PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jesse James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Buckman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

James
vs
Buckman

185 cm
19
192 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

180 cm
22
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jesse James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steve Buckman!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Stewart Dunkirk and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Buckman with that takedown attempt.
Buckman shoots for a double leg takedown but James sprawls well. He's pushed Buckman's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Buckman shoots in for a takedown but James shows good takedown defense.
Jesse James has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Buckman.
Buckman throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around James's waist but James gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Buckman off to one side.
Buckman misses with a takedown attempt - James sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Steve Buckman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Buckman is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
James stuffs the takedown attempt from Buckman. Buckman gets slowly back to his feet.
Buckman moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Horrible takedown by Buckman or perhaps it was just good defense by James which made him look bad.
Buckman looks gassed!
Buckman shoots in but no luck this time.

James shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Buckman's guard.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Buckman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Buckman keeping full guard, as James tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
James pushes down on Buckman's leg and manages to get into half guard.
James throwing shots but Buckman is blocking nicely.

Buckman looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Buckman is staying active underneath James, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
James is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
James working the head and body with strikes.
James is nestled in close to Buckman, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
James wants to take a breather but Buckman is having none of it.

Buckman looking for submissions off his back.

Buckman actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James slows the pace down in half guard.
Buckman is trying to control but can't.
Ground and pound from James.
James is keen to just control but Buckman is a slippery customer.
James looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
James is tying to control. Buckman wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
James throwing shots but Buckman is blocking nicely.
Buckman 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!

Buckman has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for James! Can he survive? No! He's out! Buckman gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:04 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Steve Buckman!