PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Randy Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mer Jimenez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mer Jimenez has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Couture
vs
Jimenez

183 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

179 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Randy Couture!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mer Jimenez!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Damien Edna and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Couture tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Jimenez swivels and escapes.
Jimenez should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Couture shoots for a takedown but Jimenez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Jimenez.
Jimenez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Couture.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Couture. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jimenez dips to his left and cracks Couture with an uppercut!
Couture closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jimenez circles away.
Couture takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Jimenez stuffs the takedown attempt from Couture. Couture gets slowly back to his feet.
Jimenez scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jimenez swinging wildly here.
Couture shoots in for a takedown but Jimenez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Couture is breathing heavily.

Jimenez moves into the clinch successfully.

Jimenez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jimenez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Jimenez wants it to stay on the feet.
A slapping body kick lands there for Jimenez.
Couture tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Jimenez scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Jimenez lands a jab-cross combination.

Couture tries to keep at a distance but Jimenez has taken the fight into the clinch.
Jimenez is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Jimenez manages to break the clinch.
Left hook, right uppercut from Jimenez.
Jimenez scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jimenez closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Jimenez throws a series of strikes that have Couture backpedaling.

Oooh a lovely combination from Jimenez sends Couture down but not out. Jimenez dives into side control looking to finish.

Couture is rocked!
Couture managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Jimenez.
Oh Couture is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Jimenez works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sloppy strikes there by Jimenez.
Couture seems to have got his legs back now.
Jimenez lands a nice forearm strike.
An elbow from Jimenez crashes against the mat.
Jimenez in side control, throwing shots but Couture defends.
Jimenez in side control, throwing shots but Couture defends.
An elbow from Jimenez crashes against the mat.
Couture defending against the ground and pound.
Jimenez misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Couture closes the distance and clinches up with Jimenez, looking for a takedown. Couture pushes Jimenez against the cage but Jimenez circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jimenez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Couture.
Jimenez listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Couture has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Jimenez displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Jimenez throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Jimenez lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Jimenez. That's going to slow Couture down.
Jimenez lands a jab-cross combination.
Couture shoots in for a takedown but Jimenez shows good takedown defense.
Couture fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Jimenez lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Couture backs up against the cage.
Jimenez getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Jimenez lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Jimenez throws a quick inside leg kick.
Jimenez's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Jimenez duly obliges.
Jimenez cracks Couture with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Danga de danga de dang - Jimenez scores with a four punch combination!
Jimenez lands a two punch combo.
Jimenez works over Couture's head and body with a nice combination.
Jimenez looks to land a combination. Couture sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Jimenez clinches up against the cage.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Couture. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Jimenez presses Couture against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Couture tries to score a body lock takedown but Jimenez shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Jimenez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jimenez displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Jimenez pinned against the cage. Jimenez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Jimenez moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Couture fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Jimenez.
Couture shoots in looking for a takedown. Jimenez tries to sprawl out of it but Couture keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Jimenez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Jimenez lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Couture misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Jimenez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Couture but Couture pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Jimenez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Couture.
Jimenez looks to land a combination. Couture sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Couture shoots in for a takedown but Jimenez shows good takedown defense.
Jimenez cracks the inside of Couture's front leg.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Couture is defended easily by Jimenez.
Jimenez lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jimenez smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Couture dives in and grabs Jimenez's left leg, looking for a takedown. Jimenez pushes down on Couture's head and hops out.
Jimenez moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Jimenez!
Jimenez lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Couture backs up against the cage.
Couture fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Jimenez throws a right and a left that Couture avoids nicely.

Couture drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Couture working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
The strikes coming from Couture are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Jimenez avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Couture.
Jimenez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Couture. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Couture in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mer Jimenez dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nice takedown defense from Jimenez. No joy for Couture on that attempt.

Couture shoots in and bounces Jimenez off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Jimenez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jimenez tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Couture is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Couture missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Couture postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Jimenez is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Couture, into his guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Couture throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jimenez postures up in Couture's guard and throws a big left but Couture blocks it.
Jimenez is looking to work some ground and pound but Couture has wrist control.
Couture on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Couture tries to get out of the position.

Jimenez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Jimenez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Jimenez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Jimenez throws a big right hand that misses.
Jimenez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Jimenez throwing strikes from guard but Couture blocks nicely.
Jimenez throwing strikes from guard but Couture blocks nicely.
Couture has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Couture throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Couture looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Jimenez thows a big elbow that misses.

Couture throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Jimenez looking to pass the guard.
Jimenez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Couture manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Jimenez manages to get himself to full guard.
Couture with a flurry of punches that miss.
Couture trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jimenez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Couture.
Jimenez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Couture lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Couture throws a big right hand that misses.
Jimenez keeping full guard, as Couture tries to pass.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Couture shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Jimenez as he jumps to the side.

Jimenez drives through and clinches with Couture against the cage.
Jimenez is pressed up against the cage. Couture has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Jimenez down to the mat. Jimenez avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Couture. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Couture takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Jimenez is working the combinations to good effect here.
Jimenez shoots in but Couture avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Couture looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Couture tries for a takedown but Jimenez sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Couture shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Jimenez is trying to defend but Couture finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Couture thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Couture throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Couture thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Couture throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Couture looks to land a strike but Jimenez avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Randy Couture overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Couture works over Jimenez with some ground and pound from guard.
Couture with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Randy Couture dominated that second 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Couture will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Jimenez throws a one two combo.
A head kick from Jimenez lands but Couture takes it in his stride.
Couture gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Jimenez lands a lovely overhand right.
Jimenez throws a head kick that Couture semi-blocks.
Jimenez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Jimenez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Couture.
Couture doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Jimenez counters with a left and a right that stings Couture.
No luck for Couture with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Couture. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jimenez lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Jimenez cracks Couture with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Jimenez scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Jimenez gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Jimenez gets underhooks to prevent Couture's takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A body shot lands from Jimenez.
Jimenez wants to get back to striking at distance but Couture won't allow it.
Jimenez dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Jimenez gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Couture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jimenez tries to break free but Couture pushes him back against the cage.
Couture looking for a takedown.

Jimenez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jimenez slaps away a takedown attempt from Couture, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Jimenez throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Couture leaves Jimenez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Couture 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.
Couture postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Jimenez trying to control the position.
Couture scoring with some ground and pound.
Couture throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jimenez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Couture.
Jimenez wants to sweep here but Couture controlling him for the moment.
Couture loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Couture in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Jimenez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Couture.
Couture dodges the punch combination from Jimenez.
Couture doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Jimenez counters with a three punch combo that has Couture backing up. Couture nods at Jimenez to acknowledge the strikes.
Mer Jimenez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jimenez scores with a jab. Couture acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Couture shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Jimenez defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture tries to score a power double leg takedown but Jimenez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Couture somewhat.
Jimenez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Couture.
Jimenez scores with a shot to the body.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Jimenez!
Jimenez lands with a nice combination. Couture backs away looking to recover.
Jimenez misses with a two punch combination.
Couture fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Couture shoots in and bounces Jimenez off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Jimenez wants to stand and escape but Couture is having none of it.
Couture stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Jimenez swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Couture throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Couture prevents Jimenez from getting back to his feet.
Couture cracks Jimenez with a solid left hand.
Couture throwing strikes but missing.
Couture throwing strikes from guard but Jimenez blocks nicely.
Couture postures up in Jimenez's guard and throws a big left but Jimenez blocks it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Couture looks for a takedown but Jimenez sprawls well.
Couture tries for a takedown but Jimenez circles away easily
and Couture takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mer Jimenez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Jimenez 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:29
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:29
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mer Jimenez!