PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Jones (ranked 4145 p4p, 446 weight class) and Austin Yates (ranked 4663 p4p, 482 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Jones
vs
Yates

193 cm
25
193 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

186 cm
24
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid 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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, John Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Austin Yates!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Bart Greer and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yates slips a jab and a cross from Jones.
Jones turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Yates shoots in looking for a takedown but Jones manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Yates's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A little feinted left hand from Jones on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Jones gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Yates to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Yates from controlling successfully.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Jones holds on and takes a little breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yates content to stall in guard here.
Yates has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Temp Spar Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Yates is looking to work some ground and pound but Jones has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Jones prevents Yates from improving his position.
Jones thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Yates is holding on to half guard well.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Jones in particular looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Yates does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Jones is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Yates doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Jones.
Yates is refusing to be controlled, as Jones sits in half guard.
Yates is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Jones controlling the action here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Jones fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yates manages to avoid it.
Yates fails with a takedown attempt.
Jones looks to score with a jab to the body but Yates is just out of range.
Jones throws a hook but Yates blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Yates avoids the body shot from Jones.
Yates tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Jones lands with a slapping head kick.
Yates gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Jones counters with a lovely straight right hand!
John Jones has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Austin Yates.
Jones cracks the inside of Yates's front leg.
A nice combination there by Jones.
Yates needs to keep his hands up - Jones had a free shot at his head there.

Jones gets caught napping as Yates dives in and scores a takedown. Jones manages to retain guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Yates stopping the sweep attempt from Jones.
Jones is looking to stand up but Yates isn't so interested in that idea.
Yates tries to free his leg and advance position but Jones is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Jones dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Jones throws the kick towards the body but Yates avoids it.
John Jones seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jones misses with a head kick.

Yates drives through with a takedown into guard.
Jones can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Yates controls the pace.
Jones is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jones is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Yates can do to turn this around?
Jones is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yates controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Yates stands and throws Jones's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Yates stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones throws a sloppy head kick and Yates moves out of range easily.
Yates shoots in looking for a takedown. Jones tries to sprawl out of it but Yates keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Jones manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A nice inside leg kick there by Jones. That's going to slow Yates down.

Yates fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Jones to the ground. Yates is now in Jones's guard.

Jones kicks Yates off and gets to his feet.
Jones is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Yates shoots in for a takedown but Jones shows good takedown defense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yates takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Jones buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice shot lands for Jones.

Yates is rocked!
Jones throws a powerful right kick. Yates tried to block low but the kick was high! Yates was taken right off of his feet! Jones jumps in to finish the job and the ref tackles him! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:25 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). John Jones!
After the fight, John Jones was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.