PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jorge Junior (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ichi Ijima (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ijima has chosen Alphabetical #1 - Karera Musication as his entrance music. The key to victory for Jorge Junior has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Junior
vs
Ijima

177 cm
27
194 lbs
15 - 1 - 0

178 cm
24
202 lbs
13 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

****160Q Energy for $150****

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jorge Junior!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ichi Ijima!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Thiago Cunha and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ijima blocks a head kick by Junior.
Ijima with a poor takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Junior scores with a body shot.
Junior throws a right and a left that both miss.
Junior goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

It looks like Ichi Ijima has been cut.
Junior takes a swing at Ijima's ribcage but misses.

Ijima manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Junior on his heels. He'll look to pass Junior's guard now, I'm sure.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Junior has his foot on Ijima's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ijima works his way back into a safe position though.
Ijima wants to control from the top but Junior keeps moving.
Junior working a defensive guard here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ijima accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Junior is pulling down on Ijima's head to control his posture.
Junior trying to keep a closed guard but Ijima is proving a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Junior has control of Ijima's left arm, preventing Ijima from doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jorge Junior wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Ijima tries for a takedown but Junior sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Junior throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ijima shoots in looking for a takedown. Junior tries to sprawl out of it but Ijima keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Junior manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Jorge Junior has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ichi Ijima.
Ijima shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Junior counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Junior looks to throw the jab but Ijima is out of range.
Junior swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Some wild striking there from Junior.
Junior misses with a wild combination.
Junior scores with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Junior throws a hook but Ijima avoids it easily.
Ijima misses with a takedown attempt
and Junior counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ijima fails with the takedown
and Junior counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Jorge Junior seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Junior gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Junior pulls Ijima in to control the position.
Ijima trying to control the position from guard on top but Junior is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ijima makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Junior seems keen to control Ijima's posture.
Ijima loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Junior is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ijima trying to control the position from guard on top but Junior is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Junior keeping full guard, as Ijima tries to pass.
Junior is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Jorge Junior.
Ijima fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Junior avoids it really well and circles away.
Ijima will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ijima staying out of range there.
Junior throws a sloppy head kick and Ijima moves out of range easily.
Ijima shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Junior misses with a series of wild punches.
Junior lands with a slapping head kick.
Ijima is trying hard to land a takedown here. Junior sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Junior misses with a double jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Junior cracks Ijima with an open hand slap.
Ijima shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Junior pinned against the cage. Junior gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ijima fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ijima shoots in but Junior avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jorge Junior dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ichi Ijima's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Horrible takedown by Ijima or perhaps it was just good defense by Junior which made him look bad.
Junior is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ijima.
Junior misses with a two punch combination.
Junior throws a series of punches but Ijima moves out of range.
Junior throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ijima.

Ijima decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Ijima looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Junior wants to control but Ijima is keeping busy.
Ijima lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Junior is trying to get back to full guard.
Junior is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ijima is trying to control. Junior wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Junior is looking to improve his position.

Ijima is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Junior doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ijima.
Ijima prevents Junior from improving his position.
Junior keeping control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ijima trying to mount his opponent but Junior defends it.
Junior is looking to improve his position.

Junior is defending against the submission attempts here by Ijima.
The fighters are battling for position here. Junior manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Junior keeping moving, preventing Ijima from controlling successfully.
Junior looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Junior looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Ijima trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Junior looking for a sweep. Not yet Junior, not yet.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Ijima shoots in and bounces Junior off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Ijima throwing strikes but missing.
Junior is trying to keep Ijima in close.
Junior pulls Ijima in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ijima working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Junior looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Junior is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Ijima throwing strikes from guard but Junior blocks nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ijima sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Junior wants to improve his position but instead Ijima has moved into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ichi Ijima will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ichi Ijima's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ijima closes the distance and clinches up with Junior, looking for a takedown. Ijima pushes Junior against the cage but Junior circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Junior clobbers Ijima with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Ijima is trying hard to land a takedown here. Junior sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Junior tries a head kick but it misses.
Junior keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Jorge Junior has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ichi Ijima.
Junior scores with a body shot.
Junior stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Junior wants it to stay on the feet.
Ijima tries for a takedown but Junior circles away easily
letting Junior counter with a right hand.
Ijima ducks under a wild hook from Junior.
Junior lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ijima ducks under a wild hook from Junior.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Junior tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ijima was well out of range. Poor timing from Junior.
Jorge Junior is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Ijima gets the takedown into side control.
Junior is looking to reverse the position.
Ijima trying to control the action but Junior is working from the bottom.
Ijima working away.
Ijima works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Ijima in side control, throwing shots but Junior defends.
Junior can't do much from the bottom here.
Ijima looks up at the clock and then as Junior takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Ijima smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Junior dodges the ground and pound from Ijima.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ijima sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Junior is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Ijima looks up at the clock and then as Junior takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Ijima smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Junior is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Ijima off and has taken his back!
Junior is trying to stick to Ijima's back but Ijima is turning into Junior. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Junior's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Ijima.
Ijima pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Junior is keeping the position for now.
Junior looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ijima is one step ahead there.
Junior wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Junior utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ijima throwing strikes from guard but Junior blocks nicely.
Ijima trying to control but Junior is working from the bottom.
Ichi Ijima has got the better of the ground game so far.
Junior seems keen to control Ijima's posture.
Ijima is working Junior over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Ijima pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Junior is keeping the position for now.
Junior looking for a sweep. Not yet Junior, not yet.

