PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Crazy James (ranked 4295 p4p, 4755 weight class) and Michael Ferguson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Crazy James has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

James
vs
Ferguson

181 cm
25
167
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
19
170
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Crazy James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Michael Ferguson!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ferguson.

Ferguson clinches up with James and pushes him back against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ferguson as James tries to tie him up.
Ferguson has had enough of the clinch but James keeps him there for the moment.
Ferguson prevents James from breaking the clinch.

James escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
James tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ferguson swivels and escapes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ferguson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

James shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Ferguson napping and manages to drive through into side control!

James thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson is trying to get back to half guard.
Ferguson can't do much from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ferguson is looking to reverse the position.
You can see the frustration on Ferguson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
James controlling the position from side mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ferguson prevents James from improving position.
Ferguson is not content to let James control the position.
Ferguson wants to control but James postures up.
James knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ferguson on the ground.
Ferguson sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
James seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ferguson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ferguson tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of James's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take James's back!
Ferguson has the hooks in. James is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Ferguson slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
James trying to control the hands but Ferguson breaks the grip.
Ferguson has good solid back control here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ferguson has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Ferguson patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
James tries to break free.
James turns into Ferguson and is now in his guard.
James looking to pass the guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
James trying to control but Ferguson is working from the bottom.
James passes Ferguson's left leg - he's now in half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Michael Ferguson will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

James throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Ferguson shoots in for a takedown but James shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
James throws a front kick that sends Ferguson stumbling back into the cage.
Ferguson wants to clinch
and James counters with a left to the body.
Ferguson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but James avoids it really well and circles away.
Ferguson is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James has a takedown stuffed.
James fails with the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson shoots in but James avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Crazy James has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Ferguson.

James shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Ferguson wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and James manages to pass to side control.

James is thwarting Ferguson's attempts to control the position.

James stands up and beckons Ferguson to join him on the feet.
Ferguson with a poor takedown

and James counters by clinching up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James jumps guard but Ferguson stands there with James around his waist. James gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ferguson prevents the takedown attempt.
Stalling in the clinch from James.
James pressing his opponent against the cage.

James pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ferguson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
James shoots in for a takedown but Ferguson shows good takedown defense.
No luck for Ferguson with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

James closes the distance and clinches.

James pulls guard successfully.
Ferguson content to stall in guard here.
Ferguson postures up.
Ferguson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ferguson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ferguson is stalling in the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
James changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ferguson tries to avoid it but James manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ferguson to the ground. Ferguson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ferguson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
James is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ferguson can do to turn this around?

Ferguson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. James sprawls well initially but Ferguson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
James is looking to control Ferguson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can James avoid being mounted?
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
James keeps control of the position for the meantime.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

James looks for a takedown but Ferguson sprawls well.

Ferguson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

James looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ferguson performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ferguson seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Ferguson looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
James is looking to control Ferguson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can James avoid being mounted?

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
James shoots in for a takedown but Ferguson shows good takedown defense.

Ferguson gets a clinch.
James is pressed up against the cage. Ferguson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag James down to the mat. James avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
James fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Crazy James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

James has taken the fight to the clinch.

James pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Ferguson rushes James and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
James is looking to break free of the clinch but Ferguson has double underhooks.

James gets control of Ferguson's arms and successfully pulls guard. James will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
James is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Ferguson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Ferguson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

James is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Ferguson presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
James tries to pull guard but Ferguson holds him up against the cage and eventually James drops back down to his feet.
James pushes off an throws an elbow but Ferguson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Ferguson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A short body shot lands from James as the two fighters clinch.
Ferguson missing with knees to the body.

Ferguson manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
James wants to stand but Ferguson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Ferguson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
James wants to stand and escape but instead Ferguson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

James wants to hit a sweep here but Ferguson passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for James there!
James is desperately trying to improve his position but Ferguson has a good base and remains in mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Ferguson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ferguson 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Ferguson!