PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eriks Podkalns (ranked 4580 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jon Jones (ranked 6801 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Podkalns
vs
Jones

190 cm
24
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
220 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Eriks Podkalns!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jon Jones!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, Summer Carpenter and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Podkalns scores with a one two! Jones had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like Jon Jones has been cut.
Podkalns could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Podkalns keeps the fight on the outside.
Eriks Podkalns seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jones throws out a loose jab but Podkalns uses good head movement to avoid it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Podkalns scores a nice knee to the body.
Podkalns wants to stall.

Jones's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jones misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Podkalns tries to clinch up.
Podkalns looks to clinch

so Jones counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jones prevents Podkalns from getting back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jones working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Podkalns wants to stand but Jones is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Podkalns is looking to stand back up but Jones counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Podkalns.
Podkalns pushes Jones off looking to stand but Jones dives back in and keeps control.
Podkalns knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Jones on the ground.
Jones trying to control the action but Podkalns is working from the bottom.
Podkalns pushes Jones off looking to stand but Jones dives back in and keeps control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Podkalns closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Podkalns wants to break the clinch but can't.

Podkalns escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Podkalns avoids the head kick by Jones.
Jones doesn't manage to clinch there - Podkalns circles away.
Podkalns throws a big counter combination but Jones scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

Podkalns clinches up with Jones and pushes him back against the cage.
Podkalns can't break the clinch.
Podkalns is trying to break free.
Jones wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Podkalns leaning against his opponent.
Jones is looking for a takedown.
Jones looks winded!
Podkalns is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Podkalns wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Jones is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Podkalns to keep the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Podkalns lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Nice elbow from Podkalns.

Podkalns breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Podkalns tries to close the distance and clinch but Jones swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Podkalns tries to clinch there but Jones circles away.
Podkalns tries a head kick but it misses.
Left hook, right uppercut from Podkalns.

Podkalns gets a clinch.
Come on Podkalns - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Podkalns can't break the clinch.
Jones takes an elbow to the forehead.

That has opened up Jon Jones's cut even more.

Podkalns escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jones throws a head kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Podkalns doesn't manage to clinch there - Jones circles away.
Podkalns changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jones blocks a head kick by Podkalns.
Jones circles away from the clinch attempt.

Podkalns has taken the fight to the clinch.

Podkalns manages to break the clinch.
Podkalns darts in trying to clinch

and Jones decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Podkalns's guard.
Podkalns wants to get back to his feet but Jones is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eriks Podkalns dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jon Jones's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Podkalns moves into the clinch successfully.
Podkalns trying to stall but Jones improves his position.
Podkalns tries to stall but Jones uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Jones is stalling here.
Podkalns blocks an uppercut.

Podkalns manages to break the clinch.
Jones looks to land a left hand but Podkalns moved out of range nicely.
Podkalns is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Jones.
Podkalns tries to clinch but Jones moves out of range.
Podkalns slips under a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Podkalns is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jones wants to counter with a clinch but Podkalns pushes him away.
Podkalns is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Jones can do to turn this around?

Podkalns clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Podkalns gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Podkalns stalling in the clinch but Jones improves position.
Podkalns is trying to maintain a safe position but Jones gets an underhook and turns Podkalns into the cage.
Podkalns looking to throw knees to the head but Jones is blocking nicely.

Podkalns breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jones tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Podkalns paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Eriks Podkalns is winning the standup battle so far.
Podkalns throws a head kick but Jones moves out of range.
Jones has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Podkalns.
Jones is breathing heavily.
Jones takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Jones throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Podkalns wants to clinch up but Jones keeps it at a distance.
Jones throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Podkalns is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Podkalns tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Jones manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jones throws a counter combo.

Jones has managed to clinch.
Podkalns lands an elbow just above Jones 's eye.

Podkalns breaks the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Podkalns lands a knee to the body.
Jones jumps guard but Podkalns stands there with Jones around his waist. Jones gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Podkalns creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Jones's defenses.
Podkalns lands a damaging elbow.

Podkalns breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Podkalns wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Podkalns tries to clinch up but Jones circles away and keeps his distance.
Podkalns lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Jones is rocked!

The cut above Jon Jones's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

Podkalns clinches up with Jones and pushes him back against the cage.
Jones is still on wobbly legs! Can Podkalns finish him?

Podkalns breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Podkalns connects with a solid leg kick.
Podkalns lands a big right hook! Jones looks hurt but is still standing! Podkalns lands a left jab and another right hook! This time Jones falls down and Podkalns dives in with a huge hammer fist! Jones's eyes roll back! The referee calls for the bell and Podkalns runs up the cage to celebrate with his fans!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:30 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Eriks Podkalns!