PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between James King (ranked 136 p4p, 794 weight class) and Mono Loco (ranked 21 p4p, 93 weight class). The key to victory for James King has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

King
vs
Loco

170 cm
32
156
23 - 11 - 2

168 cm
40
152
25 - 29 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Brawler
Good gas tank

Bondi MMA 🏝️
HELLBENT

Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, James King!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 29 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mono Loco!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Radbod Blank and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Loco shoots and misses
and King counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Loco tries for a takedown but King circles away easily
and King connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
King leaves Loco with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
James King has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mono Loco.
Loco with a lazy takedown attempt
and King connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
King scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
King scores with a one two! Loco had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
King fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Loco takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by King!
Loco fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but King avoids it really well and circles away.
Mono Loco seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Loco fails with the takedown.

Loco scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
King struggling a bit here.
Loco trying to control the action but King is working from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on King's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Loco tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Loco has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
King holds on to Loco's head and controls the position momentarily.
Loco trying to control the action but King is working from the bottom.
King is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Loco trying to control from half guard but King is working away.
King is trying to control but can't.
King is doing well to control the position and prevent Loco from advancing to side control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
King scores with a nice head shot.
Jab, jab by King - just one landing.
King stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and King wants it to stay on the feet.
Loco takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Loco goes for a double leg but King avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as King continues to drive forward.
King is looking to counter punch.
King with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Loco shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Loco on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Loco blocks a head kick by King.
King lands with a cross.
James King is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
King throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

King misses with a head kick.
King lands with a straight right. Loco didn't see that one coming.
We've been told by King's head coaches at Crapollas Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
The crowd cheers as King lands an impressive looking overhand right. Loco doesn't seem phased though.
Loco fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but King avoids it really well and circles away.
Loco shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts King as he jumps to the side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Loco with a lazy takedown attempt
and King counters with a straight right hand.
James King has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mono Loco.
King stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
King throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Loco dives in and grabs King's left leg, looking for a takedown. King pushes down on Loco's head and hops out.
King is looking for a counter combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Loco takes a kick to the side of the head.

King tries to sprawl but Loco drives through with a takedown into half guard.

King has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Loco is on him like a limpet, forcing King back against the cage.

King manages to break the clinch.
King lands with a good body shot.
Mono Loco is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
King misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Loco.
This has been an exciting period of action!
King connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Loco with a poor takedown
and King counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
King misses with a few strikes there.
Loco drops down looking to force a counter takedown but King defends it well.
Loco fails with a takedown attempt.
Jab by King.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
King keeps Loco at a distance using the push kick.
King smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
King throws a nice head kick!
Loco with a poor takedown
and King counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
King lands a jab-cross combination.
Loco misses with a takedown attempt
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
and King counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Loco closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A jab from King finds it's way through Loco's defenses.
Loco shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling King to counter with a crisp jab.
Loco takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King connects with a good right hand that stumbles Loco. Loco circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Loco fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
King was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
King is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Loco can do to turn this around?
Loco dives in and grabs King's left leg, looking for a takedown. King pushes down on Loco's head and hops out.
James King is winning the standup battle so far.
King lands a head kick!
Nice uppercut there from King.
Loco has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
King thows a body kick. Loco tries to catch it but that hurt him.
King throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
King works over Loco's head and body with a nice combination.
King throws a body shot but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Loco gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and King counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Loco misses with a takedown
and King counters with a straight right hand.
Loco has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from King.
Loco closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Loco shoots and misses
and King counters with a straight right hand.
Loco takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Loco takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
King scores with a shot to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Loco shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Loco is breathing heavily.
Loco sitting in guard here, content to control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James King dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Loco takes one on the button.

