PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Luke Skywalker (ranked 869 p4p, 2410 weight class) and Jihadi Joseph (ranked 97 p4p, 251 weight class). Skywalker comes into the arena with Skywalker Theme blaring out of the sound system. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Skywalker
vs
Joseph

168 cm
22
158
7 - 5 - 1

175 cm
22
145
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Luke Skywalker!
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, Jihadi Joseph!
The judges for this bout are Darius Henderson, Ben Watson and Topper Green.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Skywalker moves into the clinch.
Joseph is trying to push Skywalker away but Skywalker has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Joseph gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Skywalker.
Joseph fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We've been hearing reports that Skywalker has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Joseph gets through Skywalker's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Skywalker has a couple of punches blocked by Joseph.
Joseph tries to break the clinch but Skywalker is controlling the position.
Joseph throws a punch but it's blocked by Skywalker.

Joseph's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Joseph, as that shot connected.
Joseph misses with a looping left.
Joseph swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Skywalker wants to clinch up but Joseph keeps it at a distance.
Joseph tries a quick counter leg kick but Skywalker is wise to it.
Joseph throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Joseph throws a solid leg kick but Skywalker takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Joseph.
Joseph scores with a nice head shot.
Joseph throws a low kick but Skywalker moves out of range easily.
Skywalker wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Skywalker fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skywalker takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Decent striking displayed by Joseph there.
Joseph sizes up Skywalker with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Joseph keeps the fight on the outside.
Sloppy strikes from Joseph. Those never looked like landing.
Skywalker tests Joseph's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nice shot by Joseph.

Skywalker rushes Joseph and presses him up against the cage.
Skywalker changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Joseph fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Skywalker instigates a clinch.

Joseph escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Skywalker swings for the body but Joseph moves out of range.
Skywalker looks to throw the jab but Joseph is out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Skywalker moves into the clinch.
Skywalker gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Joseph.

Skywalker is trying to trip Joseph. He has hold of a leg but Joseph is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Skywalker persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Skywalker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Skywalker preventing the sweep.
Skywalker throws a big right hand that misses.
Skywalker keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Joseph's head.
Skywalker missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Joseph is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Skywalker scoring with punches to the head and body.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Joseph is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Skywalker is looking to work some ground and pound but Joseph has wrist control.
Joseph keeping moving, preventing Skywalker from controlling successfully.
Joseph has momentary wrist control but Skywalker slips an elbow through the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skywalker in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Skywalker with a flurry of punches that miss.
Skywalker forces his way into half guard.
Joseph is not content to let Skywalker control the position.
Skywalker is pressing down on Joseph's thigh, looking to free his foot. Joseph is holding on for now.
Joseph tries to get to full guard but Skywalker has control of the leg.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Joseph blocking the ground and pound attempt from Skywalker.
Joseph controlling the position well.

Skywalker wants to work for an arm triangle but Joseph is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skywalker looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Skywalker trying to control the action but Joseph is working from the bottom.
Skywalker wants to pass to mount but Joseph is defending the position.
Skywalker thows a huge punch but Joseph dodges it nicely.
Skywalker missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Joseph keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Skywalker thows a huge punch but Joseph dodges it nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Luke Skywalker will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A nice inside leg kick there by Joseph. That's going to slow Skywalker down.
Joseph tries to land a front kick but Skywalker steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Skywalker tries to clinch there but Joseph circles away.
Joseph lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Joseph throws a body punch but Skywalker moves out of range.
Skywalker tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Joseph manages to circle out of the way.
A low kick lands for Joseph.
Joseph throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Jihadi Joseph seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Joseph fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Skywalker manages to avoid it.
Joseph misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Skywalker.
Skywalker doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Jihadi Joseph seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Skywalker misses with a straight left.
Joseph throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Skywalker rushes Joseph and presses him up against the cage.
Joseph tries to throw a body punch but Skywalker avoids it by throwing Joseph back against the cage.
Joseph misses with a punch to the body.
Joseph is trying to break the clinch but Skywalker is controlling him.
Joseph lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Joseph looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skywalker can't find room to land a body shot as Joseph controls the action.
Joseph working aggressively here.
Skywalker tries to work over Joseph's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Skywalker is working for takedown but Joseph is calmly controlling the position for now.
Skywalker lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Joseph backwards.
Joseph wants to break free but Skywalker has control.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Skywalker.
Joseph doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Skywalker is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Joseph lands with a light punch inside.
Joseph doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Joseph cracks Skywalker with a nice body shot.

Joseph manages to break the clinch.
Joseph is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Joseph ducks under a wild hook from Skywalker.
Joseph has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Skywalker gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Joseph.
Joseph ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Skywalker moves away.
A counter left hand to the body from Skywalker misses its target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joseph jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Skywalker throws the left hand but Joseph avoids the punch easily.
Skywalker scores with a one two! Joseph had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Joseph throws a looping overhand right but Skywalker ducks down to avoid it.
Joseph throws a combination that misses

and Skywalker counters by moving into the clinch.
Joseph works on Skywalker's body with a couple of short punches.
Joseph has had enough of the clinch but Skywalker keeps him there for the moment.
Skywalker lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Joseph backwards.
A short right from Joseph.
Jihadi Joseph has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Skywalker misses with a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Skywalker.
Luke Skywalker has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A short body shot lands from Joseph as the two fighters clinch.
Skywalker goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Skywalker drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Joseph gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luke Skywalker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Joseph tries a body shot but Skywalker blocks it.
Skywalker blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skywalker tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Joseph's elbow.
Joseph lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Skywalker throws an elbow but it misses.
Joseph lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Skywalker backwards.
Skywalker struggles to land a body shot inside as Joseph controls his hands.

