PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rand James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gunnar Hoffman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

James
vs
Hoffman

191 cm
20
265 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

185 cm
23
230 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rand James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gunnar Hoffman!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hoffman fails to land with a series of punches.
James looks for a takedown but Hoffman sprawls well.
Hoffman throws a combination but it was largely blocked by James.
James tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hoffman paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hoffman's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Hoffman duly obliges.
Hoffman misses with a wild combination.
James tries to clinch there but Hoffman circles away.
Hoffman keeps the fight on the outside.
James shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hoffman defends it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hoffman moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Hoffman will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - James throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hoffman lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Hoffman misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
James tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hoffman paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rand James seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James fails in his attempt to clinch.
James wants to clinch.
James throws a leg kick but Hoffman sees it coming and moves out of range.

James feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
James throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as James accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
James wants to pass the guard but Hoffman is keeping the position.
Hoffman preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
James throws and elbow that misses. Hoffman uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in James's guard. Nice move by Hoffman!
Hoffman throws a big right hand that misses.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Hoffman circles away from the clinch attempt.
James tries to clinch but Hoffman moves out of range.
Good work by Hoffman as he checks the leg kick.
Hoffman misses with a few strikes there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James misses with a looping left.
Hoffman will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hoffman fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rand James has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gunnar Hoffman.
James swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Hoffman counters with a left and a right that stings James.
Hoffman rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but James moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hoffman avoids the head kick by James.
Hoffman will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A head kick misses from James.
James closes the distance looking to clinch
and Hoffman counters with a series of strikes. James will be more careful next time no doubt.
James throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hoffman is working the combinations to good effect here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James closes the distance looking to clinch

and Hoffman counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for James!
Hoffman thowing shots but they're missing.
Hoffman working James over with strikes here.
Hoffman throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for James because Hoffman loaded up on that one.
Hoffman throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for James because Hoffman loaded up on that one.
Hoffman unloads with some shots from mount but James bucks and avoids them well.
Hoffman has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of James's face.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hoffman misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Good work by Hoffman as he checks the leg kick.
James tries to clinch

and Hoffman counters with a takedown into side control.
Hoffman in side control, throwing shots but James defends.
Hoffman in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Hoffman working the body and head with strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hoffman tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Hoffman looks up at the clock and then as James takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Hoffman smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Hoffman scoring with punches and elbows.
Hoffman working the strikes but James uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Hoffman thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hoffman looks to land a strike but James avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Hoffman loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoffman throws a big right hand that misses.
James wants to sweep but no luck.
Hoffman throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hoffman has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hoffman landing with the ground and pound.
James working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hoffman.
Hoffman working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hoffman throws a strike but James rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
James landing some decent shots from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Hoffman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
James trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hoffman avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
James's corner is telling him to maintain position.
James tries to free his leg and advance position but Hoffman is retaining full guard.
James forces his way into half guard.
James controlling the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James is pressing down on Hoffman's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hoffman is holding on for now.
James trying to control the action but Hoffman is working from the bottom.
James thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
James throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
James perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Hoffman blocking the ground and pound attempt from James.
James wants to control but Hoffman is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
James tries to clinch

and Hoffman counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Hoffman thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed James's head.
Hoffman throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hoffman trying to pass the guard but James defending well.
Hoffman tries to stand but his hand is stuck under James.
Hoffman with the ground and pound but James uses the opportunity to regain guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
James tries to land a sweep but no joy.

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.
James tries for a takedown but Hoffman manages to get underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunnar Hoffman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

James wants to clinch but Hoffman slips to the side
and Hoffman counters with a left and a right that stings James.
Hoffman throws a combination that misses
and James counters with a good low kick that Hoffman was not able to check.

Hoffman looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
James is looking for a sweep. Hoffman is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hoffman throwing shots but James is blocking nicely.
Hoffman missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
James keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hoffman tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Hoffman lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Hoffman takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James gets full guard.
Hoffman is looking to work some ground and pound but James has wrist control.
Hoffman throws and elbow that misses. James uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hoffman's guard. Nice move by James!
James postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hoffman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from James.
Hoffman keeping full guard, as James tries to pass.
James throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hoffman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
James postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
James is looking to work some ground and pound but Hoffman has wrist control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A solid leg kick lands there for James.

James shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
James tries to free his leg and advance position but Hoffman is retaining full guard.
James with a flurry of punches that miss.
James trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hoffman wants to stand up but James is controlling him.
James postures up in Hoffman's guard and throws a big left but Hoffman blocks it.
Hoffman utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
James postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James lands a couple of digs.
James is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Hoffman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from James.
James loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
James working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
James throws a big right hand that misses.
Hoffman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from James.
James trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
James is looking to work some ground and pound but Hoffman has wrist control.
Gunnar Hoffman has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hoffman keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
James with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
James tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hoffman swivels and escapes.
James throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

It looks like Gunnar Hoffman has been cut.

James shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
James perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
James passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Hoffman!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
James throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rand James showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hoffman 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Gunnar Hoffman!
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight for Gunnar Hoffman!
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Gunnar Hoffman!

Gunnar Hoffman wins by unanimous decision!