PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between John Pleasures (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Semtex (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Pleasures
vs
Semtex

174 cm
24
158 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

177 cm
22
184 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Pleasures!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Semtex!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, George Francis and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pleasures chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Semtex can pounce on him.
Pleasures closes the distance and clinches up with Semtex, looking for a takedown. Pleasures pushes Semtex against the cage but Semtex circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Semtex tries to close the distance and clinch but Pleasures swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pleasures checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Semtex's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Semtex duly obliges.
Pleasures misses with a takedown attempt - Semtex sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Pleasures closes this distance looking for a takedown but Semtex circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Pleasures. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Pleasures.

Semtex moves into the clinch.
Semtex lands an elbow just above Pleasures 's eye.

It looks like John Pleasures has been cut.
Semtex is trying to break the clinch but Pleasures has him pressed against the cage.
Pleasures is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Semtex pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Pleasures changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Semtex fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Semtex defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Pleasures.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pleasures shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Semtex sprawls well. Semtex wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Pleasures gets slowly back to his feet.
Semtex lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Semtex shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Pleasures defends it nicely.
Pleasures shoots and misses
and Semtex counters with a one-two to the body.
Left hook, right uppercut from Semtex.
Semtex misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pleasures misses with a takedown

and Semtex counters with a takedown into side control.
Pleasures is breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Pleasures bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

Semtex gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Semtex really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Pleasures. 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.
Pleasures being controlled here momentarily.
Semtex wants to stand up but Pleasures is controlling him.
Pleasures missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Semtex working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Pleasures.
Pleasures scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Pleasures throwing strikes from guard but Semtex blocks nicely.
Pleasures missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pleasures postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Semtex tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Semtex avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Pleasures is looking to work some ground and pound but Semtex has wrist control.
Pleasures throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pleasures accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Pleasures trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Pleasures won't allow Semtex to sweep him here.
Pleasures lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

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.
Pleasures trying to control the position from guard on top but Semtex is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pleasures postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Pleasures engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pleasures loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pleasures accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pleasures throws a big right hand that misses.
Semtex working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Pleasures.
Pleasures wants to control from the top but Semtex keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Semtex dominated that round.
The cut man is working on John Pleasures's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Semtex fails with a takedown attempt.
Pleasures shoots and misses

and Semtex counters by clinching up.
Semtex tries for a takedown but Pleasures manages to get underhooks.
Semtex is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
John Pleasures has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Semtex.
Pleasures is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Semtex gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Pleasures has Semtex pressed against the cage, preventing Semtex from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Pleasures is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Semtex gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Pleasures is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Semtex pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Semtex wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Semtex breaks from the clinch.
Pleasures dives in and grabs Semtex's left leg, looking for a takedown. Semtex pushes down on Pleasures's head and hops out.
Pleasures shoots and misses
and Semtex makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Semtex looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Semtex wants to clinch up but Pleasures keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pleasures fails with the takedown
and Semtex counters with a series of strikes. Pleasures will be more careful next time no doubt.
Semtex wants to clinch.
Pleasures misses with a takedown attempt
and Semtex counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
John Pleasures seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Semtex closes the distance and pushes Pleasures back into the cage.
Pleasures wants a takedown but no success here.

Semtex decides to pull guard.
Semtex avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Pleasures postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Semtex can do anything to dispel that myth.
Pleasures thows a big elbow that misses.
Semtex trying to keep a closed guard but Pleasures is proving a slippery customer.
Semtex has momentary wrist control but Pleasures slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pleasures throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Semtex works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Pleasures lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Pleasures is looking to work some ground and pound but Semtex has wrist control.

Pleasures stands up from Semtex's guard - Pleasures perhaps looking for a knockout.
Pleasures shoots for a double leg takedown but Semtex sprawls well. He's pushed Pleasures's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Semtex wants to clinch up but Pleasures keeps it at a distance.
Pleasures tries for a takedown but Semtex circles away easily
and Semtex counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pleasures has his takedown stuffed
and Semtex counters with a three punch combo that has Pleasures backing up. Pleasures nods at Semtex to acknowledge the strikes.
No luck for Pleasures with that takedown attempt.
Pleasures fails with the takedown
and Semtex counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Pleasures tries for a takedown but Semtex circles away easily

and Semtex counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Semtex.
Semtex wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Pleasures has him pressed against the cage.
Semtex tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Pleasures just stands there and leans against the cage.
Semtex has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Semtex manages to break the clinch.
Semtex tries to bum rush Pleasures with a series of wild strikes but Pleasures uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Pleasures checks a low kick from Semtex.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pleasures misses with a takedown attempt

and Semtex counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Pleasures!
Semtex is landing with some decent strikes but Pleasures is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Semtex punching from mount but Pleasures doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Pleasures wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Semtex.
Pleasures regains half guard.
Semtex misses with a head shot. Pleasures uses the momentum to regain guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pleasures has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Semtex showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on John Pleasures's cut.
That's time! Pleasures's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Semtex defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Pleasures.

Semtex forces Pleasures back against the cage and clinches.
Semtex wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Pleasures is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Pleasures wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Pleasures. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pleasures is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Semtex gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Pleasures drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Semtex wants to break the clinch but can't.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Semtex tries to pull guard but Pleasures holds him up against the cage and eventually Semtex drops back down to his feet.

Semtex escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pleasures looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Pleasures thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Pleasures sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Semtex defending well though.
Semtex blocking the ground and pound attempt from Pleasures.
Pleasures not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Semtex keeping control of the position.
Pleasures thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Semtex's head.
Pleasures scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
John Pleasures has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
John Semtex is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pleasures missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Semtex is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Pleasures scores with a couple of nice shots.

Pleasures is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Semtex has managed to free his arm - good work.
Pleasures is keen to just control but Semtex is a slippery customer.
Semtex blocking the ground and pound attempt from Pleasures.
Semtex is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Pleasures scores with a couple of nice shots.
Pleasures not doing much here.
Pleasures passes to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Semtex is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Pleasures scores with a couple of short elbows.
Pleasures fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Pleasures scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Semtex to see if he's OK.
Pleasures scores with a couple of short elbows.
Semtex is not content to let Pleasures control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pleasures works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

Pleasures decides to stand back up. Pleasures steps back and let's Semtex get back to his feet.
Pleasures dodges the punch combination from Semtex.
Semtex misses with a series of wild punches.
Pleasures misses with a takedown attempt
and Semtex counters with a left and a right that stings Pleasures.
A punch combination from Semtex misses.
Pleasures tries for a takedown but Semtex circles away easily
and Semtex counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Pleasures tries for a takedown but Semtex sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Pleasures showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Semtex 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Semtex!