PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pascala Oaza (ranked 4974 p4p, 462 weight class) and Jacob Spirit (ranked 4252 p4p, 429 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Oaza
vs
Spirit

190 cm
25
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

169 cm
26
190 lbs
4 - 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 - 1 - 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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jacob Spirit!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Chris Downing and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Oaza darts in looking for a takedown but Spirit gets double underhooks and turns Oaza into the cage.

Oaza rushes Spirit and presses him up against the cage.
Oaza cracks Spirit with a nice body shot.
Spirit can't break the clinch.
Oaza is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Spirit tries to pull guard but Oaza holds him up against the cage and eventually Spirit drops back down to his feet.

Spirit breaks from the clinch.
Spirit fails with the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spirit dives in for a single leg takedown but Oaza sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Pascala Oaza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jacob Spirit.
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 has managed to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spirit is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Oaza breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Spirit throws a front kick aimed at Oaza's knee but Oaza avoids it well.
Oaza doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Spirit counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Spirit shoots in for a takedown but Oaza shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Spirit tries for a takedown but Oaza sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Spirit darts in looking for a takedown but Oaza gets double underhooks and turns Spirit into the cage.

Oaza gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Spirit wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Oaza manages to pull guard.
Oaza wants to sweep but no luck.
Spirit wants to control from the top but Oaza keeps moving.
Oaza tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Spirit stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Spirit shoots in looking for a takedown but Oaza manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Spirit's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A shot to the liver by Oaza. Beautiful body shot.
No luck for Oaza with that takedown attempt.
As Oaza backs off Spirit throws a huge counter combo but Oaza manages to avoid it all.
Spirit shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Oaza pinned against the cage. Oaza gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spirit takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Spirit changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Oaza wants to clinch up but Spirit keeps it at a distance.
Spirit with the counter takedown but Oaza avoids it easily.
Oaza shoots in but no luck this time.
Danga de danga de dang - Oaza scores with a four punch combination!
Oaza fails with a takedown attempt.
Spirit tries to counter by closing the distance.

Oaza fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Spirit, pushing him back against the cage.
Spirit throws a knee to the head but misses.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oaza shoots in looking for a takedown. Spirit tries to sprawl out of it but Oaza keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Spirit manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice sprawl there from Spirit as Oaza shoots in.
Spirit swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Spirit moves into the clinch successfully.

Spirit manages to break the clinch.
A low kick from Spirit is predictable there
and Oaza counters with a one-two 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!
Oaza looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Spirit steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Oaza.
Oaza moves out of range of the body kick from Spirit.
Oaza throws a leg kick that is checked

and Spirit counters by clinching up.
Spirit is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Oaza pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Oaza leaning against his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pascala Oaza dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Spirit is trying hard to land a takedown here. Oaza sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Oaza misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Oaza slaps away a takedown attempt from Spirit, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Oaza shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Spirit defends it nicely.
Oaza misses with a takedown attempt - Spirit sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pascala Oaza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spirit is looking to clinch but Oaza is avoiding it.

Spirit clinches up with Oaza and pushes him back against the cage.

Spirit's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oaza fails with the takedown.
Oaza tries to bum rush Spirit with a series of wild strikes but Spirit uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Spirit walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Oaza checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Spirit throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Spirit with a poor takedown

and Oaza moves into the clinch.
Spirit gets underhooks to prevent Oaza's takedown attempt.
Nice body punch from Oaza - that landed with a thud.
Oaza content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Oaza is trying to push Spirit away but Spirit has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Oaza keeps control of Spirit as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Oaza displaying some good clinch control by pressing Spirit up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oaza tries for a takedown. No joy.

Oaza manages to pull guard.
Oaza is trying to keep Spirit in close.
Oaza has a closed guard, preventing Spirit from standing up.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Spirit stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Oaza swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Spirit with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spirit wants to control from the top but Oaza keeps moving.
Spirit is looking to work some ground and pound but Oaza has wrist control.
Spirit is looking to work some ground and pound but Oaza has wrist control.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Oaza throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Spirit clinches up with Oaza and pushes him back against the cage.
Spirit lands a nice uppercut.
A frustrated look appears on Spirit's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Spirit tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Oaza avoids it.
Oaza is trying to pull guard but Spirit has him pressed against the cage.

Spirit drags the fight down to the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spirit is looking to sweep but instead, Oaza has passed into half guard.

Spirit actively working from the bottom here.
Oaza prevents Spirit from standing back up.

Spirit manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Oaza keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Oaza tries to pull guard but Spirit holds him up against the cage and eventually Oaza drops back down to his feet.
Spirit tries to pull guard but Oaza holds him up against the cage and eventually Spirit drops back down to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Spirit tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Oaza just stands there and leans against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacob Spirit showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Oaza uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Spirit.
Spirit fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Oaza appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Oaza shoots in for a takedown but Spirit shows good takedown defense.
Pascala Oaza is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Horrible takedown attempt by Oaza or perhaps it was just good defense by Spirit, which made it look bad.
Spirit shoots in for a takedown but Oaza shows good takedown defense.
Oaza has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pascala Oaza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Spirit shoots for a double leg takedown but Oaza sprawls well. He's pushed Spirit's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Spirit moves into the clinch.
Spirit lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Spirit is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Oaza to keep the fight standing.
Oaza stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Oaza breaks from the clinch.
Spirit tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Oaza stuffs the takedown attempt from Spirit. Spirit gets slowly back to his feet.
Spirit takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Oaza wants to clinch up but Spirit keeps it at a distance.
Oaza fails with an attempt to clinch.

Oaza gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Spirit has Oaza pressed against the cage, preventing Oaza from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Spirit gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Oaza.

Spirit pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spirit shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Oaza lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Spirit circles away quickly and effectively.
Oaza circles away from the clinch attempt.

Oaza closes the distance and clinches.
Oaza fails to pull guard.
Oaza can't get the takedown.
Oaza is trying to pull guard but Spirit turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Spirit's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Spirit drives through and clinches with Oaza against the cage.

Oaza pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oaza misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Oaza misses with a takedown attempt
and Spirit counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Spirit has closed the distance and engaged Oaza in a clinch.
Oaza tries to circle away but Spirit has him pinned against the cage.
Spirit tries to land knees in the clinch but Oaza avoids the damage to the body.
Spirit fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Spirit missing with knees to the body.

Spirit pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Oaza shoots in looking for a takedown. Spirit tries to sprawl out of it but Oaza keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Spirit manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Spirit tries for a takedown but Oaza sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
It appears Oaza was looking to counter with a kick there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oaza avoids the head kick by Spirit.
Oaza swings for the body but Spirit moves out of range.
Oaza tries to score a power double leg takedown but Spirit sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Oaza somewhat.
Spirit misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Spirit looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Oaza shoots in looking for a takedown but Spirit manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Oaza's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Spirit shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Oaza as he avoids it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jacob Spirit.
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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jacob Spirit!
Jacob Spirit took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.