PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between James Scorpion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Power (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for James Scorpion has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Scorpion
vs
Power

180 cm
22
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
170 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, James Scorpion!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Max Power!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Johanna Lukiainen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Scorpion tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Power swivels and escapes.
Scorpion throws a sloppy head kick and Power moves out of range easily.

Power shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Scorpion's guard.
Scorpion is trying to control the position but Power postures up.

Power thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Scorpion keeping full guard, as Power tries to pass.
Scorpion looking for a sweep. Not yet Scorpion, not yet.

Scorpion looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Scorpion 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Scorpion working for a triangle but Power defends it easily.
Power loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Power stopping the sweep attempt from Scorpion.

Power stands up from guard. Let's bang!
A kick lands to the mid section there for Power.
Scorpion is breathing heavily.
Power shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Scorpion but Scorpion pushes him off and we're back to square one.
James Scorpion seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Power looks for a takedown but Scorpion sprawls well.

Power closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Power lands in his opponent's guard.

Scorpion had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Power is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Scorpion Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Power's back instead.
Power manages to reverse the position and now he's in Scorpion's guard. Nice work there by Power.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scorpion is trying to keep Power in close.
Scorpion looking to hit a scissor sweep but Power is one step ahead there.
Scorpion striking from his own guard.
Scorpion manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Power manages to get himself to full guard.
Scorpion wants to control from the top but Power keeps moving.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Scorpion controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Scorpion trying to control the position from guard on top but Power is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Scorpion scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scorpion working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Power looking to hit a scissor sweep but Scorpion is one step ahead there.
Scorpion throws a big right hand that misses.
Power tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Scorpion throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
A punch lands to the side of Power 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Power is rocked!
Scorpion lands a slapping body shot.
Power is still on wobbly legs! Can Scorpion finish him?
Scorpion tries to close the distance and clinch but Power swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Power seems to have recovered his senses.
Power throws a head kick that misses
and Scorpion counters with a big head kick but Power shrugs it off.
Power throws a head kick that misses.
Scorpion blocks a head kick by Power.
Power swats away the attempt to clinch by Scorpion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Scorpion misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Power dodges the punch combination from Scorpion.
Power pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Power shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Scorpion pinned against the cage. Scorpion gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
James Scorpion has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Power.
Power shoots in looking for a takedown. Scorpion tries to sprawl out of it but Power keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Scorpion manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Scorpion clinches with his opponent.
Power is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Scorpion is trying to break the clinch but Power has him pressed against the cage.

Scorpion breaks from the clinch.
Power throws out a loose jab but Scorpion uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Scorpion throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Power.
Power throws a nice outside leg kick.
Power tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Scorpion throws a series of punches but Power avoids them all with ease.
Power tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Power lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Scorpion throws a lazy body kick
and Power counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
James Scorpion is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Power shoots for a double leg takedown but Scorpion sprawls well. He's pushed Power's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Scorpion misses with a head kick.

Power closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Power lands in his opponent's guard.
Power landing with the ground and pound.

Scorpion is looking for a triangle but Power pushes his legs off easily.
Power is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Scorpion pushes Power off and scrambles back to his feet.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Power crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Scorpion - the referee stops the clock and Power gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Scorpion. Power manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Scorpion tries to clinch up but Power circles away and keeps his distance.
Power fails with the takedown.

Power changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Scorpion looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Power works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Scorpion prevents Power from moving into mount.
Scorpion is letting Power control him for a moment.
Scorpion tries to improve position but can't.
Power working the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scorpion tries to bench press Power off him but Power keeps the position.

Power swings around for an armbar but Scorpion sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Power's guard.
Scorpion tries to stand but Power is controlling from the bottom.
Power 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.
Scorpion advances position into side control!

Scorpion swings around for an armbar but Power sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Scorpion's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Power drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Power jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Scorpion is looking for a triangle but Power pushes his legs off easily.
Power trying to stand up but can't free himself from Scorpion's guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Power has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Scorpion can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Power keeping moving, preventing Scorpion from controlling successfully.
Power trying to control the position.
Power keeping moving, preventing Scorpion from controlling successfully.
Power is trying to control the position but Scorpion postures up.
Scorpion throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Power keeping moving, preventing Scorpion from controlling successfully.
Scorpion is really struggling to control Power but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Power doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Scorpion counters with a head kick that drops Power!
James Scorpion has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Power.
Scorpion trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Power looking for a guillotine here but Scorpion defends easily.
Power working a defensive guard here.
Power is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Power is pressing down on Scorpion's thigh, looking to free his foot. Scorpion is holding on for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Scorpion is defending against the submission attempts here by Power.

Power is trying to work for a kimura but Scorpion is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that James Scorpion will probably get the nod.
That's time! Scorpion's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Power takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Scorpion misses with a few strikes there.
Scorpion moves in looking to clinch but Power pushes him off.
James Scorpion is winning the standup battle so far.
Power closes the distance and clinches up with Scorpion, looking for a takedown. Power pushes Scorpion against the cage but Scorpion circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Power throws a leg kick which misses Scorpion's front leg but catches the back leg as Scorpion tries to avoid it.
Scorpion throws a head kick that misses.
Power takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Scorpion throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Power decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Scorpion's guard.
Power wants to control from the top but Scorpion keeps moving.
Scorpion bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Power's guard.
Power utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Scorpion stands up and waves to Power to follow him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scorpion tries to clinch

so Power counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Power avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Scorpion working a defensive guard here.
Power working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Power loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Power stands and throws Scorpion's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Power scores with a couple of short elbows.
Scorpion gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

Power jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Scorpion manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Scorpion gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Power is looking for a kimura but Scorpion is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Power to get the leverage.
Max Power has got the better of the ground game so far.
Power sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Scorpion defending well though.
Scorpion trying to control from the bottom.
Scorpion is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Power scores with a couple of nice shots.
Scorpion taking some punishment here, with Power in his half guard.
Scorpion scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Power manages to mount him!

Power moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Scorpion has worked his arm free - good work by Scorpion!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Power tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Power has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Scorpion manages to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Power lands a nice short elbow.
Scorpion makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Scorpion.
Scorpion keeping full guard, as Power tries to pass.
Scorpion is looking to stand up but Power isn't so interested in that idea.
Power working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Scorpion's head.

Power thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Power thows a big elbow that misses.
Power preventing the sweep.
Power pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Scorpion is keeping the position for now.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Power closes the distance and clinches up with Scorpion, looking for a takedown. Power pushes Scorpion against the cage but Scorpion circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Power fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
James Scorpion has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Power.
Scorpion bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

Power closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Power landing a few strikes.
Power creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Power trying to control the action but Scorpion is working from the bottom.
Max Power has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Scorpion tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Power throwing strikes but Scorpion manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!

Scorpion decides to stand back up.
Power shoots in for a double leg but Scorpion sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Power comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Scorpion has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... James Scorpion!