PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tree Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nathan Dark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Jones
vs
Dark

190 cm
19
193 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

180 cm
19
186 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Nemesis Cage Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight 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, Tree Jones!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Nathan Dark!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Andrew Berry and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dark gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Dark has Jones pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Jones manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Jones has Dark pressed against the cage, preventing Dark from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Jones stops a takedown attempt from Dark.
Jones prevents a takedown attempt there.
Tree Jones has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nathan Dark.
Jones tries to break the clinch but Dark is controlling the position.
Jones working aggressively here.
Jones is trying to force a seperation but Dark has the dominant position.
Jones lands with a left to the head.
Dark wants a takedown but no success here.

Jones breaks from the clinch.
Dark walks into a stiff left hand from Jones.
Jones looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Jones lands with a straight right. Dark didn't see that one coming.
Jones misses with a straight right.
Jones throws a looping overhand right but Dark ducks down to avoid it.
Dark fails with an attempt to clinch.

Dark moves into the clinch.
Dark tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jones just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones lands a left hand that snaps the head of Dark backwards.

Jones breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tree Jones seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jones fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Jones misses with a jab, cross combination.
Jones is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Jones lands a two punch combo.
Dark avoids the head kick by Jones.
Jones throws a big shot that misses.
No luck for Dark with that takedown attempt.
Dark shoots in for a double leg but Jones sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Dark shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Jones's guard.
Darkis looking to pass into half guard but Jones pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Jones is in guard.

Jones gets to his feet. Dark looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dark looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dark uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Jones.

Dark drives through with a takedown into guard.
Jones wants to stand and escape but Dark is having none of it.

Dark gets to his feet - Jones follows without any prompting.
Tree Jones is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dark shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Jones pinned against the cage. Jones gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Dark looks gassed!
Jones misses with a double jab.
A chopping leg kick lands by Jones.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Dark.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Jones.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Dark.
Jones looks to throw the jab but Dark is out of range.

Dark gets a takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jones tries to kick Dark off but Dark keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Dark is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Jones makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones misses with the combination.
Dark closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jones circles away.
Jones scores with a punch to the head.
Jones lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Dark circles away quickly and effectively.
A combination from Jones does no damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jones misses with an uppercut. Dark saw that one coming.
Jones leaves Dark with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Jones misses with a few strikes there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nice straight punches there by Jones. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Jones.
Jones lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Dark takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Jones.
Jones throws a low kick but Dark avoids it.
Dark ducks under a wild hook from Jones.
Jones throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dark.
Jones lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Tree Jones is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dark tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Jones swivels and escapes.
Jones swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jones misses with a two punch combination.
Jones tries to bum rush Dark with a series of wild strikes but Dark uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dark staying out of range there.
Jones tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dark was well out of range. Poor timing from Jones.
Jones misses with a double jab.
Dark has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Dark avoids the body shot from Jones.
Jones misses with the combination.
Dark shoots in and drives through. Jones sprawls well.
Tree Jones is winning the standup battle so far.
No joy there for Jones, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jones pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Jones throws a head kick that misses.
Dark staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones misses with a jab, cross combination.
Dark fails in his attempt to clinch.
Dark wants to clinch.
Jones looks to throw the jab but Dark is out of range.
Dark ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Jones misses with the combination.

Dark drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jones is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dark trying to control the action but Jones is working from the bottom.

Jones throws Dark to one side and escapes!
Dark ducks under a wild hook from Jones.

Dark closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Dark lands in his opponent's guard.
Dark won't allow Jones to get back to his feet.

Dark drops back, looking for a kneebar! Jones looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Jones looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Jones!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jones decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Dark throws a wild body kick that Jones sees coming a mile off.
Jones throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Dark slips a jab and a cross from Jones.
Dark throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Jones's waist but Jones gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Dark off to one side.
Tree Jones has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nathan Dark.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jones fails to land with a series of punches.
Jones moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Jones throws a right and a left that Dark avoids nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tree Jones dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

No joy there for Jones, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jones is looking to score with low kicks.
Jones loads up on a big right hand but Dark slips the punch.
Jones scores with a jab. Dark acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Dark chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Jones can pounce on him.
Jones misses with a looping left.
Dark walks into a left hand.
Dark avoids a punch combination nicely.

