PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between James James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dominick Napolitano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

James
vs
Napolitano

178 cm
23
178 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

186 cm
23
175 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

KAISER Nutrition (160!)
KAISER

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, James James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dominick Napolitano!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Dmitry Maklakov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Napolitano throws a leg kick but James checks it.
Napolitano slips under a jab.
Jab, jab by James - just one landing.

Napolitano darts in and clinches James up against the cage.
James scores with an uppercut up the middle.
James prevents a body shot from Napolitano.
A head punch on the inside from Napolitano fails to land.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Napolitano.
A nice left hand lands by James.
James is trying to pull guard but Napolitano has him pressed against the cage.

James wants the takedown. Napolitano is fighting it off but James persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Napolitano's guard against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Napolitano manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. James manages to get himself to full guard.
Napolitano preventing the sweep.

Napolitano avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
James working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Napolitano is aware though and is defending well.
Napolitano passes James's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Napolitano is trying to control the action in half guard but James is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

James actively working from the bottom here.
Napolitano lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Napolitano wants to take a breather but James is having none of it.
Napolitano drops an elbow to the side of James's head.
Napolitano wants to lay and pray for a moment but James keeps working.
James wants to get back to his feet.

James is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Napolitano pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James blocking the ground and pound attempt from Napolitano.
James is trying to get back to full guard.
Napolitano slows the pace down in half guard.
Napolitano is looking to advance position but James won't allow it.

Napolitano seems to be working for a kimura but James defends the submission attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
James trying to hold on to Napolitano's head to control him but Napolitano postures up.
James tries to kick Napolitano off but Napolitano keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Napolitano throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
James wants to control the action here but instead Napolitano manages to pass to full mount!
Napolitano is in the full mount, landing strikes.
James is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Napolitano throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for James because Napolitano loaded up on that one.
James bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Napolitano 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 is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Napolitano sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. James defending well though.
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!
James gets full guard.
Napolitano must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
James trying to keep a closed guard but Napolitano is proving a slippery customer.
James tries to land a sweep but no joy.
James bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Napolitano's guard.
Napolitano looking for a sweep. Not yet Napolitano, not yet.
James is fighting to break Napolitano's control of his arms but Napolitano is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells James's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
James trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Napolitano manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

James working for a triangle but Napolitano defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that James James will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

James throws a right and a left that Napolitano avoids nicely.
James throws a jab but it's blocked by Napolitano.
James takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
James throws a jab but it's blocked by Napolitano.
A big left from James misses.
Napolitano fails with an attempt to clinch.
James takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Napolitano moves out of range as James strikes.
Napolitano scores with a leg kick.
Napolitano fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but James is out of range.
James on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Napolitano attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
James throws a big shot that misses.
A bone on bone clash there as James blocks the leg kick.
Napolitano doesn't manage to clinch there - James circles away.
James throws the left hand but Napolitano avoids the punch easily.
Napolitano looks to clinch
and Napolitano takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Napolitano looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
James fails with the takedown.
James ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
James moves out of range of the leg kick from Napolitano.
That kick from Napolitano tenderised James's leg. James is trying to keep his angry face on.
Dominick Napolitano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Napolitano throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
James shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Napolitano as he avoids it easily.
Napolitano connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Napolitano thows a leg kick but James checks it
and James counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Napolitano throws a nice outside leg kick.
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!
James on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Napolitano. Napolitano obviously looking to wear him down.
James moves forwards but Napolitano connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Napolitano instigates a clinch.
Napolitano tried to land a shot to the body but connects with James's elbow.
Napolitano misses with a knee strike.

James manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Napolitano preventing the sweep.

James throws his legs up looking for a submission but Napolitano uses it to pass to side control.
Napolitano content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Napolitano working the head with strikes.
James is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Napolitano's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
James tries to roll over but Napolitano keeps him under control.
Napolitano is taking a breather. James says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Napolitano trying to control from James's half guard. James has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Napolitano pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. James is keeping the position for now.
James is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Napolitano manages to get himself to full guard.
Napolitano tries to land a sweep but no joy.
James throws a big elbow that misses.
James prevents Napolitano from getting back to his feet.
James connects with a couple of short punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
James working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Napolitano's head.
James in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
James postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
James with a flurry of punches that miss.
James preventing the sweep.
James pushes down on Napolitano's leg and manages to get into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dominick Napolitano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Napolitano moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
James misses with a looping left.
James looks to land a left hand but Napolitano moved out of range nicely.
James shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Napolitano throws a low kick, looking for James's leg but James calmly moves out of range.
James is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Napolitano's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Napolitano ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
James loads up on a big right hand but Napolitano slips the punch.
Napolitano cracks James with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
James shoots in looking for a takedown. Napolitano tries to sprawl out of it but James keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Napolitano manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Napolitano keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James throws an off balance right hand
and Napolitano counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Napolitano ducks under a wild hook from James.
James is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Napolitano misses with a shot to the body
and James counters with a head kick.
Napolitano tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but James was well out of range. Poor timing from Napolitano.
James takes a kick to the side of the head.
Napolitano dodges the punch combination from James.
Napolitano blocks a jab.
Napolitano scores with a hook.
James throws a good cross that connects.
Napolitano misses with a body kick.
Napolitano lands with a thumping leg kick.
James takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Napolitano walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. James checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
James tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
James is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Napolitano throws a chopping leg kick but James manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
James chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Napolitano can pounce on him.
Dominick Napolitano is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
James bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
James throws a shot from downtown. Napolitano moves away and avoids it.
A telegraphed right hand from James misses the target.
Napolitano fails in his attempt to clinch.
Napolitano showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from James.
James throws a lazy uppercut
and Napolitano counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Napolitano throws a quick inside leg kick.
James keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Napolitano throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
James fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Napolitano dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on James. That did some damage!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A solid body kick from Napolitano.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Napolitano.
Napolitano dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on James. That did some damage!
Napolitano pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Napolitano lands with a kick to the ribs.
Napolitano slips under a jab from James.
An inside leg kick lands from Napolitano.
Good leg kick by Napolitano there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James scores with a jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A head kick misses from Napolitano.

James tries to keep at a distance but Napolitano has taken the fight into the clinch.
Napolitano tries to work over James's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Napolitano lands an uppercut.
James lands with a right to the head.
James working aggressively here.
James tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Napolitano smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
James circles away from the clinch attempt
and James counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Napolitano scoring well with a low kick there.
A nice inside leg kick there by Napolitano. That's going to slow James down.
Napolitano tries to close the distance and clinch up but James swats him away and circles back towards the center.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dominick Napolitano comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Napolitano has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dominick Napolitano!
A very excited looking Dominick Napolitano rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.