PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Link James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bob Heirich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Link James has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

James
vs
Heirich

188 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
201 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
KO power

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Intelligent

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Link James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bob Heirich!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, John Mangel and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Heirich closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
James trying to control from the bottom.

Heirich is sneakily working for an arm triangle but James sees it coming and defends easily.
James is trying to escape back to his feet but Heirich uses the scramble to pass into side control.
James is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Heirich seems to be looking for submissions.
James is looking to escape.

Heirich escapes and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Heirich shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Heirich passes into side control, despite James's attempt to control the position.

Heirich working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
James struggling a bit here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Heirich swings around for an armbar but James sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Heirich's guard.
Heirich manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. James manages to get himself to full guard.
James is pulling down on Heirich's head to control his posture.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Heirich 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 keep a closed guard but Heirich is proving a slippery customer.
James throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
James wants to get back to his feet but Heirich is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James keeping moving, preventing Heirich from controlling successfully.
James wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Heirich is now in half guard.
Heirich perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Heirich is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
James knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Heirich on the ground.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Heirich seems to be looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Heirich 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.

James tries to sprawl but Heirich drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Heirich is working for a submission of some sort.

Heirich is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Heirich is just content to waste time from the top position. James takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Heirich thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
James keeping moving, preventing Heirich from controlling successfully.
James working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Heirich drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Heirich jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Heirich is stalling in the full guard.
James is trying to keep Heirich in close.
Heirich pushing down on James's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Heirich is sneakily working for an arm triangle but James sees it coming and defends easily.

Heirich seems to be looking for submissions.

Heirich 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. Heirich eventually gives up the hold.

Heirich is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, James has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Heirich prevents James from improving his position.

Heirich wants to work for an arm triangle but James is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
James pushes Heirich off looking to stand but Heirich dives back in and keeps control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Heirich showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back 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 looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
James fails with the takedown

and Heirich counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Heirich not doing much here.

Heirich seems to be looking for submissions.
James is in trouble now - Heirich has advanced to mount!

Heirich goes for an armbar but James turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from James.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Heirich can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Heirich's head.
James looking to sit in guard and control but Heirich gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Heirich passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James tries to escape but Heirich is in control.

Heirich is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but James is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Heirich working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Heirich is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, James has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James pushes Heirich away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Heirich gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Heirich gets to mount! James was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Heirich feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Heirich advances to half guard.
Heirich trying to control the action but James is working from the bottom.
James trying to control from the bottom.

Heirich is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Heirich is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. James doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Heirich.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bob Heirich comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Heirich has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bob Heirich!