Dark gets a clinch.
Jones wants to get back to striking at distance but Dark won't allow it.
Dark is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Jones gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Jones tries to break the clinch but Dark is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones is pressed up against the cage. Dark has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Jones down to the mat. Jones avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Dark showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Jones.
Jones will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nice shot lands for Jones.
Dark takes one to the side of the head.
Dark ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Horrible takedown by Dark or perhaps it was just good defense by Jones which made him look bad.
Tree Jones has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nathan Dark.
A telegraphed right hand from Jones misses the target.
Jones keeps the fight on the outside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Dark sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Jones misses with a looping right.

Dark drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Jones is pushing Dark's head away, looking to escape. Dark manages to hold on to the position though.
Dark is looking to take a break and control but Jones is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Jones sneaks out the side door and pushes Dark away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Jones misses with a series of wild punches.
Jones fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dark slips a straight right by Jones.
Dark avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Dark shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jones looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jones throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dark slips a straight right by Jones.
Jones loads up on a big right hand but Dark slips the punch.
Jones fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jones throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

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.
Jones closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dark fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Dark looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jones looks to clinch

and Dark counters with a single leg into guard. Jones didn't expect that.
Dark wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.
Dark prevents Jones from getting back to his feet.
Dark wants to get up but he can't break Jones's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Nathan Dark has got the better of the ground game so far.
Dark stops Jones from standing up.

Jones pushes Dark off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tree Jones clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Dark closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Jones is trying to get back to his feet.

Dark tries for a kimura but Jones is defending well.
Dark throwing strikes but Jones manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Dark is trying to control Jones's posture but Jones avoids it.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jones has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Jones throws out a loose jab but Dark uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head kick by Jones misses

and Dark counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Jones's guard now.
Dark prevents Jones from getting back to his feet.
Dark trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dark throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Jones is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Dark is controlling him.

Jones manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Dark fails to land the takedown.
Jones lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Dark at a distance.
Jones misses with a combination

and Dark counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Jones!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dark looking to ground and pound but Jones is blocking nicely.
Dark throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Dark trying to control but Jones is having none of it.
You get the feeling that Jones really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Jones takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Dark looking to control but Jones is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Dark might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Jones kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Jones trying desperately to get to his feet.

Dark get's back to his feet.
Dark has a takedown stuffed.
Jones throws a head kick that misses

and Dark counters with a takedown into side control.

Dark tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Dark prevents Jones from escaping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Dark dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Jones's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Dark tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Jones swivels and escapes.

Dark shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Jones's guard.

Jones has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Dark off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Dark walks into a left hand.
Jones rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dark moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Jones looks to land a left hand but Dark moved out of range nicely.
Jones looks to throw the jab but Dark is out of range.
Jones throws a jab but it's blocked by Dark.
Dark shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Jones as he jumps to the side.
Dark avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dark.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dark is defended easily by Jones.
Tree Jones has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nathan Dark.
Jones misses with a jab, cross combination.
Jones fails to land with a series of punches.
A punch combination from Jones misses.
Jones misses with a combination

and Dark counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Dark.
Dark trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Jones stands up and waves to Dark to follow him.
Jones throws a looping overhand right but Dark ducks down to avoid it.
Horrible takedown by Dark or perhaps it was just good defense by Jones which made him look bad.

Jones moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones is working Dark over against the cage.
Dark changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Jones fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A combination from Jones does no damage.
Jones is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Jones throws a combination that misses

and Dark counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Dark won't allow Jones to get back to his feet.

Dark drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Jones manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Dark has Jones in his guard.

Jones gets to his feet - Dark follows without any prompting.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones misses with a head kick.
Jones cracks Dark with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Jones looks to land a combination but Dark avoids it well.
Jones swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Dark counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Jones has his feet on Dark's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Dark shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Dark showed some decent athleticism there.
Dark is keen to just control but Jones is a slippery customer.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nathan Dark comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Jones has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 for Tree Jones!
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight for Tree Jones!
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight for Tree Jones!

Tree Jones wins by unanimous decision!
Tree Jones retains his middleweight title!