Ijima got a little sloppy there for a moment and Junior has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ijima has managed to get both his arms back between Junior's legs - danger averted.
Ijima sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Junior's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ijima missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Ijima seems to be working for a kimura but Junior defends the submission attempt.
Ijima is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Ijima is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Ijima wants to pass the guard but Junior is keeping the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ijima is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Ijima makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ichi Ijima really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ichi Ijima's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ijima tries for a takedown but Junior circles away easily
and Junior counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Junior lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ijima's sensitive parts.
Ijima on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Ijima fails to land the takedown.
Junior misses with a double jab.
Ijima keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Junior.
Junior lands a leg kick that knocks Ijima off balance momentarily.
Junior fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ijima.
Junior misses with a wild combination.
Ijima doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Junior counters with a series of strikes. Ijima will be more careful next time no doubt.
Jorge Junior has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ichi Ijima.
Junior misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Junior.
Junior throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ijima sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ijima gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Junior counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ijima changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Junior tries to avoid it but Ijima manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Junior to the ground. Junior escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Jorge Junior is winning the standup battle so far.
Junior defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ijima.
Ijima is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Junior scores with a jab to the head.
Jorge Junior is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Junior throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ijima.
Ijima has a takedown stuffed.
Ijima takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Ijima is rocked!
Junior lands with a nice body punch.
Junior tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ijima displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Junior throws out the jab.
Junior just misses with a punch to the body.
Junior fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ijima ducks under a wild hook from Junior.
Junior cracks Ijima with an open hand slap.
Junior will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Junior misses with a leg kick.
Junior throws a body punch but Ijima moves out of range.
Junior throws a quick inside leg kick.
Junior throws a series of punches but Ijima avoids them all with ease.
A head kick misses from Junior.
Ijima shoots for a takedown but Junior saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Junior with a nice cross.
Junior throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Ijima counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Junior's guard now.
Junior is trying to control the position but Ijima postures up.
Ijima wants to control from the top but Junior keeps moving.
Ijima throwing strikes from guard but Junior blocks nicely.
Junior pulls Ijima in close to his closed guard and prevents Ijima from doing any damage or advancing position.
Junior tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Junior's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ijima under the eye.

Ijima scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
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!

Ijima is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Junior defends it well.
Ijima not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Junior wants to get back to full guard.
Ijima thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Junior's head.

Junior is defending against the submission attempts here by Ijima.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ijima throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jorge Junior had his way with Ichi Ijima in that round.
The cut man is working on Ichi Ijima's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Junior tries to work over Ijima's front leg with a kick but Ijima checks it.
Ijima shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Junior just misses with a punch to the body.
Junior fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ijima shoots in looking for a takedown but Junior manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ijima's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Junior misses with a head kick.
A jab from Junior does it's job there.
Junior connects with a leg kick. Ijima looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Junior dips to his left and cracks Ijima with an uppercut!
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Junior lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ijima has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ijima and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Ijima shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Junior working a defensive guard but Ijima manages to pass into side control anyway.
Ijima has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ijima working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Junior is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Junior's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Junior is not content to let Ijima control the position.
Junior is trying to improve his position.
Ijima working away.
Ijima wants to lay and pray for a moment but Junior keeps working.
Junior gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ijima trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Junior tries to lock up and control but Ijima gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Ijima lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Ijima lands a nice shot to the head.
Junior is looking to get to half guard.
Ijima is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ijima with shots to the head and body - Junior looks very uncomfortable down there.
Junior taking shots to the head.
Junior is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Junior gets back to half guard.
Junior trying to control from the bottom.
Ijima not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Junior is concentrating on defense, preventing Ijima from advancing position.
Ijima wants to lay and pray for a moment but Junior keeps working.
Ijima looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Ijima dives in and grabs Junior's left leg, looking for a takedown. Junior pushes down on Ijima's head and hops out.
Jorge Junior has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ichi Ijima.
Some wild striking there from Junior.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Junior misses with a hook. Ijima ducked under it nicely.
Ijima closes the distance and clinches up with Junior, looking for a takedown. Ijima pushes Junior against the cage but Junior circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ijima checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Ijima misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Junior misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ijima tries for a takedown but Junior circles away easily
enabling Junior to counter with a crisp jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Junior misses with a body shot.
Ijima fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
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!
Ijima shoots in looking for a takedown. Junior tries to sprawl out of it but Ijima keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Junior manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ichi Ijima.
I think Ijima 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 47:48
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 47:48
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ichi Ijima!
Ichi Ijima is the new middleweight champion!
Ichi Ijima decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.