PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Julian Wallace (ranked 24617 p4p, 23922 weight class) and Elijah James (ranked 261 p4p, 270 weight class). Wallace comes to the cage accompanied by Smile - Jimmy Durante. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Wallace
vs
James

173 cm
25
145
1 - 3 - 0

180 cm
19
140
0 - 16 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Julian Wallace!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Elijah James!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Yves DeLean and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Wallace throws a right and a left that both miss.
James tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Wallace misses with an uppercut. James saw that one coming.
Wallace throws a series of punches but James avoids them all with ease.
Wallace misses with a head kick.
Julian Wallace seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wallace lands a two punch combo.
Wallace throws the left hand but James avoids the punch easily.
James steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Wallace.
James gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

James shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Wallace's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

James gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Wallace throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Wallace throws a hook but James avoids it easily.
Wallace throws a head kick that misses.
Wallace misses with the combination.
James fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wallace tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
James tries for a takedown but Wallace sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Wallace lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but James circles away quickly and effectively.
Wallace fails to land with a series of punches.
James drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Wallace defends it well.
James avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
James throws a head kick that half lands.
Wallace scoring well with a low kick there.
Wallace misses with a straight right.
James is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Wallace throws out a loose jab but James uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wallace will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
James steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Wallace.
James avoids the head kick by Wallace.
Wallace throws a body punch but James moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wallace throws a big shot that misses.
James with the counter takedown but Wallace avoids it easily.
Julian Wallace is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wallace misses with a combination
and James counters with a head kick.
Wallace's jab looks to have found its range, popping James under the eye.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wallace scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Wallace connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed James momentarily.
Wallace's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Wallace duly obliges.
Wallace throws out a loose jab but James uses good head movement to avoid it.
A jab lands there for Wallace.
James fails with an attempt to clinch.
Wallace misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Wallace throws a series of punches but James avoids them all with ease.
James keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Wallace.
James uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Wallace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wallace scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Wallace throws a head kick but James moves out of range.
James feints the counter takedown.
Wallace looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Wallace is breathing heavily.
Wallace throws an off balance right hand
and James counters with a big head kick but Wallace shrugs it off.
James moves out of range of the strikes.
James unleashes a big counter combination but Wallace bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Wallace throws a series of punches but James moves out of range.
James takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
James avoids the head kick by Wallace.
James tries to counter by closing the distance.
Wallace pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Wallace misses with a head kick.
Wallace lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but James circles away quickly and effectively.
Wallace misses with a series of wild punches.
Wallace misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
James staying out of range there.
Wallace misses with a head kick.
Wallace tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and James is able to avoid easily.
A head kick from Wallace lands but James takes it in his stride.
Wallace throws a jab when James was well out of range.
Wallace leaves James with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Julian Wallace has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Elijah James.
James will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Wallace lands a nice shot that snaps James's head back.
James takes a kick to the side of the head.
Wallace misses with a hook. James ducked under it nicely.
Wallace is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
James tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Wallace paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wallace clobbers James with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Wallace connects with a body shot that sends James's belly button to the back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julian Wallace dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Wallace fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Wallace misses with a hook. James ducked under it nicely.
James is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Wallace lands a jab to the head.
Wallace connects with an inside leg kick.
A head kick misses from Wallace.
Wallace throws a nice looking combination but James bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Horrible takedown attempt by James or perhaps it was just good defense by Wallace, which made it look bad.
Wallace throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
James steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Wallace.
Wallace connects with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wallace throws a head kick that misses.
Wallace throws a body shot but no joy.
Wallace thows a left - swing and a miss!
A head kick misses from Wallace.
James is looking to clinch but Wallace is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wallace swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
James fails with the takedown.
Wallace scores with a hook.
Wallace swinging wildly here.
James drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Wallace defends it well.
Wallace throws a combination but it was largely blocked by James.
James takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Wallace throws a right hand that James ducks under and follows up with a left that James also avoids with ease.
Wallace throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
James with the counter takedown but Wallace avoids it easily.
Wallace throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
James drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Wallace defends it well.
Wallace keeps the fight on the outside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Wallace misses.
James moves in looking to clinch but Wallace pushes him off.
James blocks a head kick by Wallace.
James avoids a punch combination nicely.
James fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Julian Wallace has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Elijah James.
A combination from Wallace does no damage.
Wallace throws a head kick that misses.
Wallace lands a jab to James's midsection.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wallace keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Wallace throws an overhand right that lands on James's shoulder, as James tries to avoid the shot.
Wallace is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by James.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
James fails with a takedown attempt.
Wallace throws a series of punches but James avoids them all with ease.
James ducks under a wild hook from Wallace.
James ducks under a wild hook from Wallace.
James uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Wallace.
James feints the counter takedown.
James steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Wallace.
James darts in looking for a takedown but Wallace gets double underhooks and turns James into the cage.
A combination from Wallace does no damage.
Wallace throws a big shot that misses.
James tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wallace connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between James's hands.
Wallace scores with a punch to the head.
Wallace scores with a head kick.
Wallace throws a series of strikes that have James backpedaling.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
James tries to clinch up.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nice cross by Wallace.
Wallace swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Wallace avoids the head kick by James.
James avoids the head kick by Wallace.
Wallace throws a combination but it was largely blocked by James.
James darts in looking for a takedown but Wallace gets double underhooks and turns James into the cage.
Wallace throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by James.

