throws the left hand but Osterberg avoids the punch easily.
Jefferson takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Osterberg doesn't manage to clinch there - Jefferson circles away.
Osterberg swings for the body but Jefferson moves out of range.
Osterberg avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Osterberg looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Jefferson throws a big shot that misses.
Osterberg tries to clinch but Jefferson is having none of it.
Osterberg lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Jefferson circles away quickly and effectively.
Jefferson throws a lazy right hand but Osterberg sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Jefferson throws a leg kick but Osterberg sees it coming and moves out of range.
Jefferson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Cahal Jefferson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Osterberg misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Jefferson.
Osterberg tries to clinch up.
A low kick from Jefferson misses

and Osterberg counters with a nice double leg into side control. Jefferson won't be happy with that.

Jefferson throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Jefferson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Jefferson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jefferson misses with an uppercut

and Osterberg counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Jefferson makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Osterberg throws a half hearted mid kick.
Jefferson appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
A head kick misses from Osterberg.
Osterberg defending well as Jefferson loads up on a big left hand.
Osterberg moves out of range of the leg kick from Jefferson.
Jefferson throws a looping overhand right but Osterberg ducks down to avoid it.
Osterberg tries to counter with a clinch but Jefferson shakes him off and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jefferson takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Jefferson throws a leg kick that is checked

and Osterberg counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Osterberg.

Jefferson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A jab lands there for Jefferson.
Jefferson misses with an uppercut. Osterberg saw that one coming.
A jab from Jefferson misses.
Jefferson throws a leg kick but Osterberg sees it coming and moves out of range.
Osterberg tries to counter by closing the distance.
Osterberg has a takedown stuffed.
A big left from Jefferson misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A slapping body kick lands there for Osterberg.
Jefferson cracks Osterberg with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Jefferson misses with the body kick

and Osterberg counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Jefferson!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jefferson scores with a hook.
A shot to the body from Jefferson misses

and Osterberg counters with a shoot takedown. Jefferson fights it but they end up in guard.
Jefferson wants to get back to his feet but Osterberg is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Osterberg pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jefferson is keeping the position for now.
Osterberg throws a big elbow that misses.
Cahal Jefferson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Jefferson wants to stand but Osterberg is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Osterberg trying to control the position from guard on top but Jefferson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jefferson wants to stand and escape but Osterberg is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jefferson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Osterberg.
Osterberg won't allow Jefferson to get back to his feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Jefferson loads up on a big right hand but Osterberg slips the punch.
Jefferson sets himself, and Osterberg steps forward looking for the clinch! Jefferson avoids it this time.
Jefferson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Osterberg can do to turn this around?
Jefferson cracks Osterberg with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Jefferson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Osterberg.
Osterberg bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Osterberg misses with a body kick.
Osterberg sizes up Jefferson with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Nice sprawl there from Jefferson as Osterberg shoots in.
Jefferson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Osterberg lands with a kick to the temple. Jefferson shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
A decent looking cross lands there for Jefferson.
Osterberg will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jefferson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Jefferson loads up on a big right hand but Osterberg slips the punch.
Jefferson misses with an uppercut. Osterberg saw that one coming.
Osterberg with the counter takedown but Jefferson avoids it easily.
Osterberg tries to clinch up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Osterberg tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jefferson throws a jab but it's blocked by Osterberg.
Cahal Jefferson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Jefferson connects with a body shot that sends Osterberg's belly button to the back.
Jefferson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The crowd cheers as Osterberg lands an impressive looking overhand right. Jefferson doesn't seem phased though.
Osterberg steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Jefferson.
Jefferson misses with a lunging right hand

and Osterberg counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Jefferson manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Osterberg keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jefferson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Osterberg takes the fight into the clinch.

Osterberg breaks from the clinch.
Osterberg misses with a looping right.
Osterberg takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Jefferson misses with a looping right.
Jefferson looks to throw the jab but Osterberg is out of range.
Osterberg displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Jefferson throws out the jab.
Osterberg throws an off balance right hand
and Jefferson counters with a straight right hand.
Jefferson scores with a hook.
Osterberg misses with an attempted mid kick.
A head kick from Jefferson lands but Osterberg takes it in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jefferson swings widly with a right hand

and Osterberg counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Osterberg.
Jefferson is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Osterberg dives into side control.

Osterberg goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Jefferson rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Osterberg's guard! Nice work there by Jefferson!
Jefferson wants to get up but he can't break Osterberg's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Jefferson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Jefferson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Osterberg, up you get!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Jefferson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cahal Jefferson dominated that second 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Osterberg throws the kick towards the body but Jefferson avoids it.
Jefferson throws a leg kick that is checked

and Osterberg counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Osterberg wants to control from the top but Jefferson keeps moving.
Osterberg stands up over Jefferson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Jefferson wants to stand up but Osterberg is controlling him.
Jefferson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Osterberg won't allow Jefferson to get back to his feet.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Osterberg working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Osterberg is looking to advance position but Jefferson has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Osterberg working to try and regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jefferson stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Jefferson misses with an uppercut. Osterberg saw that one coming.
Osterberg has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Osterberg takes one on the button.
Jefferson lands with an overhand left.
Jefferson misses with a head kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Jefferson.
Jefferson throws a hook to the side of Osterberg's head but Osterberg sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Osterberg pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Osterberg drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Nice uppercut lands for Jefferson. That snapped Osterberg's head back.
Cahal Jefferson is winning the standup battle so far.
Osterberg lands with an uppercut that bounces Jefferson off the cage and back into range.
James Osterberg has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Jefferson misses its intended target.
Osterberg displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Jefferson throws out the jab.
Osterberg on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Osterberg explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Osterberg misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jefferson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Jefferson throws a hook but Osterberg avoids it easily.
Jefferson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Osterberg sizes up Jefferson with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Jefferson misses with an uppercut

and Osterberg counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Jefferson makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Jefferson tries to work over Osterberg's front leg with a kick but Osterberg checks it.
Osterberg looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Osterberg shoots in and bounces Jefferson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Jefferson wants to get back to his feet but Osterberg is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Osterberg stays in close to Jefferson's body and controls the position.

Jefferson is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Osterberg.

Jefferson manages to break the clinch.
Osterberg slips a jab from Jefferson.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Osterberg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Osterberg wants to land a leg kick but Jefferson is out of range.
Osterberg tests Jefferson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Jefferson throws a jab but it's blocked by Osterberg.
Osterberg is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Osterberg blocks the body kick.
Jefferson misses with a straight left.
Jefferson connects with a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jefferson misses with a hook. Osterberg ducked under it nicely.
Osterberg slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Osterberg misses with an attempted mid kick.
Osterberg moves out of range as Jefferson throws a body kick.
Osterberg avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cahal Jefferson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Jefferson throws a head kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cahal Jefferson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Jefferson, 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cahal Jefferson!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Cahal Jefferson made sure he mentioned Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200), along with how happy he was to win his fight.
In defeat, James Osterberg stepped up to the mic, saying 'No worries! Everyone knows that my opponent here has a bad habit of testing positive for PEDs and illegal recreational drugs, so I'm confident this fight will soon be ruled a "No Contest." Thanks everyone for continuing to support those of us who fight clean.'.