PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jonathan Caruso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hada Pija (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Caruso
vs
Pija

170 cm
23
140 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

172 cm
25
131 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

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 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jonathan Caruso!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Hada Pija!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Gregory Folan and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pija lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Caruso decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Caruso is keen to just control but Pija is a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Caruso throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Caruso is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Caruso seems to be working for a kimura but Pija defends the submission attempt.
Caruso missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Caruso is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Pija is just riding it out for now. Caruso eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Caruso is working for a kimura but Pija is defending it quite comfortably.
Pija looks gassed!
Caruso is looking to advance position but Pija won't allow it.
Caruso is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Caruso is trying to work for a kimura but Pija is defending well.

Caruso is working for a submission of some sort.
Pija wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Caruso is looking for a kimura here.
Caruso missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Caruso prevents Pija from standing back up.
Caruso performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Caruso prevents Pija from standing back up.

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.

Caruso 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.

Caruso wants to work for an arm triangle but Pija is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pija won't allow Caruso to pass to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonathan Caruso dominated 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.

Pija closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Caruso turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Caruso throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Caruso.
Caruso wants to control for a moment but Pija uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Pija can do anything to dispel that myth.
Caruso tries to pass the half guard into mount. Pija knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Caruso is trying to work for a kimura but Pija is defending well.

Caruso is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Caruso is working for a kimura but Pija is defending it quite comfortably.
Pija is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Pija really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Caruso. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Caruso tries to stand but can't do so whilst Pija controls his leg.
Pija makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Pija.
Pija is controlling Caruso's posture.
Caruso trying to control but Pija is working from the bottom.
Caruso won't allow Pija to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Caruso looking to pass the guard.
Caruso postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Caruso pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pija is keeping the position for now.
Caruso throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Pija is working an open guard so Caruso takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pija looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nice sprawl there from Pija as Caruso shoots in.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Caruso will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Pija clinches.
Caruso is trying to drag Pija to the mat but Pija just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jonathan Caruso. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Caruso has had enough of the clinch but Pija keeps him there for the moment.
Caruso drops down looking for an ankle pick but Pija pulls his leg out and moves away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Pija pushes Caruso up against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Hada Pija will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Pija tries to close the distance and clinch up but Caruso swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Pija moves out of range as Caruso throws a body kick.
Pija is looking to clinch but Caruso is avoiding it.

Pija gets a clinch.
Pija gets underhooks to prevent Caruso's takedown attempt.
Caruso goes for a takedown attempt but Pija pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Pija tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Caruso paws at him with a jab and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Caruso keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pija tries to clinch but Caruso is having none of it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pija with a poor takedown

and Caruso counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Caruso.
Caruso has Pija pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Pija manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jonathan Caruso. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pija has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Caruso is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Caruso tries to score a body lock takedown but Pija shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Caruso has hold of one of Pija's legs. Pija is fighting the takedown attempt but Caruso gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Pija has his foot on Caruso's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Caruso works his way back into a safe position though.
Pija 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.
Caruso pushes down on Pija's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Caruso is working for a kimura but Pija is defending it quite comfortably.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Caruso postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Pija to stand up.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Caruso.

Pija has Caruso up against the cage in a clinch.
Caruso is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pija gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Caruso has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Pija avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Pija.

Pija's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Caruso misses with a takedown
and Pija counters with a big head kick but Caruso shrugs it off.
Caruso misses with a takedown
and Pija counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Caruso misses with a takedown

and Pija counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Caruso throws a sloppy strike from the bottom. He's now off balance and Pija manages to pass to side control.
Caruso can't do much from the bottom here.
Pija tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Pija working away.
Caruso looks to move to half guard but instead Pija has passed into mount! Damn!

And that's the end of the fight!
Hada Pija comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Pija 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!