PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Balbar Batomunkuev (ranked 3207 p4p, 161 weight class) and Jacob Cass (ranked 6586 p4p, 238 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Batomunkuev
vs
Cass

170 cm
18
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

160 cm
18
132 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 St Petersburg, Balbar Batomunkuev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jacob Cass!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, John Roberts and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Batomunkuev tries to sprawl but Cass drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Batomunkuev wants to control but Cass is keeping busy.

Cass is looking for a kimura but Batomunkuev is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Cass to get the leverage.

Cass seems to be looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Cass is working for a submission of some sort.

Cass is working for a kimura but Batomunkuev is defending it quite comfortably.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Batomunkuev desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batomunkuev is trying to maintain the position but Cass is very close to passing his half guard.

Cass is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Batomunkuev manages to get to full guard.
Batomunkuev is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Batomunkuev seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Cass drops back looking for a leg! Batomunkuev is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Batomunkuev manages to kick Cass off! Cass jumps back into Batomunkuev's guard.
Batomunkuev trying to control the position.

Cass drops back looking for a leg! Batomunkuev is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Batomunkuev manages to kick Cass off! Cass jumps back into Batomunkuev's guard.

Cass thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batomunkuev controlling Cass's posture.
Cass trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Batomunkuev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Batomunkuev attempts a counter takedown but Cass avoids it well and moves away.

Cass looking to score a takedown here. Batomunkuev is defending well but Cass drives through and ends up in Batomunkuev's guard.

Cass drops back looking for a leg! Batomunkuev is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Batomunkuev manages to kick Cass off! Cass jumps back into Batomunkuev's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batomunkuev has his hands clasped together around Cass's back. He's all about the action.
Batomunkuev is trying to maintain the position but Cass is very close to passing his half guard.

Cass is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Batomunkuev is just riding it out for now. Cass eventually gives up the hold.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Batomunkuev tries to roll over but Cass keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacob Cass dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Cass instigates a clinch.
Cass has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Batomunkuev tries for a takedown but Cass manages to get underhooks.
Batomunkuev has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cass after a bit of a struggle.

Batomunkuev is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Cass can't fight it off and eventually Batomunkuev manages to take the fight to the floor. Cass looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Batomunkuev wants to control from the top but Cass keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Batomunkuev wants to pass the guard but Cass is keeping the position.
Batomunkuev wants to control from the top but Cass keeps moving.
Batomunkuev not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batomunkuev wants to control from the top but Cass keeps moving.
Batomunkuev looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Batomunkuev has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Batomunkuev trying to control the position from guard on top but Cass is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Cass feints and as Batomunkuev raises his hands in defense, Cass changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Cass is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batomunkuev is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Cass is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Batomunkuev pulls Cass in close to prevent any damage.

Cass is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Cass drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Cass jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batomunkuev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Cass thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Cass thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Cass is breathing heavily.

Cass is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Batomunkuev is adopting a defensive guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Jacob Cass has got the better of the ground game so far.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

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.

Cass closes the distance and clinches.

Cass has clasped his hands together around Batomunkuev's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Batomunkuev is trying to control Cass's posture but Cass avoids it.

Cass tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Cass is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Batomunkuev knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacob Cass showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Cass scores with a takedown into Batomunkuev's guard.
Batomunkuev has Cass pulled in close to control his posture.

Cass is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Batomunkuev controlling Cass's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batomunkuev trying to control the position.

Cass thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

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

Cass closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Cass takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batomunkuev trying to hold on to Cass's head to control him but Cass postures up.
Batomunkuev wants to improve his position but Cass is controlling well.

Cass looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Cass is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Batomunkuev sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cass is thwarting Batomunkuev's attempts to control the position.

Cass is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Batomunkuev wants to control but Cass is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Cass wants to work for an arm triangle but Batomunkuev is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Batomunkuev is controlling Cass's trapped leg to prevent Cass from advancing to side control.

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.
Batomunkuev wants to control but Cass is keeping busy.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Batomunkuev is trying to get back to full guard.

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

Cass scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Batomunkuev trying to control but Cass postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Batomunkuev tries to get to full guard but Cass has control of the leg.
Balbar Batomunkuev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jacob Cass is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Cass is thwarting Batomunkuev's attempts to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jacob Cass comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Cass winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 26:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 26:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jacob Cass!