PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jesse James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Borahel (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.

James
vs
Borahel

182 cm
22
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

181 cm
18
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 Rio de Janeiro, Jesse James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Borahel!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Mauricio Rocha and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Borahel drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Borahel looking to pass the guard.
James is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Borahel is controlling him.
Borahel trying to control the position from guard on top but James is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Borahel prevents James from getting back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Rafael Borahel.
James misses with a double jab

and Borahel counters by clinching up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James is trying to break the clinch but Borahel is controlling him.
James working hard to break the clinch.
James has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
James tries to break the clinch but Borahel is controlling the position.
Borahel wants a takedown but no success here.
James wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Borahel has him pressed against the cage.
James working hard to break the clinch.

Borahel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
James works over Borahel's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Rafael Borahel has been cut.
Borahel avoids a punch combination nicely.
Borahel shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
James throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Borahel.
James misses with a series of wild punches.
Borahel shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts James as he jumps to the side.
Jesse James has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Borahel.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Borahel slips a jab and a cross from James.
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!
Borahel shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
James throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
James jabs at Borahel's body.

Borahel gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Borahel manages to break the clinch.

Borahel closes the distance and clinches.
A frustrated look appears on James's face as he tries to break the clinch.
James wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Borahel has him pressed against the cage.

James breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
James throws a right and a left that Borahel avoids nicely.
James lands a jab to the nose.
James tries to bum rush Borahel with a series of wild strikes but Borahel uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Borahel is on the wrong end of a nice combination from James.
James is breathing heavily.
James looks to land a combination but Borahel avoids it well.
James misses with a series of wild punches.
Borahel is looking to clinch but James is avoiding it.
James throws a hook to the side of Borahel's head but Borahel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Borahel clinches up with James and pushes him back against the cage.
James has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A frustrated look appears on James's face as he tries to break the clinch.
James wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Borahel lands with a short shot to the head.
James wants to get back to striking at distance but Borahel won't allow it.
Borahel prevents James from breaking the clinch.

Borahel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James tries to bum rush Borahel with a series of wild strikes but Borahel uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Borahel drops his hands momentarily and James takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Borahel tries to clinch there but James circles away.
James swings for the body but Borahel moves out of range.
A punch combination from James misses.
Borahel misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Borahel closes this distance looking for a takedown but James circles away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
No joy there for James, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Some wild striking there from Borahel.
Borahel shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says James as he avoids it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A combination from James does no damage.
Jesse James is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Borahel instigates a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse James dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rafael Borahel's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

James misses with a jab, cross combination.
James looks to land a combination but Borahel avoids it well.
Borahel swings for the body but James moves out of range.
Borahel showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from James.
Borahel tries to score a power double leg takedown but James sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Borahel somewhat.
Jesse James is winning the standup battle so far.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Borahel, right into the meat.
James swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Borahel looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
James misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Borahel has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from James finds it's way round the side to connect with Borahel's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Borahel shoots in for a takedown but James shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Jesse James has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Borahel.
Sloppy strikes from James. Those never looked like landing.
Borahel is trying hard to land a takedown here. James sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Borahel misses with a takedown attempt - James sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
James throws a right and a left that Borahel avoids nicely.
Jesse James seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A combination from James does no damage.
James tries to bum rush Borahel with a series of wild strikes but Borahel uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
James rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Borahel moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A combination from James does no damage.

Borahel takes the fight into the clinch.
James is pressed up against the cage. Borahel has hold of a leg and is looking to drag James down to the mat. James avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
James misses with a two punch combination.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Borahel shoots in but James avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A combination from James does no damage.
James throws a series of punches but Borahel moves out of range.
Borahel feints and then cracks James's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow James down.
James looks to land a combination but Borahel avoids it well.
Borahel shoots in looking for a takedown. James tries to sprawl out of it but Borahel keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. James manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
James lands a jab-cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Borahel takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Borahel showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from James.
Borahel fails with an attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Borahel looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
James throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Borahel shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as James sprawls well. James wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Borahel gets slowly back to his feet.
James swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Borahel changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. James tries to avoid it but Borahel manages to keep hold of a leg and drag James to the ground. James escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
James throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
James lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Borahel circles away quickly and effectively.
Some wild striking there from James.
The fight stays on the outside here - Borahel looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Some wild striking there from James.
Borahel throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
James pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Borahel back to the cage. James follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
James throws a right and a left that both miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse James dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rafael Borahel's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from Borahel. James does a little dance to reset his feet.
James will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Borahel closes the distance and clinches up with James, looking for a takedown. Borahel pushes James against the cage but James circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Borahel shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts James as he jumps to the side.
Borahel shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
James throws a good cross that connects.
A punch combination from James misses.
James rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Borahel moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
James throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Borahel.
No luck for Borahel with that takedown attempt.
Jesse James has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Borahel.
James scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James throws a series of punches but Borahel avoids them all with ease.
Borahel looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? James is fending him off so far but Borahel persists. Nope, James circles away and we're back to standing.
James throws a combination that misses
and Borahel counters with a nice leg kick.
Jesse James is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
James defending well as Borahel loads up on a big left hand.
A jab from James finds it's way through Borahel's defenses.
The fighters circle momentarily. James darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Borahel avoids a punch combination nicely.
Borahel lands a head kick!
Borahel shoots in looking for a takedown but James manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Borahel's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
James throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and James duly obliges.
Borahel shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts James as he jumps to the side.
James looks to land a combination but Borahel avoids it well.
James misses with a wild combination.
Borahel shoots in for a takedown but James shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from James. No joy for Borahel on that attempt.
Danga de danga de dang - James scores with a four punch combination!
James scores with a jab.
James throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Borahel.
Borahel shoots for a takedown but James saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

James gets tackled into the cage by Borahel. Borahel maintains the clinch.
Borahel keeps the fight in the clinch, despite James's efforts to push away.
Borahel is looking to take this one to the mat.
Borahel tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. James smiles and moves away.
James with a hook.
James lands a jab to the head.
A decent looking cross lands there for James.
James throws a combination. Borahel tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
James misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and James wants it to stay on the feet.
James lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Borahel circles away quickly and effectively.
Borahel showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from James.

Borahel clinches with his opponent.
Borahel keeps control of James as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Borahel keeps the fight in the clinch, despite James's efforts to push away.
James wants to break the clinch but can't.

Borahel successfully pulls guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

James stands and steps away. Borahel gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
James throws a right hand that Borahel ducks under and follows up with a left that Borahel also avoids with ease.
Rafael Borahel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jesse James is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
James leaves Borahel with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jesse James showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for James, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:27

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