PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Josh Scales (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Diego Afro Samurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Scales
vs
Afro Samurai

190 cm
20
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

188 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Prefers ground

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Josh Scales!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Diego Afro Samurai!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Alan Glass and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Afro Samurai stuffs the takedown.
Scales slips a jab and a cross from Afro Samurai.
Afro Samurai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Scales fails in his attempt to clinch.
Scales drops Afro Samurai with a right and a left! Scales comes rushing in but Afro Samurai regains his composure and manages to keep Scales in guard.

Afro Samurai is rocked!

It looks like Diego Afro Samurai has been cut.
Scales not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Afro Samurai is still in real trouble! Can Scales finish him?
Scales wants to stand but Afro Samurai is controlling his posture from full guard.
Scales not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Scales is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Afro Samurai seems to have recovered his senses.
Scales trying to control but Afro Samurai is working from the bottom.
Afro Samurai looking to hit a scissor sweep but Scales is one step ahead there.
Afro Samurai pulls Scales in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Afro Samurai's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Afro Samurai looking to hit a scissor sweep but Scales is one step ahead there.
Afro Samurai has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Despite being in the dominant position, Diego Afro Samurai just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Afro Samurai swinging wilding here.
Scales shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Afro Samurai as he jumps to the side.
No joy there for Afro Samurai, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Afro Samurai slips a jab from Scales.
Afro Samurai circles away from the clinch attempt.
Afro Samurai lands with an overhand left.
Scales swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Scales dodges the punch combination from Afro Samurai.
Afro Samurai looks gassed!
Afro Samurai throws a jab when Scales was well out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Afro Samurai as Scales shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Scales. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Scales fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Afro Samurai misses with a double jab.
Afro Samurai fails to land with a series of punches.
Afro Samurai throws a one two combo.
Scales wants to clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Scales changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Afro Samurai tries to avoid it but Scales manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Afro Samurai to the ground. Afro Samurai escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Afro Samurai looks to throw the jab but Scales is out of range.
Afro Samurai circles away from the clinch attempt.
Scales throws a right and a left that Afro Samurai avoids nicely.
Scales will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Afro Samurai falls off balance throwing a combination
and Scales counters with a one-two to the body.
Scales fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Afro Samurai throws a left and a right that both miss
and Scales counters with a three punch combo that has Afro Samurai backing up. Afro Samurai nods at Scales to acknowledge the strikes.
Afro Samurai stuffs the takedown attempt from Scales. Scales gets slowly back to his feet.
Afro Samurai looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Scales throws a right and a left that both miss.
Afro Samurai's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Afro Samurai duly obliges.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Afro Samurai misses with a two punch combination.
Afro Samurai keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Scales looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Afro Samurai is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Scales looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Afro Samurai closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Afro Samurai scores with the left hand. Scales knows he should have avoided that one.
Scales fails with an attempt to clinch.

Scales shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Afro Samurai pulls Scales in close to prevent any damage.
Afro Samurai tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Scales dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Diego Afro Samurai's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Scales clinches with his opponent.
Afro Samurai has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Scales is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Afro Samurai changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Scales fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Scales swinging wilding here.
Afro Samurai throws a left and a right that both miss
and Scales counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Scales fails in his attempt to clinch.
Scales misses with a two punch combination.
Scales misses with a two punch combination.
Scales really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Scales swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Scales doesn't manage to clinch there - Afro Samurai circles away.
Afro Samurai misses with a takedown attempt - Scales sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Josh Scales has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diego Afro Samurai.
Scales misses with the combination.
Scales misses with a double jab
and Afro Samurai counters with a left and a right that stings Scales.
Afro Samurai displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Afro Samurai dodges the punch combination from Scales.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Scales shoots in for a double leg but Afro Samurai sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Afro Samurai tries for a takedown. No joy.
Scales leaning his opponent against the cage.
Scales is pressed up against the cage. Afro Samurai has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Scales down to the mat. Scales avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Scales throws a combination that misses
and Afro Samurai counters with a one-two to the body.
Scales throws a right and a left that both miss.
Afro Samurai connects with a nice looking jab.
Josh Scales is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Afro Samurai misses with a jab, cross combination.
Scales lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Scales lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Afro Samurai circles away quickly and effectively.
Afro Samurai stuffs the takedown attempt from Scales. Scales gets slowly back to his feet.
Scales fails with an attempt to clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Scales misses the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scales connects with a good right hand that stumbles Afro Samurai. Afro Samurai circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Afro Samurai scores with the left hand. Scales knows he should have avoided that one.
A left and a right from Scales both land. Nice combination.
Afro Samurai will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Scales misses with a few strikes there.
Afro Samurai rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Scales moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Scales misses with a takedown attempt - Afro Samurai sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Afro Samurai throws a right and a left that both miss.
Afro Samurai just misses with a punch to the body.
Scales lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Afro Samurai circles away quickly and effectively.
Scales lands a two punch combo.
Scales is looking to clinch but Afro Samurai is avoiding it.
Afro Samurai avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Scales dodges the punch combination from Afro Samurai.

