PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gabriel Fenili (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darren James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Fenili
vs
James

168 cm
22
162 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

178 cm
24
165 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gabriel Fenili!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Darren James!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Vladimir Khabensky and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fenili fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with James, pushing him back against the cage.
Fenili just leaning against James, taking a breather.

Fenili breaks from the clinch.
Fenili fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and James has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Fenili closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
James is looking to escape.
James is looking to improve his position.

Fenili is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fenili working James over with strikes.

Fenili is working for a kimura but James is defending it quite comfortably.
James is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fenili wants to pass the guard but James is defending well.
James tries to roll over but Fenili keeps him under control.

James looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
James tries to kick Fenili off but Fenili keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

James is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Fenili pulls his head out easily.
Fenili trying to pass the guard but James defending well.
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.

Fenili is sneakily working for an arm triangle but James sees it coming and defends easily.
James is looking to improve his position.

James looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
James makes his way to full guard. A much better position for James.
Fenili loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
James keeping full guard, as Fenili tries to pass.
James keeping moving, preventing Fenili from controlling successfully.
James 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.
Fenili wants to pass the guard but James is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fenili stopping the sweep attempt from James.
Fenili showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Gabriel Fenili just wasn't active enough.

Fenili pushes James up against the cage in a clinch.

Fenili escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fenili fails in his attempt to clinch.

Fenili shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
James wants to control the position but Fenili says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Fenili is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
James is looking for a sweep. Fenili is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
James makes his way to full guard. A much better position for James.
James looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Fenili puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Fenili moves into full mount! James won't be happy about that!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
James can't escape the position.

Fenili stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

A momentary lapse in concentration from James enables Fenili to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. James manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
James keeping moving, preventing Fenili from controlling successfully.

James throws his legs up looking for a submission but Fenili uses it to pass to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gabriel Fenili dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Fenili looks to land a combination but James avoids it well.

Fenili drives through with a takedown into James's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Fenili slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Fenili decides to stand back up. Fenili steps back and let's James get back to his feet.

Fenili fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. James sprawls well initially but Fenili persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Fenili passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for James!
James is trying desperately to improve position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fenili takes James's back.

Fenili tightening his grip on James, looking for the choke.

Fenili is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. James defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Fenili is trying to stick to James's back but James is turning into Fenili. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Fenili's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by James.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Fenili is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Fenili has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but James can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Fenili not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fenili will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Fenili looking for submissions from the bottom but instead James passes into half guard.

Fenili actively working from the bottom here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fenili is doing well to control the position and prevent James from advancing to side control.

James is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Fenili sees it coming and defends easily.
Gabriel Fenili overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fenili tries to roll over but James keeps him under control.

James is looking for a kimura but Fenili is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for James to get the leverage.

Fenili is defending against the submission attempts here by James.
Fenili trying to control here.
James is looking to stall here but Fenili recovers full guard.
James pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fenili is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fenili pulls James in close to prevent any damage.
Fenili wants to sweep but no luck.
James works a leg free and moves into half guard.
James is keen to just control but Fenili is a slippery customer.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fenili keeps control of the position for the meantime.
James uses his free foot to push down on Fenili's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Fenili.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gabriel Fenili dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Fenili fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. James sprawls well initially but Fenili persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
James wants to control but Fenili is keeping busy.
James tries to roll over but Fenili keeps him under control.

Fenili is looking for a kimura but James is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Fenili to get the leverage.

Fenili stands up from half guard.

Fenili closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into James's guard.
Fenili trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

James is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Fenili frees his head nicely. Oh but James has switched to an armbar! Fenili is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Darren James!