PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jake Severart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael James (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.

Severart
vs
James

180 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 Sydney, Jake Severart!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Michael James!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Bruno Hogan and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Severart shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says James as he avoids it easily.
James displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Severart.
James fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from James.
Jake Severart seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Severart has closed the distance and engaged James in a clinch.

Severart lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
James wants to get back to full guard.
Severart wants to pass the guard but James is defending well.
James is looking for a sweep. Severart is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Severart perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
James trying to control here.

Severart is looking for a kimura but James is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Severart to get the leverage.
James gets full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Severart trying to control but James is working from the bottom.
James wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Severart not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Severart wants to pass the guard but James is keeping the position.
James is trying to control the position from the bottom.
James is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
James trying to control the pace.

James decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

James rushes Severart and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Severart stalling the fight.
Severart has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. James avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Severart. That's going to take a lot out of him.
James is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Severart is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Severart is working for takedown but James is calmly controlling the position for now.
Severart is breathing heavily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Severart obliges.
James is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Severart is defending well.
Severart has James pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. James manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James goes for a takedown attempt but Severart pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
James fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Severart avoids it really well and circles away.
Severart checks a low kick from James.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from James.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from James is defended easily by Severart.
James takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
James tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Severart manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Severart shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and James counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Severart's guard now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Severart is trying to keep James in close.

James avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

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

Severart is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and James defends well.
Severart is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
James chips away with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Michael James will probably get the nod.
That's time! Severart's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

James throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Severart was covering up waiting for the punch and James finishes the takedown easily into guard.
James throwing strikes but missing.
James passes Severart's left leg - he's now in half guard.
James lands strikes from half guard.
Severart might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
James trying to control from half guard but Severart is working away.

James is working for a submission of some sort.

Severart is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but James pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Severart manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
James landing with the ground and pound.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

James drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and James jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Michael James has got the better of the ground game so far.
Severart can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as James controls the pace.
Severart wants to stand up but James is controlling him.
James wants to stand but Severart has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

James 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.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Severart is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
James is in close to Severart's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Severart has his foot on James's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. James works his way back into a safe position though.

Severart throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

James got a little sloppy there for a moment and Severart has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, James has managed to get both his arms back between Severart's legs - danger averted.
Severart keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Severart's head.
James wants to pass the guard but Severart is keeping the position.

Severart is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and James defends well.
James postures up and lands a big shot to Severart's brow.
James throws a big elbow that misses.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

James gets to his feet. Severart looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
James fails with a takedown attempt.
Severart slaps away a takedown attempt from James, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Severart has James up against the cage in a clinch.
Severart drops to a knee looking for a takedown but James gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Severart is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
James fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Jake Severart has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael James.
Severart tries to score a body lock takedown but James shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael James showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. 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.

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

Severart isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. James stacks Severart on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by James!
Severart gets back to half guard.

James seems to be looking for submissions.
Severart keeping hold of James's head, controlling as best he can.
James missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Severart wants to control but James is keeping busy.

James is looking for a kimura here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

James is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Severart has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Severart keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
James with good strikes from the mount here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Severart is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
BOOM! James connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Severart really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
James working Severart over with strikes here.
James wants to control the pace but Severart is squirming around nicely.
Severart flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
James unloading with bombs!
James pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Severart is desperately trying to improve his position but James has a good base and remains in mount.

Severart defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from James.
James avoids the attempt from Severart to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James trying to control but he's not successful this time.

James has hold of an arm here, looking to extend it. He's committed to the armbar attempt here! Will he get it?! Yes! Severart is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:40 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Michael James!