PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jon Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Guntis Darzins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Jones
vs
Darzins

194 cm
21
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

181 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Dangerous GnP
Solid Muay Thai
Tends to cut

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jon Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Guntis Darzins!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Dmitry Maklakov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Jones gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Darzins to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Darzins cracks Jones with a solid left hand.
Darzins must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Jones pulls Darzins in close to prevent any damage.
Darzins stands up over Jones, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Jones working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Darzins doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Darzins manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Jones manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Jones trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Darzins is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Jones lands a big elbow.

It looks like Guntis Darzins has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Darzins?
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Darzins is working to get back to half guard.

Jones working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Darzins gets back to half guard.
Jones wants to control but Darzins is keeping him busy.
Jones passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Darzins!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Jones prevents Darzins from getting the reversal.
Jones punishing his opponent with strikes.
Jones sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Darzins is squirming around, avoiding Jones's attempts to control the action.

Jones working for a submission but Darzins is keeping him at bay.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Darzins is in real trouble.

Darzins is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Darzins staying busy and making it hard for Jones to control.
Jones keeps control of the position as Darzins tries to break free.
Darzins looks gassed!

Jones looking for the choke from the back.
Darzins prevents Jones from getting a body triangle.

Jones working for the choke.
Jones trying to control momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Darzins right now.

Jones is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Jones throwing damaging strikes from the back! Darzins could be in trouble here!

Darzins preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Jones.

Jones is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Darzins defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Darzins defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Jones's arms.
Darzins rolls, trying to escape but Jones keeps control of the position.

Jones is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Darzins tries to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jones working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Darzins looking very determined here, making life difficult for Jones.
Jones punches Darzins on the ear.
Jones keeps control of the position as Darzins tries to break free.
Jones lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Darzins hold on?!

Jones is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Darzins is defending well though. Jones let's go of the attempt for now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Jones has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Jones has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Darzins has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Jones dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Guntis Darzins's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Darzins shoots in for a takedown but Jones shows good takedown defense.
Darzins fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Jones shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Darzins manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Jones will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Jones trying to control but Darzins is working from the bottom.
Jones lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Darzins really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Jones. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Darzins looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jones is one step ahead there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones is pushing down on Darzins's leg trying to pass to half guard. Darzins is fighting to maintain full guard but Jones has managed to sneak the leg through.
Jones is keen to just control but Darzins is a slippery customer.
Jones seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Jones is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Darzins doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Jones.
Darzins is not content to let Jones control the position.
Jones works his way into side control.
Jones slows the pace down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darzins is looking for a sweep.
Jones landing strikes.
Jones is chipping away with strikes.

Jones is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Darzins looks calm but he's in trouble here. Jones gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Darzins is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Jones lets go of the hold and Darzins can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:38 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jon Jones!