PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pascala Oaza (ranked 3693 p4p, 382 weight class) and Jacob Spirit (ranked 23803 p4p, 522 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Oaza
vs
Spirit

190 cm
25
190 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

169 cm
26
190 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite 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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pascala Oaza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jacob Spirit!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Alan Glass and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Oaza doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Spirit counters with a two punch combo.
Oaza has a takedown stuffed.
Oaza shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Spirit defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pascala Oaza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Spirit looks for a takedown but Oaza sprawls well.
Spirit displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Oaza.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spirit shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Oaza as he avoids it easily.
Spirit's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Oaza connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Spirit scrambles back to his feet.
Spirit has a takedown stuffed.
A counter left hand to the body from Oaza misses its target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oaza blocks a head kick by Spirit.
Spirit misses with a low kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Spirit or perhaps it was just good defense by Oaza, which made it look bad.
Spirit shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Oaza pinned against the cage. Oaza gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Oaza attempts a counter takedown but Spirit avoids it well and moves away.
Spirit tries a head kick but it misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Spirit.
Oaza shoots in for a takedown but Spirit shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Spirit shoots in for a takedown but Oaza shows good takedown defense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spirit tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Oaza manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Spirit defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Oaza.
Spirit has his takedown stuffed
and Oaza counters with a left and a right that stings Spirit.
Spirit looks winded!
Oaza looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Spirit is fending him off so far but Oaza persists. Nope, Spirit circles away and we're back to standing.
Spirit steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Oaza.
Oaza fails with the takedown
and Spirit counters with a series of strikes. Oaza will be more careful next time no doubt.
Spirit tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Spirit tries for a takedown but Oaza sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nice takedown defense from Spirit. No joy for Oaza on that attempt.
Oaza tries for a takedown but Spirit sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Oaza forces Spirit back against the cage and clinches.

Spirit breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spirit stuffs the takedown attempt from Oaza. Oaza gets slowly back to his feet.
Oaza pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Oaza displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Spirit.
Nice takedown defense from Spirit. No joy for Oaza on that attempt.
Spirit ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Oaza moves away.
Spirit tries to clinch but Oaza moves out of range.
Oaza is trying hard to land a takedown here. Spirit sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Oaza shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Spirit sprawls well. Spirit wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Oaza gets slowly back to his feet.
Spirit is looking for the big counter here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Spirit as Oaza shoots in.
Spirit tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Spirit gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Spirit slowing the pace effectively.
Spirit is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Oaza is defending well.

Oaza breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Spirit throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Spirit fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
It looked like Oaza wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Oaza shoots in for a takedown but Spirit shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Oaza keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacob Spirit dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Oaza clinches up with Spirit and pushes him back against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Spirit drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Oaza gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Oaza jumps guard.

Oaza is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spirit fails to pull guard.
Oaza jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Spirit walks away with a smile on his face. Oaza gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Jacob Spirit seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Spirit displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Oaza.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oaza fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pascala Oaza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Spirit throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Oaza tries to clinch but Spirit moves out of range.
Spirit lands a slapping body shot.
Oaza fails to land the takedown.
Spirit is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Spirit shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Oaza sprawls well. Oaza wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Spirit gets slowly back to his feet.
Oaza fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Oaza changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Spirit tries to avoid it but Oaza manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Spirit to the ground. Spirit escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Spirit is looking to clinch but Oaza is avoiding it.
Oaza tries to counter by clinching up but Spirit breaks away and moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Oaza tries to sprawl but Spirit drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Spirit seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
My spies in GYM inform me that Spirit has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Oaza is looking to improve his position.
Spirit is just content to waste time from the top position. Oaza takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Oaza trying to strike off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Spirit tries to stand but Oaza is controlling from the bottom.
Spirit passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Spirit tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Spirit is looking to take a break and control but Oaza is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Oaza wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Spirit wants to control but Oaza is keeping him busy.

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.
Oaza keeping his opponent close.
Spirit working away.
Spirit in side control, throwing shots but Oaza defends.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Spirit has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Spirit shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Oaza counters by moving into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jacob Spirit will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Spirit tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Oaza counters with a stiff right hand.
Oaza tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Spirit paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Oaza fails with an attempt to clinch.
Spirit displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Oaza.
Spirit shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Oaza as he avoids it easily.

Oaza moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Oaza breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Oaza shoots in and drives through. Spirit sprawls well.
Oaza tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Spirit swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pascala Oaza. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oaza throws a head kick but Spirit moves out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Spirit stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Spirit wants it to stay on the feet.
Spirit tries to clinch up but Oaza circles away and keeps his distance.
Spirit misses with a takedown attempt - Oaza sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Oaza looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Oaza looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Spirit is fending him off so far but Oaza persists. Nope, Spirit circles away and we're back to standing.

Spirit clinches up against the cage.

Spirit ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Spirit no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Spirit controls Oaza momentarily but Oaza frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spirit trying to control the position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Oaza sitting in guard here, content to control.
Spirit bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Oaza's guard.

Spirit trying to control the position from guard on top but Oaza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Spirit trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spirit throwing strikes but missing.
Oaza is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Oaza looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Oaza trying to control the action but Spirit is working from the bottom.
Oaza is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

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.
Spirit is looking to control Oaza's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Spirit avoid being mounted?
Spirit is looking for a sweep. Oaza is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Jacob Spirit has got the better of the ground game so far.
Spirit wants to get back to his feet.
Spirit is looking for a sweep. Oaza is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Oaza passes to side control.
Spirit is trying to control Oaza's posture but Oaza avoids it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Spirit tries to buck Oaza off but Oaza is having none of it.

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 Pascala Oaza.
I think Spirit has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Jacob Spirit!
A determined Jacob Spirit didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!