Joseph breaks from the clinch.
Joseph tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Skywalker is able to avoid easily.
Joseph connects with a good right hand that stumbles Skywalker. Skywalker circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Joseph bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Skywalker's head backwards.
Skywalker finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A jab lands there for Joseph.
Skywalker tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Joseph manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Good shot there by Joseph.
Skywalker takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Joseph fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Skywalker.
Skywalker swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Joseph takes a swing at Skywalker's ribcage but misses.
Skywalker appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skywalker paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Joseph slips a straight right by Skywalker.
Joseph looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Joseph lands a really nice looking cross but Skywalker seems unphased.
Joseph scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Joseph lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Skywalker has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Skywalker and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Skywalker has managed to clinch.
Skywalker tries for a takedown. No joy.
Joseph blocks a body shot from Skywalker.

Joseph breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Joseph loads up on a big right hand but Skywalker slips the punch.
Joseph bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Joseph misses with a low kick as Skywalker jumps back.
Joseph takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Joseph ducks under a wild hook from Skywalker.
Joseph flicks out a counter leg kick but Skywalker steps away.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Joseph, as that shot connected.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jihadi Joseph showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Joseph ducks under a wild hook from Skywalker.
Skywalker has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Joseph.
Joseph swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Skywalker displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Joseph throws out the jab.
Skywalker lands a body shot.
Joseph tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Joseph throws a front kick aimed at Skywalker's knee but Skywalker avoids it well.
Joseph throws a big shot that misses.
Joseph fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Joseph throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Skywalker misses with a straight right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Skywalker throws a leg kick but Joseph sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Joseph just misses with a punch to the body.
Skywalker tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Joseph paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Joseph avoids the body shot from Skywalker.
Joseph uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Skywalker.
A head kick misses from Joseph.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joseph pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A decent looking cross lands there for Skywalker.
Skywalker misses with a few strikes there.
Joseph scores with a jab. Skywalker acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Skywalker misses with a wild body shot.
Skywalker looks to score with a jab to the body but Joseph is just out of range.
Good shot there by Joseph.
Joseph takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Nice defenses there by Skywalker.
Jab from Joseph.
Skywalker takes one to the chin there.
Joseph misses with a wild body shot.
Skywalker looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Skywalker tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A good leg kick by Joseph.
Skywalker blocks a low kick nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Skywalker slips a jab and a cross from Joseph.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skywalker moves out of range of the leg kick from Joseph.
Joseph throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Joseph is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Skywalker.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Joseph!
Skywalker just misses with a punch to the body.
Joseph misses with a hook. Skywalker ducked under it nicely.
Joseph throws a big shot that misses.
Joseph swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Joseph bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Skywalker defending well as Joseph loads up on a big left hand.
Skywalker swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Joseph uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Skywalker uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Joseph.
An attempted straight right counter from Skywalker misses the target.
Joseph pivots, looking for a leg kick but Skywalker is out of range and Joseph settles back down.
Skywalker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

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

Skywalker has Joseph up against the cage in a clinch.

Joseph escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Skywalker wants to clinch up but Joseph keeps it at a distance.

Skywalker forces Joseph back against the cage and clinches.
Joseph has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Joseph tries to circle away but Skywalker has him pinned against the cage.
Skywalker has Joseph pressed against the cage, preventing Joseph from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A short body shot lands from Joseph as the two fighters clinch.
Joseph has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Skywalker misses with a punch to the body.
Joseph has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Skywalker seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Joseph can turn it around.
Skywalker scores with a nice hook to the head.
Joseph gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Skywalker.
Joseph lands a right hand that snaps the head of Skywalker backwards.
Skywalker scores with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Joseph breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Skywalker blocks a jab.
Skywalker throws a body shot but no joy.
A little jabbing left from Joseph on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Skywalker checks a leg kick.
Joseph will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Joseph dodges the punch combination from Skywalker.
Joseph connects with a solid leg kick.
Joseph lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Joseph misses with a straight left.
Joseph takes a swing at Skywalker's ribcage but misses.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Skywalker, as that shot connected.
A shot to the liver by Joseph. Beautiful body shot.
Skywalker takes one on the button.
Skywalker slips under a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jihadi Joseph comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Joseph 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 Darius Henderson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Topper Green scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jihadi Joseph!
Jihadi Joseph thanked the fans post fight for their support.
In defeat, Luke Skywalker stepped up to the mic, saying 'I am saddened by this defeat, but I learned a lot from the wise Master Yoda. The greatest teacher, failure is. May the force be with you!'.