PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Liam James (ranked 608 p4p, 87 weight class) and Deviante Russell (ranked 925 p4p, 132 weight class). James kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Come To Daddy by Aphex Twin. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Deviante Russell was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

James
vs
Russell

190 cm
26
215 lbs
14 - 9 - 0

188 cm
27
206 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Liam James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Deviante Russell!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Steven Brown and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Russell scores with a shot to the body.

Russell closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
James tries a knee to the head but Russell blocks it.

James breaks from the clinch.
Russell scores with a body shot.

Russell moves into range and clinches up with James.
James wants to break the clinch but can't.
James tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Russell avoids it.

James breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Russell uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from James.
Russell on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Russell moves into range and clinches up with James.

James escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
James misses with a hook. Russell ducked under it nicely.
Russell tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but James paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Russell just misses with a punch to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Russell missing with a left hand there. James was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A jab from Russell misses.
James keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
James looks to land a left hand but Russell moved out of range nicely.
James misses with a hook. Russell ducked under it nicely.
Russell fakes high and swings low for a body shot but James manages to avoid it.
A little feinted left hand from James on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Russell ducks down and throws a hook to the body but James moves away.
Russell scores with a body shot.
James thows a left - swing and a miss!
James keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Russell.
Russell is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down James rather than just go for the knockout.
James defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Russell.
Russell slips a straight right by James.
Russell let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
James steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Russell.
Good shot there by Russell.
Liam James seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James misses with a straight right.
Russell cracks a nice hook into James's ribs.
A punch combination from James misses.

Russell has James up against the cage in a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
James has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James is trying to push Russell away but Russell has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
James is trying to break free.
A right hand to the body from Russell.
Russell can't find room to land a body shot as James controls the action.
I was talking to James's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
James prevents a body shot from Russell.
James blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Russell pushes James back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
James blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
James misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Russell.
Russell misses with some punches.
James blocking some punches.
Still in the clinch, Russell scores with a nice short uppercut.
James wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Russell has him pressed against the cage.
James wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
James wants to break the clinch but can't.
A shot in the inside from Russell.
Russell lands with a left to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James can't break the clinch.
James blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Russell lands on the inside with an uppercut.
James wants to get back to striking at distance but Russell won't allow it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by James.
Russell throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Russell can't find room to land a body shot as James controls the action.
Russell makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Russell tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Russell misses with a hook to the ribs.

James escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Russell throws a body punch but James moves out of range.
Liam James is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
James throws an overhand right that lands on Russell's shoulder, as Russell tries to avoid the shot.
Russell now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Russell pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Russell connects with a body shot.
Russell misses with a hook.
Russell shoots in for a double leg but James sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from James.
James misses with a hook.
James cracks Russell with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Russell tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. James manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Russell misses with a wild body shot.
No luck for Russell with that takedown attempt.
Liam James has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Deviante Russell.
Russell on the wrong end of a nice jab.
James stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and James wants it to stay on the feet.
The fighters circling - Russell throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
It looked like James wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Russell fails with an attempt to clinch.
Russell has his takedown stuffed
and James counters with a nice uppercut.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Russell, as that shot connected.
James throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Russell.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Deviante Russell dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Russell slips under a jab.
James scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Russell just misses with a punch to the body.
James scores with a decent looking hook.
James throws a hook but Russell avoids it easily.
Russell moves out of range of the strikes.
James scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Russell doesn't seem bothered though.
Russell darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Russell drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

James bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Russell misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
James swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
James loads up on a big right hand but Russell slips the punch.
Russell looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Russell lands a right hook to the body.
A big right from James misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James lands a jab to the nose.
James will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Russell fails in his attempt to clinch.
Russell showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from James.
James uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Russell darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
James throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
James connects with a good right hand that stumbles Russell. Russell circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
James throws an off balance right hand
and Russell counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
James scores with the left hand. Russell knows he should have avoided that one.