Scales gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Scales breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Afro Samurai misses with a series of wild punches.
Scales throws a right and a left that Afro Samurai avoids nicely.
Afro Samurai tries to bum rush Scales with a series of wild strikes but Scales uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Scales throws a combination. Afro Samurai tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Afro Samurai throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Scales stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A punch combination from Scales misses.
Scales throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Afro Samurai lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Afro Samurai.
Scales swinging wilding here.
Jab, jab by Afro Samurai - just one landing.
Scales lands a two punch combo.
Afro Samurai lands an overhand right.
Scales showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Afro Samurai.
Afro Samurai throws a left and a right that both miss
and Scales counters with a series of strikes. Afro Samurai will be more careful next time no doubt.
Afro Samurai misses with a double jab.
Afro Samurai throws a right and a left that Scales avoids nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Scales scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
No joy there for Afro Samurai, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Afro Samurai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Scales scores with a shot to the body.
Afro Samurai swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Scales.
Afro Samurai misses with a wild combination.
Afro Samurai swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Scales counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Afro Samurai misses with a two punch combination.
Scales works over Afro Samurai's head and body with a nice combination.
Afro Samurai misses with a few strikes there.

Afro Samurai tries to keep at a distance but Scales has taken the fight into the clinch.

Scales's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Scales is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Scales is working the combinations to good effect here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Afro Samurai misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Scales.
Scales lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Scales lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Afro Samurai staying out of range there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Scales dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Diego Afro Samurai's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Afro Samurai keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A punch combination from Afro Samurai misses.
Afro Samurai throws a looping overhand right but Scales ducks down to avoid it.
The crowd cheers as Scales lands an impressive looking overhand right. Afro Samurai doesn't seem phased though.
Scales takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Afro Samurai misses with a few strikes there.

Scales forces Afro Samurai back against the cage and clinches.
Afro Samurai prevents the takedown attempt.

Scales breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Afro Samurai dodges the punch combination from Scales.
Josh Scales is winning the standup battle so far.
Scales throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Afro Samurai tries to bum rush Scales with a series of wild strikes but Scales uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Scales misses with a few strikes there.
Afro Samurai falls off balance throwing a combination

and Scales counters by clinching up.

Scales manages to break the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Scales dodges the punch combination from Afro Samurai.
Scales lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scales shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Afro Samurai throws a series of punches but Scales avoids them all with ease.
Afro Samurai lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Afro Samurai throws a lazy right hand but Scales sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A swing and a miss from Scales.
A combination from Scales does no damage.
Afro Samurai ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Afro Samurai falls off balance throwing a combination

and Scales counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Afro Samurai controlling the position.
Scales wants to control from the top but Afro Samurai keeps moving.
Afro Samurai wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Scales scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Afro Samurai keeping moving, preventing Scales from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Afro Samurai being controlled here, momentarily.
Afro Samurai managing to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Afro Samurai trying to control the position.
Scales trying to control but Afro Samurai is working from the bottom.
Afro Samurai controls Scales momentarily but Scales frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Afro Samurai keeping full guard, as Scales tries to pass.
Scales trying to control but Afro Samurai is working from the bottom.
Afro Samurai looking for a sweep. Not yet Afro Samurai, not yet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Scales throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Afro Samurai counters with a single leg into guard. Scales didn't expect that.
Scales can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Afro Samurai controls the pace.
Scales trying to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Afro Samurai stops Scales from standing up.
Scales is trying to control the position but Afro Samurai postures up.
Scales looking for a sweep. Not yet Scales, not yet.
Afro Samurai wants to pass the guard but Scales is keeping the position.
Diego Afro Samurai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Scales is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Afro Samurai is controlling him.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Afro Samurai falls off balance throwing a combination
and Scales counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Josh Scales is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Scales defending well as Afro Samurai loads up on a big left hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Josh Scales.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Scales, 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Scales!