PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zeke Titus (ranked 1556 p4p, 2291 weight class) and Iso Paa (ranked 214 p4p, 296 weight class). Zeke Titus has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Titus
vs
Paa

190 cm
20
210
4 - 0 - 0

187 cm
19
217
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Zeke Titus!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Iso Paa!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Steven Brown and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Titus.
Zeke Titus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paa cracks Titus with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

It looks like Zeke Titus has been cut.
Paa misses the shot to the body.
Some wild striking there from Paa.
Titus bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Paa looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Paa wants to clinch up but Titus keeps it at a distance.

Titus closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Paa actively working from the bottom here.
Paa is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Paa looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Paa looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Titus is nestled in close to Paa, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Paa moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Paa is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Titus distracts Paa with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Paa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Titus tries to free his leg and advance position but Paa is retaining full guard.
Titus content to stall in guard here.

Titus avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Titus trying to control the position from guard on top but Paa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Paa working for submissions but it's allowed Titus to get to half guard.
Titus is nestled in close to Paa, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Paa trying to control here.
Titus controlling the pace.

Paa looking for submissions off his back.
Titus working Paa over with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paa has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Titus escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Titus!
Paa struggling a bit here.
Paa is looking to regain half guard here but Titus keeps moving and retains side control.
Titus looks up at the clock and then as Paa takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Titus smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Paa is not content to let Titus control the position.
Paa can't do much from the bottom here.
Titus scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paa tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Titus trying to control the action but Paa is working from the bottom.
Paa tries to buck Titus off but Titus is having none of it.
Titus lands a nice forearm strike.
Paa taking a bit of punishment here - Titus scoring with strikes.
Paa wants to control but Titus postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Paa takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Paa takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
You can see the frustration on Paa's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Paa takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zeke Titus dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Zeke Titus's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Titus shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Paa is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Titus pulls his head out easily.
Paa wants to improve his position but Titus is controlling well.

Paa looking for a kimura from the bottom but Titus passes into side control!
Zeke Titus overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
A lull in the action here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Titus creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Paa's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Paa regains half guard.
Titus is trying to control the action in half guard but Paa is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Titus is pressing down on Paa's thigh, looking to free his foot. Paa is holding on for now.

Paa actively working from the bottom here.
Titus winds up and cracks Paa with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Titus slows the pace down in half guard.
Titus tries to pass the half guard into mount. Paa knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Titus lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Titus wants to take a breather but Paa is having none of it.
Titus has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Titus lands a couple of good shots and Paa has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Paa is taking damage to the body and head.
Paa just trying to survive but Titus is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Paa tries to break free.
Paa prevents Titus from getting a body triangle.
Titus connects with a big shot to the side of Paa's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Titus is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
I really don't envy Paa right now.
Titus not allowing Paa to control his hands.
Paa staying busy and making it hard for Titus to control.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Titus controlling the positon.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Titus connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Paa to escape the position.
Titus is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Paa can do to turn this around?
Titus controlling well, preventing Paa from escaping the position.
Titus is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Titus keeps control of the position as Paa tries to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Titus cracks Paa with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Paa from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
Will Titus go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Paa breaks Titus's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Paa is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Titus is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Titus has escaped and now he's on top!

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Paa escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Titus gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Paa is looking for a triangle but Titus pushes his legs off easily.
Paa keeping moving, preventing Titus from controlling successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zeke Titus dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Zeke Titus's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Nice body punch from Paa.
Paa walks into a left hand.

Titus drives through and clinches with Paa against the cage.
Titus misses with a short punch on the inside.
Titus blocking some punches.
Titus is leaning against Paa and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Titus misses with a short punch on the inside.
Titus blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Paa blocking some punches.
Titus works on Paa's body with a couple of short punches.
Paa misses with some punches.
Titus lands a nice uppercut.
Titus lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Paa fails to land.
Titus softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Paa.
Paa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Titus softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Titus scores with a shoulder strike.
Paa's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Titus.
Titus lands a hook that snaps the head of Paa backwards.
Paa letting Titus take a breather here.
Titus wants a takedown but no success here.
Titus lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Paa misses with a short punch on the inside.
Titus lands with a short shot to the head.
Titus lands with a left to the head.
Titus throws a punch but it's blocked by Paa.
Paa swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Paa working aggressively here.
Titus misses with a hook from the clinch.
Titus lands a left hand that snaps the head of Paa backwards.
Paa swings wildly with an uppercut but Titus uses good head movement to avoid it.
Titus working aggressively here.
Titus doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Paa.
Titus lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Titus lands with a left to the head.
Titus throws a punch but it's blocked by Paa.
Titus softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Titus blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Paa stalling.
A short right from Titus.
A right hand to the body from Titus.

