PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Justin Jones (ranked 3453 p4p, 2919 weight class) and Burt Craig (ranked 398 p4p, 349 weight class). Jones kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Lydia - Highly Suspect. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Jones
vs
Craig

188 cm
27
205
3 - 1 - 0

185 cm
26
212
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Justin Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Burt Craig!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Aafke Stam and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jones stuns Craig with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Craig throws a hook to the side of Jones's head but Jones sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jones jabs Craig to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Craig is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Craig throws a body shot but no joy.
Craig throws the left hand but Jones avoids the punch easily.
Jones is looking to counter punch.
Craig takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Jones shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Craig but Craig pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Jones stuffs the takedown attempt from Craig. Craig gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice jab there from Craig.

Jones gets tackled into the cage by Craig. Craig maintains the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Craig fails to land.

Jones breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jones lands a glancing blow to the side of Craig's head.
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.

Jones decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Craig manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Jones keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Craig dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Craig goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Jones breaks from the clinch.
Jones avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Jones shoots in looking for a takedown but Craig manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Jones's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Justin Jones seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Craig throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Jones looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Jones scores with a decent looking hook.

Craig gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Jones stops Craig from standing up.
Jones working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Craig wants to sweep but no luck.
Craig is pulling down on Jones's head. It's preventing any offense from Jones, at least for the moment.
Craig can't keep his opponent in guard - Jones advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Jones throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Jones throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Craig to regain full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Craig can do anything to dispel that myth.
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!
Craig looking for a sweep. Not yet Craig, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Craig working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jones.
Jones looking to sit in guard and control but Craig gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Craig engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Craig connects with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Craig trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Jones preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Jones pulls Craig in close to prevent any damage.
Craig wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.
Jones 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.
Craig pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jones is keeping the position for now.
Craig trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Craig is looking to work some ground and pound but Jones has wrist control.
Craig throwing strikes but missing.

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.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Craig from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Craig scores with a nice right hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Craig misses the target.
Craig is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Craig.
Craig waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Jones.
Craig tries to clinch but Jones moves away
and Jones counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Craig misses with a hook to the body
and Jones counters with a straight right hand.
Jones lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Craig circles away quickly and effectively.
Jones swats away the attempt to clinch by Craig.
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 Justin Jones will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A jab lands there for Jones.
Jones thows a body kick. Craig tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Craig doesn't manage to clinch there - Jones circles away.
Jones throws a big counter combination but Craig scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Jones, as that shot connected.
Jones tries to bum rush Craig with a series of wild strikes but Craig uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Craig throws a counter combo.
Jones throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Jones with a lazy takedown attempt

and Craig counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Jones!
Craig works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
You can see the frustration on Jones's face as Craig controls the position.
Craig is looking to take a break and control but Jones is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Craig cracks Jones with a big elbow.
You can see the frustration on Jones's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Craig postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Craig is trying to get an arm triangle but Jones is defending well.
Jones takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

Craig tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Jones is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Craig's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Craig stalling.
Craig wants to lay and pray for a moment but Jones keeps working.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Craig trying to control the action but Jones is working from the bottom.
Jones is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jones blocking the ground and pound attempt from Craig.
Burt Craig has got the better of the ground game so far.
Craig thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Jones's head.
Craig stops Jones from getting back to his feet.
Craig takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Craig controlling the pace.
Craig working the head and body with strikes.
Craig tries to pass to full mount but Jones defends it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jones is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Craig wants to work for an arm triangle but Jones is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Craig takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The fighters are battling for position here. Jones manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Jones controlling the position.
Craig slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Jones wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Craig forces his way into half guard.
Craig trying to control the action but Jones is working from the bottom.
Craig winds up and cracks Jones with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Craig is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Jones trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Craig throwing shots but Jones is blocking nicely.
Jones wants to improve his position but Craig is controlling well.

Craig is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Jones defends it well.
Craig trying to control the pace.
Craig trying to control from half guard but Jones is working away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Craig missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Craig is trying to work for a kimura but Jones is defending well.
Craig is thwarting Jones's attempts to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Burt Craig showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Jones scores with a body shot.
Craig fails in his attempt to clinch.
Jones throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Craig.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Craig! But no joy.
Jones shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Craig eats them both and turns towards Jones to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Jones fails with the takedown.
Craig tries to clinch but Jones is having none of it.
Jones fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Craig throws the left hand but Jones avoids the punch easily.
Jones keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones slaps away a takedown attempt from Craig, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Jones scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Craig swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Craig takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jones will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Craig tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jones fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Craig on the side of the head.
Jones throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A shot to the liver by Jones. Beautiful body shot.
Craig throws a jab when Jones was well out of range.
Jones works the jab nicely.
Craig shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Jones as he avoids it easily.
Justin Jones has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Burt Craig.
Jones throws a series of strikes that have Craig backpedaling.
Jones shoots in for a takedown but Craig shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A jab from Craig misses.
Craig tries to clinch but Jones moves out of range.
Jones throws a series of strikes that have Craig backpedaling.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jones tries to score a power double leg takedown but Craig sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jones somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Craig bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Jones's head backwards.
Justin Jones is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jones uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Craig.
Jones shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Craig throws out a loose jab but Jones uses good head movement to avoid it.
Craig displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Jones.
Jones keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Craig.
Craig takes a jab right on the kisser.
A big right from Craig misses.
Jones throws a right hand that Craig ducks under and follows up with a left that Craig also avoids with ease.
Craig might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Jones scores with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Craig tries to clinch but Jones is having none of it.
Craig moves in looking to clinch but Jones pushes him off.
It looked like Jones wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Justin Jones is winning the standup battle so far.
Jones closes the distance and clinches up with Craig, looking for a takedown. Jones pushes Craig against the cage but Craig circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Jones lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Craig circles away quickly and effectively.
Craig throws out a counter right but Jones avoids it with no problem.

Craig has closed the distance and engaged Jones in a clinch.
Jones wants to get back to striking at distance but Craig won't allow it.
Jones blocks a body shot from Craig.
Craig is looking for a takedown.
Jones prevents the takedown attempt.

Jones breaks the clinch.

Craig fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Jones, pushing him back against the cage.
Craig is working for takedown but Jones is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jones breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Craig shoots in looking for a takedown. Jones tries to sprawl out of it but Craig keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Jones manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
As Craig looks to move away, Jones throws a big counter combo but Craig just gets out of the way.
Craig has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Jones.

Jones shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Craig napping and manages to drive through into side control!
This has been an exciting period of action!
The ground and pound from Jones seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

Jones swings around for an armbar but Craig sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Jones's guard.
Craig has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Craig trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Craig 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 Craig has Jones in his guard.

Jones stands up over Craig, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Justin Jones showed his dominance in that final round.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justin Jones!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Justin Jones waved his t-shirt featuring Sakura Style's logo in front of the cameras.
Burt Craig spoke after the fight, saying 'Kick a fucking bucket.'.