PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bernie Strong (ranked 4849 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bobby Jones (ranked 3286 p4p, 159 weight class). Bobby Jones is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Strong
vs
Jones

164 cm
24
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

165 cm
25
130 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bernie Strong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bobby Jones!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Gregory Folan and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Strong feints and as Jones raises his hands in defense, Strong changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Jones trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Jones can do anything to dispel that myth.
Jones seems keen to control Strong's posture.
Strong seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Jones strikes from his own guard.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Strong from controlling successfully.
Jones looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strong throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Strong trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jones avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Strong trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Strong being controlled here momentarily.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Strong closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Jones's guard.
Strong is fighting to break Jones's control of his arms but Jones is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Strong is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Jones has his foot on Strong's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Strong works his way back into a safe position though.
Strong content to stall in guard here.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Strong from controlling successfully.
Strong is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strong trying to control but Jones is working from the bottom.
Strong's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Strong wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.
Jones is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Strong is controlling him.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Jones shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Strong is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Jones.

Jones shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Strong manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Jones looks winded!

Strong looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Strong keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.
Jones connects with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones stays in close to Strong's body and controls the position.
Strong 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.

Strong working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Jones doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Jones manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Jones looking to sit in guard and control but Strong gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Strong is looking to stand up but Jones won't let him.
Jones wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Jones is trying to control the position but Strong postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Strong controls from within his opponent's guard.
Jones pulls Strong in close to his closed guard and prevents Strong from doing any damage or advancing position.
Jones working a defensive guard here.

Jones has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Strong is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jones is trying to drag Strong to the mat but Strong just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Jones goes for a takedown attempt but Strong pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bernie Strong dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Strong feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Strong trying to control but Jones is working from the bottom.
Strong is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Jones is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Strong stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Strong is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Jones can do to turn this around?
Jones shoots in looking for a takedown. Strong tries to sprawl out of it but Jones keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Strong manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Jones gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones looking for a takedown.
Jones is breathing heavily.
Jones changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Strong fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Bernie Strong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bobby Jones.
Jones doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Strong counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Strong misses with a body kick.

Strong manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Jones on his heels. He'll look to pass Jones's guard now, I'm sure.
Jones trying to keep a closed guard but Strong is proving a slippery customer.

Strong thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Strong is stalling in the full guard.
Strong in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strong would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Strong throws a big elbow that misses.
Strong is fighting to break Jones's control of his arms but Jones is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Strong content to stall in guard here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The fight stays on the outside here - Strong looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jones is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jones fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Jones looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Strong is fending him off so far but Jones persists. Nope, Strong circles away and we're back to standing.
Strong thinks about countering with a body kick.
Strong checks a leg kick.
Strong tries to counter by clinching up but Jones breaks away and moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Strong feints and as Jones raises his hands in defense, Strong changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Strong working some strikes from top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Strong wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.
Strong slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Strong from controlling successfully.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strong slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Jones closes the distance and pushes Strong back into the cage.

Strong pulls guard successfully.
Bernie Strong overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Jones controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Jones trying to control but Strong is working from the bottom.
Jones controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Strong working for a triangle but Jones defends it easily.
Jones is stalling in the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bernie Strong dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Jones moves into the clinch.
Jones has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Strong is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Jones works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Strong wants to get back to his feet but Jones passes into half guard.
Strong is trying to stand.
Jones controlling the pace.
Jones takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones blocks the strikes from Strong.
Strong is trying to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strong has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Jones is working away from the top position though.

Jones decides to stand up.

Jones closes the distance and pushes Strong back into the cage.
Strong stops a takedown attempt from Jones.
Strong tries to stall but Jones uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Jones turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Jones manages to end up in side control.
Jones tries to advance to mount but can't.
Strong is looking to reverse the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones takes a little break here. Strong wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Strong is trying to control Jones's posture but Jones avoids it.
Jones tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
You can see the frustration on Strong's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Jones tries to move to mount but Strong blocks the move with his legs.

Jones tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strong is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Jones's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Strong is not content to let Jones control the position.
Strong is looking for a sweep. Jones is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Jones controlling the action here.
Strong tries to get to full guard but Jones has control of the leg.

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.
Nice strikes from Jones there.

Strong has one foot on Jones's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Jones moves into the clinch successfully.

Jones has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Strong uses from the top position.

Strong drops back looking for a leg! Jones is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Jones manages to kick Strong off! Strong jumps back into Jones's guard.
Strong trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bobby Jones has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bernie Strong is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Strong trying to stand up but can't free himself from Jones's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bobby Jones comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Strong 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bernie Strong!