PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Aarav Gordon (ranked 3345 p4p, 3555 weight class) and Lil Jon Jones Ii (ranked 219 p4p, 231 weight class). Aarav Gordon had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Gordon
vs
Jones Ii

174 cm
25
144
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
24
141
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Determined

BANZAI NUTRITION

BANZAI NUTRITION
Un-Kaged Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Aarav Gordon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lil Jon Jones Ii!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Shigeki Sano and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Jones Ii clinches with his opponent.
Jones Ii has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Gordon is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Gordon tightens his grip and picks Jones Ii up, before dumping him to the ground. Jones Ii manages to land in guard.

Jones Ii is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Jones Ii can't keep his opponent in guard - Gordon advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Gordon missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Jones Ii wants to improve his position but Gordon is controlling well.

Gordon is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Gordon wants to pass the guard but Jones Ii is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gordon is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Jones Ii tries to roll over but Gordon keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jones Ii looking for submissions off his back.
Gordon is stalling here. Jones Ii is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Gordon seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Jones Ii has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Jones Ii tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Gordon isn't going anywhere.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jones Ii working the ground and pound.
Gordon stops Jones Ii from passing to mount.
Jones Ii is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Jones Ii working the strikes but Gordon uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jones Ii is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Jones Ii looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Jones Ii trying to control the action but Gordon is working from the bottom.
Gordon regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Jones Ii.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gordon is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Gordon pulls Jones Ii in to control the position.
Jones Ii trying to control the position from guard on top but Gordon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jones Ii tries to free his leg and advance position but Gordon is retaining full guard.
Jones Ii in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Jones Ii content to stall in guard here.
Jones Ii trying to control but Gordon is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gordon looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Gordon defending well as Jones Ii loads up on a big left hand.
Gordon half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Jones Ii shoots in looking for a takedown. Gordon tries to sprawl out of it but Jones Ii keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gordon manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Gordon tries to clinch but Jones Ii moves out of range.
Jones Ii is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Jones Ii gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Jones Ii is trying to pull guard but Gordon turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Aarav Gordon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lil Jon Jones Ii.
Gordon tries for a takedown but Jones Ii manages to get underhooks.

Gordon gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jones Ii trying to control the position.
Jones Ii looking for a sweep. Not yet Jones Ii, not yet.
Gordon engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
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 Aarav Gordon will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Jones Ii misses with a right hand

and Gordon moves into the clinch.

Gordon has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Jones Ii regains guard immediately.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jones Ii trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Gordon controls from within his opponent's guard.
Jones Ii has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gordon tries to free his leg and advance position but Jones Ii is retaining full guard.
Jones Ii is looking to sweep but instead, Gordon has passed into half guard.
Jones Ii tries to get to full guard but Gordon has control of the leg.
Gordon trying to control the action but Jones Ii is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones Ii wants to get back to full guard.
Jones Ii works his way to full guard. Good work.
Jones Ii is trying to keep Gordon in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gordon slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Gordon is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Jones Ii tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gordon controlling from side mount.
Jones Ii tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Jones Ii is still trying to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gordon trying to control the position but Jones Ii is working away.
Jones Ii struggling a bit here.
Jones Ii is trying to improve his position.
Gordon is looking to take a break and control but Jones Ii is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Gordon swings around for an armbar but Jones Ii sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Gordon's guard.
Gordon is trying to control the position but Jones Ii postures up.
Jones Ii wants to control from the top but Gordon keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones Ii looking to pass the guard.
Gordon is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Jones Ii preventing the sweep.
Gordon utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Jones Ii wants to control from the top but Gordon keeps moving.
Aarav Gordon overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Jones Ii wants to pass the guard but Gordon is keeping the position.

That's four 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.
Gordon not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Jones Ii drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Gordon dives on top into guard.

Gordon trying to control but Jones Ii is working from the bottom.
Gordon sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Jones Ii looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gordon postures up.

Jones Ii has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gordon can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aarav Gordon dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Gordon shoots in looking for a takedown but Jones Ii manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gordon's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Gordon gets tackled into the cage by Jones Ii. Jones Ii maintains the clinch.
Gordon is looking to take this one to the mat.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
We've been informed that Jones Ii has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Jones Ii prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aarav Gordon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jones Ii has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Gordon is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Jones Ii is fighting off a takedown attempt but Gordon is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Jones Ii to the mat. Jones Ii regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Gordon slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Jones Ii is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Gordon's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Jones Ii actively working from the bottom here.
Gordon seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Jones Ii does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones Ii works his way to full guard. Good work.
Jones Ii looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Jones Ii lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Jones Ii working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gordon is adopting a defensive guard.
Jones Ii trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gordon keeping moving, preventing Jones Ii from controlling successfully.
Lil Jon Jones Ii has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gordon wants to improve his position but instead Jones Ii has moved into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones Ii throwing shots but Gordon is blocking nicely.

Jones Ii is looking for a kimura but Gordon is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Jones Ii to get the leverage.
Jones Ii missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gordon trying to control from the bottom.
Gordon is not content to let Jones Ii control the position.
Gordon is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jones Ii is looking to take a break and control but Gordon is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones Ii wants to free his trapped foot but Gordon is holding on for dear life with his legs.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Aarav Gordon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jones Ii misses with a few strikes there.
Jones Ii attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Gordon throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Jones Ii was covering up waiting for the punch and Gordon finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Gordon slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Jones Ii working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gordon doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gordon manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones Ii controlling the position.

Jones Ii is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gordon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jones Ii is keeping the position for now.
Gordon stopping the sweep attempt from Jones Ii.
Jones Ii keeping full guard, as Gordon tries to pass.

Gordon avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gordon trying to control but Jones Ii is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lil Jon Jones Ii comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gordon 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:29
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Aarav Gordon!
After the fight, Aarav Gordon was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.