PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jon James (ranked 2977 p4p, 2932 weight class) and Silvija Bandaraite (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

James
vs
Bandaraite

180 cm
18
153
0 - 0 - 0

151 cm
18
147
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jon James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Silvija Bandaraite!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Chad Campbell and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bandaraite fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with James, pushing him back against the cage.

James jumps into guard, dragging Bandaraite to the mat.
James pulls Bandaraite in close to prevent any damage.
James is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bandaraite controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Bandaraite throws a big right hand that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bandaraite.
Bandaraite advances position into side control!
Bandaraite is looking to take a break and control but James is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James tries to escape but Bandaraite is in control.
James is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Bandaraite trying to control the position but James is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
James wants to control but Bandaraite postures up.
Bandaraite wants to lay and pray for a moment but James keeps working.
James manages to work his way to half guard, despite Bandaraite's best efforts.
Bandaraite trying to pass the guard but James defending well.
Bandaraite moves nicely into side control.

Bandaraite decides to stand up, so the ref orders James to his feet.

Bandaraite drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

James explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Bandaraite looks winded!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

James scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The fighters are battling for position here. Bandaraite manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
James showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
James seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Bandaraite for as long as he can get away with.
James'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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James continues to stall.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
More hug and hope from James.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
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 Jon James will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

James dives in and scores a takedown into Bandaraite's guard.
James controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
James will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Bandaraite working for a triangle but James defends it easily.
James not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Bandaraite can do anything to dispel that myth.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James wants to control from the top but Bandaraite keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bandaraite being controlled here, momentarily.
James trying to control but Bandaraite is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Bandaraite takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Bandaraite looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for James!
Bandaraite is breathing heavily.
James tries to buck Bandaraite off but Bandaraite is having none of it.
James bucks up and tries to throw Bandaraite off but instead Bandaraite has got his back!
Will Bandaraite go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
James manages to reverse the position and now he's in Bandaraite's guard. Nice work there by James.
James seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bandaraite looking for a sweep. Not yet Bandaraite, not yet.

James stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Bandaraite gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
James is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

James stands up from guard. Let's bang!

James has taken the fight to the clinch.
James drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

James pulls guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jon James dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

James throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bandaraite shoots for a takedown but James saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
James throws a counter high kick but Bandaraite was just alert enough to avoid it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from James.
James fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bandaraite is clearly trying to counter these attacks from James with a body shot.
James misses with a lunging right hand
and Bandaraite counters with a series of strikes. James will be more careful next time no doubt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
James tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bandaraite swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bandaraite takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bandaraite fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bandaraite walks forward, straight into a front kick from James.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bandaraite has managed to clinch.
James is trying to pull guard but Bandaraite has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon James. That's going to take a lot out of him.

James jumps guard and drags Bandaraite to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Bandaraite stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. James swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bandaraite being controlled here momentarily.

James has an active guard here but Bandaraite has managed to pass into half guard.
James is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bandaraite postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for James to stand up.

Bandaraite drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

James is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
This has been an exciting period of action!
James is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Bandaraite fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Bandaraite swats away the attempt to clinch by James.
Bandaraite throws a one two combo.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Bandaraite enables James to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Bandaraite manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells James's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Bandaraite keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.
Jon James overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
James engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James throws a big right hand that misses.
Bandaraite trying to keep a closed guard but James is proving a slippery customer.
James is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bandaraite trying to keep a closed guard but James is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jon James.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for James, 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jon James!