PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rocha Freire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Freire kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Fuel - Won't Back Down. James Jones has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Rocha Freire's chin.

Freire
vs
Jones

180 cm
25
187 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

186 cm
19
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Big heart

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rocha Freire!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Jones!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Sam Margolis and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Freire scores with a kick to the midsection.
Jones has his takedown stuffed
and Freire counters with a two punch combo.
Jones fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Freire avoids it really well and circles away.
Jones has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Freire.
Sloppy strikes from Freire. Those never looked like landing.
Jones fails with the takedown.
Rocha Freire has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Jones.
Freire throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Jones's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Freire throws a series of punches but Jones moves out of range.
Jones tries to clinch up.
Jones fails to land the takedown.
Jones avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freire throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jones fails with a takedown attempt.
Jones fails with the takedown.
Freire misses with a few strikes there.
Freire is breathing heavily.
Jones shoots in but no luck this time.
A little feinted left hand from Freire on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Freire gets caught flat footed, as Jones shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Jones connects with a couple of short punches.

Freire is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Jones presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Jones keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Freire's efforts to push away.
Jones drops down looking for an ankle pick but Freire pulls his leg out and moves away.
Jones shoots in but no luck this time.
We've been told by Freire's head coaches at Soul Supremacy Rio that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Jones closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Freire to the mat! Freire manages to get full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jones throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Freire works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jones is looking to stand up but Freire won't let him.
Jones missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Jones postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Freire pushes Jones off and scrambles back to his feet.
Freire thuds his shin into the meat of Jones's side.
Some wild striking there from Freire.
Freire takes a swing at Jones's ribcage but misses.
Jones fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Freire stuffs the takedown.
Freire circles away from the clinch attempt.
Freire is looking for a counter combo.
Nice sprawl there from Freire as Jones shoots in.
Jones moves away from the strike by Freire.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones shoots in looking for a takedown but Freire manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Jones's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Jones slips a jab and a cross from Freire.

Jones darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Freire misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Jones lands strikes from half guard.
Jones is nestled in close to Freire, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Jones slips a nice elbow through Freire's hands, connecting with Freire's forehead.
Jones stops Freire from getting back to his feet.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Jones connects with a nice short shot to Freire's temple.
Freire has hold of Jones's hands but Jones slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Jones winds up and cracks Freire with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Freire is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Jones scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones stops Freire from getting back to his feet.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Jones connects with a nice short shot to Freire's temple.
Freire tries to kick Jones off but Jones keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Jones slips a nice elbow through Freire's hands, connecting with Freire's forehead.
Freire taking some punishment here, with Jones in his half guard.
Freire is trying to stand.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Jones connects with a nice short shot to Freire's temple.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Freire wants to get back to his feet.
Freire tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Jones lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Freire on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Freire tries to get out of the position.
Jones is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Jones looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Freire with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Jones lands with a punch from half guard.
Jones really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Freire. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Jones scoring with strikes to the body and head.
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 Rocha Freire will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Jones closes the distance and clinches up with Freire, looking for a takedown. Jones pushes Freire against the cage but Freire circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Freire lands with a kick to the temple. Jones shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Freire stuffs the takedown attempt from Jones. Jones gets slowly back to his feet.
Freire appears to be looking for a big counter.
Jones looks for a takedown but Freire sprawls well.
Freire went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Rocha Freire has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Jones.
Jones fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A little feinted left hand from Freire on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Jones slips a straight right by Freire.
Freire throws a jab but it's blocked by Jones.
Jones shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Freire defends it nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones moves out of range of the strikes.
Jones shoots in looking for a takedown but Freire manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Jones's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Jones shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Freire defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones wants to clinch.
Freire thinks about countering with a body kick.
Jones dives in for a single leg takedown but Freire sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Freire throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Jones moves into range and clinches up with Freire.
Jones is trying to drag Freire to the mat but Freire just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Freire is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Jones can do to turn this around?
Jones has Freire pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Freire manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Freire tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Freire is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones can't get the takedown.

Freire breaks the clinch.

Jones closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Freire's guard.
Jones landing with the ground and pound.

Freire pushes Jones off and scrambles back to his feet.
Jones is looking to clinch but Freire is avoiding it.
Freire stuffs the takedown.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
No joy there for Freire, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Freire stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Freire wants it to stay on the feet.
James Jones seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Freire keeps the fight on the outside.
Freire appears to be looking for a big counter.
Jones shoots in for a double leg but Freire sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rocha Freire is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jones closes this distance looking for a takedown but Freire circles away.
Freire slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Freire is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Jones steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Freire. That one must have hurt.
Freire throws a hook but Jones avoids it easily.
Freire stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Freire wants it to stay on the feet.
Jones shoots in for a takedown but Freire shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Freire throws a right and a left that Jones avoids nicely.
Jones looks for a takedown but Freire sprawls well.
Jones shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Freire but Freire pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Freire has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Crunch! Freire slams his shin into Jones's torso.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Freire leaves Jones with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
It looked like Freire wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Jones shoots in but no luck this time.
Freire misses with the combination.
Jones shoots in but Freire avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Danga de danga de dang - Freire scores with a four punch combination!
Jones tries to score a power double leg takedown but Freire sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jones somewhat.
Jones closes the distance and clinches up with Freire, looking for a takedown. Jones pushes Freire against the cage but Freire circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jones misses with a takedown
and Freire counters with a straight right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocha Freire dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Jones fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Jones shoots for a takedown but Freire saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Freire misses with a two punch combination.
Jones shoots in but Freire avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rocha Freire has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Jones.
Jones shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Freire pinned against the cage. Freire gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Freire is looking to counter punch.
Jones slips a straight right by Freire.
Jones looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones tries to score a power double leg takedown but Freire sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jones somewhat.
Freire appears to be looking for a big counter.
Freire cracks the inside of Jones's front leg.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones closes this distance looking for a takedown but Freire circles away.
Jones closes the distance and clinches up with Freire, looking for a takedown. Jones pushes Freire against the cage but Freire circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Jones shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Freire pinned against the cage. Freire gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A slapping body kick lands there for Freire.
Freire throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Jones.
Jones fails with the takedown.
Freire moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Freire defends well and Jones ends up having to push Freire into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Jones closes the distance and clinches up with Freire, looking for a takedown. Jones pushes Freire against the cage but Freire circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Freire misses with the combination.
A slapping body kick lands there for Freire.
James Jones has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Freire misses with a body kick.
Jones shoots in but no luck this time.
Jones shoots in looking for a takedown. Freire tries to sprawl out of it but Jones keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Freire manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Freire defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jones.
Freire throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Jones goes for a double leg but Freire avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Freire continues to drive forward.
Rocha Freire is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones misses the body punch
and Freire counters with a one-two to the body.
Jones takes a kick to the side of the head.
Jones avoids a punch combination nicely.

Jones decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Freire wants to get back to his feet.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Jones lands a nice short elbow.
Freire pushes Jones off looking to stand but Jones dives back in and keeps control.
Freire missing with punches from the bottom.
Jones lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Freire slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Jones must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Jones works over Freire with some ground and pound from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Freire lands a couple of shots from the bottom.
Jones stops Freire from standing up.
Jones is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
James Jones has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jones working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Freire's head.
Freire wants to stand but Jones is controlling the position.
Rocha Freire is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Freire trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Jones tries to stand but Freire is controlling from the bottom.
Jones lands a couple of digs.

Jones thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rocha Freire showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Freire, 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rocha Freire!
A relieved looking Rocha Freire thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.