Loco gets the takedown into side control.
King tries to bench press Loco off him but Loco keeps the position.
King is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
King wants to control but Loco is keeping busy.
King wants to improve his position but Loco is controlling well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
King is trying to maintain the position but Loco is very close to passing his half guard.
Loco is looking to take a break and control but King is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

King has one foot on Loco's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Loco steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from King. That one must have hurt.
Loco misses with a takedown attempt
and King counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Loco gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and King counters with a straight right hand.
Loco takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
King scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
King buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Loco with a poor takedown
and King counters with a thumping low kick.
James King has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mono Loco.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Loco closes the distance and clinches up with King, looking for a takedown. Loco pushes King against the cage but King circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
King lands a jab to Loco's midsection.
Loco tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but King defends well and Loco ends up having to push King into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
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!
Loco on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Loco on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
King scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
King lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
King lands a nice looking body kick.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Loco crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from King - the referee stops the clock and Loco gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says King. Loco manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
A head kick from King lands but Loco takes it in his stride.
Loco will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for King.
Loco stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from King.
King fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Loco shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and King connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Loco with a poor takedown
and King counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
King's corner calls for a 1-2. King obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
King lets loose with a powerful body kick. Loco will feel that in the morning.
King scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
King works Loco's body with a nice hook.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Loco is defended easily by King.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King lands a lovely overhand right.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Loco takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
King connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
King throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Loco changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Nice uppercut there from King.
King lands with a hook. Loco tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Loco fails with the takedown
and King cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James King clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A solid leg kick lands there for King.
Loco walks forward, straight into a front kick from King.
King with the inside leg kick.
King tries a head kick but it misses.
King with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Loco fails with the takedown.
Loco shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says King as he avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Loco has his takedown stuffed
and King counters with a stiff right hand.
James King has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mono Loco.
Loco is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Loco on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
King will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Loco feints the counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Loco chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before King can pounce on him.
King scores with a decent looking hook.
Loco shoots in looking for a takedown. King tries to sprawl out of it but Loco keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. King manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
King throws a combination. Loco tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Loco goes for a double leg but King avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as King continues to drive forward.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Loco has his takedown stuffed
and King counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Loco is lucky that one didn't land flush.
King cracks Loco with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Loco misses with a takedown attempt
enabling King to counter with a crisp jab.
Loco takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
King lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
King jabs Loco right on the nose. Loco blinks but takes it well.
Loco shoots in and drives through. King sprawls well.
Loco fails to land the takedown.
King keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
King pulls out of a head kick attempt.
King scores with a decent looking hook.
King throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Loco with the counter takedown but King avoids it easily.

Loco drives through with a takedown into King's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
King keeping full guard, as Loco tries to pass.
King pulls Loco in to control the position.
King trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Loco is fighting to break King's control of his arms but King is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Loco sitting in guard here, content to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Loco trying to control the position from guard on top but King is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Loco stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. King swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Loco fails with a takedown attempt.
King thinks about countering with a head kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James King had his way with Mono Loco in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Loco takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
King smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from King - that will leave a mark!
Loco looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Loco with a poor takedown
and King counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
King feints and then cracks Loco's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Loco down.
King tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
King throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King lands a right hook to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by King. That's going to slow Loco down.
King looking to land some kicks to the body here.
King with a jab.
Loco has his takedown stuffed
and King counters with a nice uppercut.
James King has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mono Loco.
Loco has his takedown stuffed
and King counters with a nice body shot.
Loco is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
King throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Loco shoots in looking for a takedown but King manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Loco's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
King thinks about countering with a head kick.
King scores with a spinning back kick!
James King is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
King changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
King lands with a kick to the temple. Loco shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
A slapping body kick lands there for King.
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!
King bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
King scores with a spinning back kick!
King throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Loco changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Loco's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
King displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Loco.
King tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Loco misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Loco on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
King lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Loco chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before King can pounce on him.
Loco shoots and misses
and King makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Loco has his takedown stuffed
and King counters with a stiff right hand.
King misses with the combination.
Loco takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Loco shoots in looking for a takedown but King manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Loco's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Loco with a lazy takedown attempt
and Loco takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A nice leg kick lands there from King.
Loco tries to score a power double leg takedown but King sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Loco somewhat.
King scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

And that's the end of the fight!
James King showed his dominance in that final round.
Well King has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 50:42
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 50:42
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 50:42

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James King!
James King retains his featherweight title!
James King made sure to mention his sponsor, Vegan Gains in his post fight interview.