James clinches with his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julian Wallace dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Wallace misses with a low kick.
Wallace throws a leg kick that misses.
James looks for a takedown but Wallace sprawls well.
Wallace misses with a looping left.
Wallace lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Wallace is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that James can do to turn this around?
Wallace misses with a straight right.
Wallace misses with a looping right.
Wallace misses with a head kick.
James is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Julian Wallace is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wallace misses with a few strikes there.
James moves out of range of the strikes.
Nice defenses there by James.
Wallace throws a leg kick which misses James's front leg but catches the back leg as James tries to avoid it.
Wallace misses with an uppercut.
James wants to counter with a clinch but Wallace pushes him away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Wallace.
James wants to counter with a clinch but Wallace pushes him away.
Wallace misses with a looping right.
Wallace lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but James circles away quickly and effectively.
James wants to counter with a clinch but Wallace pushes him away.
Julian Wallace is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wallace scores with a one two! James had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Wallace circles away from the clinch attempt.
Wallace circles away from the clinch attempt.
James avoids the head kick by Wallace.
James doesn't manage to clinch there - Wallace circles away.
Wallace circles away from the clinch attempt.
Wallace throws a head kick but James moves out of range.
Wallace lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Wallace throws an overhand right that lands on James's shoulder, as James tries to avoid the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James tries to clinch up.
Wallace avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A head kick misses from Wallace.
Wallace shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
James tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Wallace paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Wallace wants to slow James down by chopping away at his legs.
And James tries to counter it with a takedown but Wallace pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Wallace misses with a left hand
and James counters with an outside leg kick.
James has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
James wants to clinch.
Wallace tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wallace throws a big shot that misses.
James looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Wallace, as that shot connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wallace tries to score with a low kick but James moves his leg out of the way.
James blocks a low kick nicely.
James tries to counter with a clinch but Wallace shakes him off and moves away.
Wallace misses with a series of wild punches.
James wants to counter the offense by Wallace and move into the clinch position.
Wallace misses with a head kick.
James tries to counter with a clinch but Wallace shakes him off and moves away.
Wallace throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by James.
Wallace swats away the attempt to clinch by James.
Wallace is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
James slips a straight right by Wallace.
James slips under a jab from Wallace.
Wallace throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting James counter with a right hand.
James shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Wallace as he jumps to the side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Wallace manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Wallace tries to keep at a distance but James has taken the fight into the clinch.
Wallace displaying some good clinch control by pressing James up against the cage.
Wallace is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A nice left hand lands by Wallace.
James's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
James tries to pull guard but Wallace won't allow it.
Julian Wallace has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Elijah James.
James tries to pull guard but Wallace holds him up against the cage and eventually James drops back down to his feet.
James tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Julian Wallace showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Wallace, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Douchet scores the fight 30:26
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:26
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Julian Wallace!
Julian Wallace took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Chester for their support in the buildup to the fight.