PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Steve James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Harry Winston (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
Winston

185 cm
25
188 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Intelligent

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Steve James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Harry Winston!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Ackerman and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James moves in looking to clinch but Winston pushes him off.

James looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Winston is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. James is aware though and is defending well.

James postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Winston is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of James, into his guard.

James is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Winston's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's one minute gone in the round.
James not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Winston in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

James working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Winston doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Winston manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Winston controlling from the top position.

James is looking for a triangle but Winston pushes his legs off easily.
James has momentary wrist control but Winston slips an elbow through the middle.
Winston really doesn't want to stay on the ground with James. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Winston is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Winston is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Winston not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
James looking to hit a scissor sweep but Winston is one step ahead there.
James trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Winston controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
James shoots in looking for a takedown. Winston tries to sprawl out of it but James keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Winston manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Winston tries to counter by closing the distance.
James tries for a takedown but Winston sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
James dives in for a single leg takedown but Winston sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Winston follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Winston stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Winston wants it to stay on the feet.
Winston wants to counter the offense by James and move into the clinch position.
Winston slaps away a takedown attempt from James, before circling back to the center of the mat.
James shoots in for a takedown but Winston shows good takedown defense.

James drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
James is breathing heavily.
Winston is trying to improve his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Winston wants to control but James postures up.
Winston is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on James's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Harry Winston will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Winston keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
James throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Winston's waist but Winston gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing James off to one side.
Despite the aggression on Winston's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Winston displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from James.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Winston slaps away a takedown attempt from James, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Winston tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Winston checks the leg kick.
Winston throws a fast counter high kick but James manages to duck under it in time.
James tries for a takedown but Winston circles away easily

and Winston counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Winston trying to land knees to the body.

Winston ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Winston no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Winston escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. James gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Winston should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Winston working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. James doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. James manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
James looking to pass the guard.
Winston is controlling James's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Winston is looking for a triangle but James pushes his legs off easily.
James passes Winston's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Winston wants to get back to full guard.
James trying to mount his opponent but Winston defends it.
Winston is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of James's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take James's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Winston avoiding James 's attempts to control his hands.
James covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Winston controlling the positon.
Winston is landing with strikes from the back.
Winston scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
James is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Winston.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Winston lands strikes to the head.
Winston lands with a hammerfist to the side of James's head.
Winston lands shots from the back.

James is rocked!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

James is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Oh James is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Winston has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Winston is landing big shots and James is squirming looking to escape! He can't escape though and the ref jumps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:50 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Harry Winston!