Titus has clasped his hands together around Paa's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Titus grinds an elbow into Paa's temple.
Paa is looking for a sweep.
Titus is staying tight to Paa's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Paa taking a bit of punishment here - Titus scoring with strikes.
You can see the frustration on Paa's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Paa taking punishment in the form of punches.

Titus is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Paa knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Titus taking a breather here.
Paa sneaks back into half guard.

Paa looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Titus is taking a breather. Paa says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Titus wants to lay and pray for a moment but Paa keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Titus perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Titus trying to control from half guard but Paa is working away.
Paa manages to get to full guard.
Titus landing some decent shots from guard.

Paa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Titus makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zeke Titus clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Zeke Titus's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Titus darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Titus keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Paa is looking to control Titus's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Paa avoid being mounted?

Paa looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Paa is in trouble now - Titus has advanced to mount!
Paa takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Titus cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Paa is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Titus punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Titus punishing his opponent with strikes.
Titus fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Titus sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Titus has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Titus looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Titus is in the full mount, landing strikes.

Paa is rocked!
Paa is wriggling around trying to escape.
Paa is still in real trouble! Can Titus finish him?
Titus with a couple of short strikes.
Paa is trying to escape the mount.
Paa gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Titus lands strikes from half guard.
Paa manages to get to full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Paa is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Titus has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Titus scoring with punches to the head and body.

Paa is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Paa seems to have recovered his senses.
Titus is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Paa working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Titus has passed into half guard!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Titus wants to take a breather but Paa is having none of it.
Titus lands with a punch from half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Titus lands a nice short elbow.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Paa trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Titus with a couple of short strikes.
Paa is trying desperately to improve position.
Titus is landing with some decent strikes but Paa is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Paa is trying to escape the mount.
Titus is in the full mount, landing strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Titus connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Titus can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Paa is looking to escape.
Paa is bucking up trying to escape but Titus cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Titus lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Titus looking to control but Paa is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Paa is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Titus connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Titus is stalling here but it's allowed Paa to get half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zeke Titus had his way with Iso Paa in that round.
The cut man is working on Zeke Titus's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

A decent looking cross lands there for Paa.
Titus wants to clinch up but Paa keeps it at a distance.
Titus lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Titus scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Titus trying to control the position but Paa is working away.
Titus cracks Paa with a big right hand but Paa just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Paa gets back to half guard.

Paa looking for submissions off his back.
Titus takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Titus wants to take a breather but Paa is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Titus working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Still in half guard, Titus seems content to control.
Paa is trying to get back to full guard.
Titus drops an elbow to the side of Paa's head.

Paa looking for submissions off his back.

Paa looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Titus working the head and body with strikes.
Zeke Titus is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Titus stalling.
Titus seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Paa for as long as he can get away with.
Paa tries to roll over but Titus keeps him under control.
Titus wants to pass to mount but Paa is defending the position.
Titus looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Paa gets full guard.

Paa is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Titus is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paa can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Titus controls the pace.

Paa working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Titus doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Titus manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Titus controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Titus's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Titus displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Paa throws out the jab.
Paa throws a head kick but Titus moves out of range.
Titus with a jab.
Titus lands a lovely overhand right.
Iso Paa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paa wants to clinch.
Titus connects with a right hand. Paa shakes it off.

Titus fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Paa, pushing him back against the cage.
Paa working aggressively here.
Paa tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Paa misses with some punches.
Paa misses with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Paa throws a punch but it's blocked by Titus.
Zeke Titus has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Paa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Iso Paa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A head punch on the inside from Paa fails to land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zeke Titus showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Titus, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 50:45
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 50:45
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zeke Titus!
Zeke Titus retains his light heavyweight title!
In his post fight interview, Zeke Titus started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.