It looks like Deviante Russell has been cut.
Russell tries to clinch but James moves out of range.
Russell lands with a shot to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
The fighters circling - James throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James leaves Russell with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
James throws a shot from downtown. Russell moves away and avoids it.
James misses with an uppercut. Russell saw that one coming.
Russell throws a body shot but no joy.
Russell lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Russell moves away from the strike by James.
Russell throws a shot to the body.
James misses with a hook
and Russell cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Russell walks into a left hand.
Russell misses with a hook.
Russell darts in trying to clinch
enabling James to counter with a crisp jab.
James lands with a good body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as James lands an impressive looking overhand right. Russell doesn't seem phased though.
Russell moves out of range as James strikes.
Russell changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Russell swings for the body but James moves out of range.
James moves away from the strike by Russell.
James was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A big right from Russell misses.
The fighters circling - James throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
James is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Russell moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
James throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Russell counters by moving into the clinch.
James wants to break free but Russell has control.
Russell tried to land a shot to the body but connects with James's elbow.
Still in the clinch, Russell scores with a nice short uppercut.

James breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
James takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Russell throws a shot to the body.
Liam James is winning the standup battle so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Russell connects with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell misses with an uppercut. James saw that one coming.
Russell scores with a crisp jab that stopped James in his tracks.
James keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Russell lands a right hook to the body.
James keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Russell.
Russell swings and misses with a shot to the body
and James counters with a straight right hand.
James lands with a shot to the body.
James throws an overhand right that lands on Russell's shoulder, as Russell tries to avoid the shot.
James throws an overhand right that lands on Russell's shoulder, as Russell tries to avoid the shot.
Russell swings for the body but James moves out of range.
Russell uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from James.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
James throws an off balance right hand
and Russell counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Russell misses with a straight left.
Russell throws out a powerful jab.
Russell displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as James throws out the jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Liam James will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Deviante Russell's cut.
That's time! James's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

James throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Russell stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Russell misses the jab.
James is looking to counter punch.
Russell uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from James.
James misses with a hook
and Russell counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Russell is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
James uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Russell.
A looping hook to the body misses from James. Russell does a little dance to reset his feet.
James throws a lazy uppercut
and Russell counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
James swings widly with a right hand
and Russell counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
James throws an off balance right hand
and Russell counters with a stiff right hand.
James throws the left hand but Russell avoids the punch easily.
Russell tries to counter by closing the distance.
Russell has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Russell there as he acknowledges the shot.
James misses with an uppercut
enabling Russell to counter with a crisp jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
James misses with a looping right.
A big right from Russell misses.
Russell lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James moves out of range as Russell strikes.
Russell avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Russell thows a left - swing and a miss!
James moves out of range as Russell strikes.
A shot to the liver by Russell. Beautiful body shot.
Russell shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts James as he jumps to the side.
James misses with a right hand
and Russell counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
James misses with a lunging right hand
and Russell counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Russell fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Russell throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
James misses with a combination
and Russell makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Russell throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting James counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Russell.
Russell punishes James's body with a nice straight punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Russell's corner calls for a 1-2. Russell obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Russell ducks under a wild hook from James.
Russell throws a lazy uppercut
and James counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
James lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
James dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
James looks to land a left hand but Russell moved out of range nicely.
Russell tries to counter by closing the distance.
Russell avoids a punch combination nicely.
James dodges the punch combination from Russell.
Russell swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
James misses with a hook.
Russell lands a jab-cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell defending well as James loads up on a big left hand.
Russell staying out of range there.
James darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
James fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Russell throws an off balance right hand
and James counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Russell ducks down and throws a hook to the body but James moves away.
Russell ducks under a wild hook from James.
James drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Russell works James's body with a nice hook.
Russell throws a body shot but no joy.
James missing with a left hand there. Russell was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
James lands a jab to Russell's midsection.

Russell clinches up with James and pushes him back against the cage.
James wants to break the clinch but can't.
Russell has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell scores with a nice hook to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Russell misses with a short punch on the inside.

James escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
James throws a shot from downtown. Russell moves away and avoids it.
James blocks a jab.
James fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
James jabbing away but nothing is landing.
James ducks under a wild hook from Russell.
James thows a left - swing and a miss!
James lands a two punch combo.
A jab from James misses.
Russell blocks a jab.
James misses with an uppercut.
Russell throws a shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A telegraphed right hand from Russell misses the target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Deviante Russell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Russell 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Deviante Russell!
A relieved looking Deviante Russell thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
In defeat, Liam James stepped up to the mic, saying 'No one likes seeing their opponent's hand raised, but that just means that they were the better man today. My team at 3Band MMA and I will break down this match and make the proper changes for my next camp.'.