PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tien Jaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aristos Ioannidis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ioannidis comes into a darkened arena with his song building. If I Can't - 50 Cent kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! This should be fireworks!

Jaa
vs
Ioannidis

190 cm
22
190 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

185 cm
19
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tien Jaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Aristos Ioannidis!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Steve Smith and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jaa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Ioannidis manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ioannidis fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ioannidis throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Jaa moves in looking to clinch but Ioannidis pushes him off.
Ioannidis tries to clinch there but Jaa circles away.
Ioannidis tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Jaa manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jaa tries to clinch there but Ioannidis circles away.
Jaa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ioannidis paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ioannidis throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Jaa's waist but Jaa gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ioannidis off to one side.
Ioannidis keeps the fight on the outside.
Jaa tries to clinch up.
Jaa wants to clinch but Ioannidis slips to the side
and Ioannidis counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Jaa tries to clinch but Ioannidis moves away
and Ioannidis counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Jaa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Ioannidis manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jaa tries to clinch but Ioannidis moves out of range.
Ioannidis takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Jaa avoids the head kick by Ioannidis.
Ioannidis changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jaa tries to avoid it but Ioannidis manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jaa to the ground. Jaa escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tien Jaa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aristos Ioannidis.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jaa has closed the distance and engaged Ioannidis in a clinch.
Jaa lands a nice knee to the body.
Jaa stalling against the cage.
Ioannidis tries for a takedown but Jaa manages to get underhooks.
Ioannidis can't break the clinch.
Jaa scores a nice knee to the body.
Ioannidis is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Jaa pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Jaa lands a knee to the body.
Jaa crunches a lovely knee into Ioannidis's ribcage.
Ioannidis looks gassed!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Knees to the body from Jaa.
Ioannidis takes a knee to the side of the body.
Jaa lands a knee to the body.
Jaa utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Jaa obliges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jaa content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Jaa putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ioannidis in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Jaa crunches a lovely knee into Ioannidis's ribcage.
Jaa stalling.
Knees in the clinch landing for Jaa.
Jaa utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Jaa landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Jaa lands a good knee to the midsection. Ioannidis won't want to take too many of those.
Jaa unloads a knee to the mid-section. Ioannidis lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Jaa lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Aristos Ioannidis has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ioannidis takes a knee to the side of the body.
Jaa working Ioannidis over with knees to the body.
Jaa unloads a knee to the mid-section. Ioannidis lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Jaa taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ioannidis wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ioannidis being controlled against the cage.
Jaa scores with a knee to the head.
Jaa with a knee to the head.
Jaa lands a good knee to the midsection. Ioannidis won't want to take too many of those.
Jaa with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Jaa.
Jaa crunches a lovely knee into Ioannidis's ribcage.
Jaa utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A knee to the head by Jaa.
Jaa stalling in the clinch.
Jaa scores with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Jaa.
Jaa lands a good knee to the midsection. Ioannidis won't want to take too many of those.
Jaa putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ioannidis in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jaa scores with a knee to the head.
Jaa using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Jaa obliges.
Knees in the clinch landing for Jaa.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tien Jaa dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aristos Ioannidis's cut.
That's time! Jaa's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Jaa gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Jaa is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Jaa gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Jaa unloads a knee to the mid-section. Ioannidis lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Jaa has Ioannidis pressed against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Tien Jaa.
Jaa displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ioannidis.
Jaa tries to clinch up

and Ioannidis counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Jaa's guard now.
Ioannidis 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!
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Jaa has a closed guard, preventing Ioannidis from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ioannidis wants to pass the guard but Jaa is keeping the position.
Ioannidis wants to control from the top but Jaa keeps moving.

Aristos Ioannidis has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Ioannidis shoots in looking for a takedown. Jaa tries to sprawl out of it but Ioannidis keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Jaa manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Jaa closes the distance but Ioannidis moves to the side

and Ioannidis counters with a nice double leg into side control. Jaa won't be happy with that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jaa can't do much from the bottom here.
Jaa is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Ioannidis has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Sloppy strikes there by Ioannidis.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ioannidis swings around for an armbar but Jaa sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Ioannidis's guard.
Jaa working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jaa in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ioannidis keeping full guard, as Jaa tries to pass.
Jaa knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ioannidis on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ioannidis has a closed guard, preventing Jaa from standing up.
Jaa throws an elbow that misses. Ioannidis uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Jaa's guard. Nice move by Ioannidis!
Ioannidis postures up in Jaa's guard and throws a big left but Jaa blocks it.
Ioannidis wanted to stand there but Jaa had control of the position.
Jaa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ioannidis can do to turn this around?
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Jaa seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tien Jaa has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Ioannidis will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Tien Jaa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jaa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ioannidis paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ioannidis changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jaa tries to avoid it but Ioannidis manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jaa to the ground. Jaa escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tien Jaa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aristos Ioannidis.
Jaa is looking to clinch.
Jaa tries to clinch up.

Jaa moves into the clinch.
Ioannidis tries for a takedown but Jaa manages to get underhooks.
Jaa has Ioannidis pressed against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jaa landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Ioannidis is trying to pull guard but Jaa turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Ioannidis being controlled against the cage.
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 Tien Jaa will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Aristos Ioannidis's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Ioannidis lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Jaa circles away quickly and effectively.
Jaa dodges the punch combination from Ioannidis.
Jaa tries to clinch but Ioannidis is having none of it.
Ioannidis misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Jaa is looking to clinch but Ioannidis is avoiding it.
Ioannidis shoots in but no luck this time.
Ioannidis wants to clinch up but Jaa keeps it at a distance.
Jaa tries to close the distance and clinch but Ioannidis swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ioannidis shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Jaa as he avoids it easily.
Tien Jaa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aristos Ioannidis.
Jaa is looking to clinch.
Ioannidis takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jaa tries to clinch but Ioannidis moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ioannidis misses with a jab, cross combination.
Jaa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ioannidis tries a head kick but it misses.
Jaa moves in looking to clinch but Ioannidis pushes him off.

Jaa clinches with his opponent.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Jaa using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Jaa has Ioannidis pushed against the cage.
Jaa lands a good knee to the midsection. Ioannidis won't want to take too many of those.
Jaa taking a breather.
Jaa landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ioannidis wants a takedown but no success here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Jaa.
Jaa's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Jaa scores with a knee to the head.
Jaa scores with a knee to the head.
Ioannidis misses with a knee strike.
Jaa lands a nice knee to the body.
Jaa working Ioannidis over with knees to the body.
Jaa unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Jaa with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Jaa with a knee to the head.
Jaa slows down the pace here.
Jaa utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jaa leaning against his opponent.
Jaa unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Ioannidis tries to score a body lock takedown but Jaa shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Jaa with a knee to the head.
Ioannidis tries to pull guard but Jaa forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Jaa lands a knee to the head.
Ioannidis jumps guard but Jaa stands there with Ioannidis around his waist. Ioannidis gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Jaa obliges.
Jaa unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Jaa will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Ioannidis up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
A knee to the head by Jaa.
Knees to the body from Jaa.
Jaa connects with a knee to the head.
Jaa scores a nice knee to the body.
Jaa lands a knee to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jaa landing knees to the head.
Jaa utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Aristos Ioannidis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tien Jaa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Jaa lands a good knee to the midsection. Ioannidis won't want to take too many of those.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tien Jaa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Jaa, 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tien Jaa!
After winning the bout, Tien Jaa thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.