PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Orval James (ranked 5243 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeff Tsang (ranked 5874 p4p, 0 weight class). Jeff Tsang has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

James
vs
Tsang

205 cm
24
178 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

180 cm
24
174 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Orval James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jeff Tsang!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tsang manages to get an easy takedown there - catching James on his heels. He'll look to pass James's guard now, I'm sure.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James keeping moving, preventing Tsang from controlling successfully.
Tsang trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tsang wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.
James wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Tsang trying to control the position from guard on top but James is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tsang drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and James dives on top into guard.

Tsang not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
James's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Tsang is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Tsang controls James momentarily but James frees himself.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
James blocks a head kick by Tsang.
James appears to be looking for a big counter.

Tsang shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. James manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

James is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tsang turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!
James regains half guard.
James manages to get to full guard.
James pulls Tsang in to control the position.
James lands a good elbow from the bottom.
James trying to strike off his back.
James seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsang looking to sit in guard and control but James gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

James's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Tsang is trying to control the position from the bottom.
James slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
James would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

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.
James slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Tsang is pulling down on James's head. It's preventing any offense from James, at least for the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tsang looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tsang is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
James moves out of range of the body kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Tsang gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Tsang trying to keep a closed guard but James is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Orval James dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tsang fails in his attempt to clinch.
James is looking for a counter combo.

Tsang decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Tsang seems to be working for a kimura but James defends the submission attempt.
James really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Tsang is looking for a kimura but James is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tsang to get the leverage.
Tsang is looking to advance position but James won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Orval James overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
James has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Tsang is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James is looking for a sweep. Tsang is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
James trying to control here.
Tsang blocks the strikes from James.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
James is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tsang can do to turn this around?

Tsang shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Tsang showed some decent athleticism there.
Tsang is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for James!
Tsang trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
James manages to regain half guard. Good work.
James gets full guard.
James is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tsang engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
James is trying to keep Tsang in close.
Tsang looking to sit in guard and control but James gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Tsang 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.
James controlling from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Tsang looking to hit a scissor sweep but James is one step ahead there.
James is stalling in the full guard.

James stands up and waves to Tsang to follow him.

James feints and as Tsang raises his hands in defense, James changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
James stays in close to Tsang's body and controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jeff Tsang will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Tsang is looking to clinch.
Tsang connects with a body shot that sends James's belly button to the back.

Tsang gets a takedown into half guard.
Tsang content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
James is looking to control Tsang's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can James avoid being mounted?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tsang is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsang with a flurry of punches that miss.
James keeping moving, preventing Tsang from controlling successfully.
James has a closed guard, preventing Tsang from standing up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
James striking off his back but it's not causing Tsang any problems.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Tsang throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. James was covering up waiting for the punch and Tsang finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Tsang wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsang with a flurry of punches that miss.
James pulls Tsang in close to his closed guard and prevents Tsang from doing any damage or advancing position.
James striking off his back but it's not causing Tsang any problems.
James throws some shots to the body, keeping his opponent honest.
James pulls Tsang in close to his closed guard and prevents Tsang from doing any damage or advancing position.
Tsang must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

James gets caught napping as Tsang dives in and scores a takedown. James manages to retain guard.
Tsang wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.
Tsang prevents James from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tsang wants to stand and escape but instead James has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

James content to stall in guard here.
James will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
James seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Tsang for as long as he can get away with.
Further stalling from James.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Jeff Tsang comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tsang 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeff Tsang!