PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between John Handsoncock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James has chosen W32.Mydoom.AU@mm as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Handsoncock
vs
James

175 cm
28
158 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

185 cm
23
155 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Handsoncock!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Richard James!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Thiago Cunha and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James misses with a takedown attempt
and Handsoncock counters with a lovely straight right hand!
James blocks a head kick by Handsoncock.
James slips a jab from Handsoncock.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Handsoncock.
James tries to improve position but can't.
James manages to work his way to half guard, despite Handsoncock's best efforts.
Handsoncock scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
James regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Handsoncock.
Handsoncock passes into half guard.
Handsoncock throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
James is trying to get back to full guard.

James looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Handsoncock trying to mount his opponent but James defends it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Handsoncock slips a nice elbow through James's hands, connecting with James's forehead.
James tries to roll over but Handsoncock keeps him under control.
Handsoncock seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but James does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

James looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Handsoncock throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
James is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Handsoncock wants to take a breather but James is having none of it.
Handsoncock not landing any meaningful shots this time.

James is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Handsoncock pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
James manages to get to full guard.
Handsoncock tries to free his leg and advance position but James is retaining full guard.
James preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
James trying to keep a closed guard but Handsoncock is proving a slippery customer.
James has momentary wrist control but Handsoncock slips an elbow through the middle.
Handsoncock working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
James looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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.
Handsoncock tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and James avoids it.
Handsoncock tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. James smiles and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
James closes the distance and clinches up with Handsoncock, looking for a takedown. James pushes Handsoncock against the cage but Handsoncock circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
James tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Handsoncock lands a head kick. James smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Handsoncock fails with an attempt to clinch.
James misses with a takedown attempt
and Handsoncock counters with a head kick.
John Handsoncock has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard James.
James looks gassed!
Handsoncock scores with a nice right hand.
James keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Handsoncock scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
A good leg kick by Handsoncock.
Some wild striking there from Handsoncock.
Handsoncock buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Handsoncock lands a two punch combo.
Nice sprawl there from James as Handsoncock shoots in.
Handsoncock pivots, looking for a leg kick but James is out of range and Handsoncock settles back down.
Handsoncock tries to clinch but James moves out of range.
James throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A chopping leg kick lands by Handsoncock.
James swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and James takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Handsoncock defends well against a solid takedown attempt from James.
James blocks a head kick by Handsoncock.
Handsoncock throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and James counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
James wants to control from the top but Handsoncock keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Handsoncock lands a two punch combo.
James digs a good body shot into Handsoncock's ribs.
Nice takedown defense from James. No joy for Handsoncock on that attempt.

Handsoncock gets a takedown into half guard.
James gets back to full guard.
James working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Handsoncock.
James working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Handsoncock.
James bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Handsoncock's guard.
James's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Handsoncock keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Handsoncock wants to stand but James is controlling the position.
James trying to control but Handsoncock is working from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

James thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Handsoncock wriggles free and stands up.

James closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - James lands in his opponent's guard.
James content to stall in guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James looking to pass the guard.
James wants to control from the top but Handsoncock keeps moving.
James slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

James has gone for a leg lock! Handsoncock slips out almost immediately though and dives into James's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Handsoncock trying to control but James is working from the bottom.
James wants to sweep but no luck.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Handsoncock accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Handsoncock has gone for a leg lock! James slips out almost immediately though and dives into Handsoncock's guard.
Handsoncock is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
James sitting in guard here, content to control.
James stops Handsoncock from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
James sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Handsoncock's guard.

James 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.
Handsoncock is not content to let James control the position.
Handsoncock pushes James off looking to stand but James dives back in and keeps control.
James trying to control the action but Handsoncock is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard James showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

James throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Handsoncock was covering up waiting for the punch and James finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Handsoncock 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 presses Handsoncock against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
James gets underhooks to prevent Handsoncock's takedown attempt.

James jumps guard and drags Handsoncock to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Handsoncock throws a strike but James rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Handsoncock keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James stays in close to Handsoncock's body and controls the position.
James pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Handsoncock is keeping the position for now.
Handsoncock keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.

Handsoncock wriggles free and stands up.
Handsoncock misses with a head kick.
James shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Handsoncock but Handsoncock pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Handsoncock closes the distance but James moves to the side
and James counters with a right hand to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Handsoncock's hands.
John Handsoncock seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James swinging wildly here.
James fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
James shoots in looking for a takedown but Handsoncock manages to keep the fight standing, pushing James's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Handsoncock misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from James.
Handsoncock closes the distance but James moves to the side
and James makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
James throws a poor cross that misses

and Handsoncock counters with a takedown into side control.

Handsoncock is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but James is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Handsoncock prevents James from escaping the position.
Richard James has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Handsoncock's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
James wants to control but Handsoncock is keeping busy.
James wants to improve his position but Handsoncock is controlling well.

Handsoncock is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so James is just riding it out for now. Handsoncock eventually gives up the hold.
Handsoncock throws a strike but James avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

James has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Handsoncock can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

James drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Handsoncock manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now James has Handsoncock in his guard.

James is looking for a triangle but Handsoncock pushes his legs off easily.
Handsoncock trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Richard James.
I think James 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Richard James!