PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gabu Samejima (ranked 4766 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Ross (ranked 4623 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.

Samejima
vs
Ross

170 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
25
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gabu Samejima!
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, Johnny Ross !
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Stewart Dunkirk and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Samejima shoots in but Ross avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Samejima lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Samejima shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ross sprawls well. Ross wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Samejima gets slowly back to his feet.
Samejima tries to clinch but Ross is having none of it.
Ross uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Samejima.
Samejima fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ross avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gabu Samejima. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Ross .
Samejima wants to get back to his feet but Ross is dominant here and he's now got Samejima's back!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ross trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Samejima doesn't escape.
Ross really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Samejima. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ross avoiding Samejima 's attempts to control his hands.
You can see the frustration on Samejima's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Ross is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
You can see the frustration on Samejima's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ross looking for the RNC.
Ross gets his hands free as Samejima looks to control.

Ross has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Ross gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ross keeps control of the position as Samejima tries to break free.
Samejima really is a fat lump.
Ross controls the position.
Samejima wants to control his opponent's hands but Ross gets his hands free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ross is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Ross biding his time, looking for the opening.

Samejima showing good submission defense here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Good control from Ross .

Ross is persistently looking for the submission but Samejima is defending it well.
Ross biding his time, controlling Samejima.

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

Ross has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Ross is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Samejima rolls, trying to escape but Ross keeps control of the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ross slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Ross dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Samejima gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Ross to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Samejima has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Ross has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Samejima avoiding damage as Ross throws knees to the body.
Samejima tries to pull guard but Ross holds him up against the cage and eventually Samejima drops back down to his feet.

Ross has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Samejima regains guard immediately.
Ross controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Samejima seems keen to control Ross 's posture.

Ross gets to his feet - Samejima follows without any prompting.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ross scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Ross is looking to take a break and control but Samejima is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Samejima takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
You can see the frustration on Samejima's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Ross goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Samejima rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Ross 's guard! Nice work there by Samejima!
Ross not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ross tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Samejima postures up.
Ross managing to control the position.

Ross looking for subs off his back but Samejima has passed one foot through into half guard.
Ross has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Samejima slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ross trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Ross is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Ross wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Samejima.
Ross is squirming around, avoiding Samejima's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ross tries to reverse the position but Samejima maintains control.
Ross is trying to reverse the position but instead Samejima has taken his back - oops!

Samejima working for the choke.
A lull in the action here.
Samejima controls the action.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Samejima controlling well, preventing Ross from escaping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gabu Samejima dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ross changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Samejima looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Samejima wants to control but Ross postures up.
Ross wants to stand but Samejima has his arm trapped.
Ross controls the position.

Ross thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Ross just content to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Samejima might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samejima tries to escape but Ross is in control.
Samejima tries to bench press Ross off him but Ross keeps the position.
Ross wants to take a breather but Samejima manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Ross .
Samejima is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Samejima tries to land a sweep but no joy.

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.
Ross content to stall in guard here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Samejima swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Ross closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Samejima quickly recovers to half guard.

Samejima kicks off Ross and gets to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Ross closes the distance and pushes Samejima back into the cage.
Ross tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Samejima avoids it.
Ross is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Ross has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Samejima uses from the top position.
Samejima being controlled here momentarily.
Ross looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ross controlling Samejima's posture.
Samejima won't allow Ross to sweep him here.
Johnny Ross has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ross thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Ross drives through with a takedown into Samejima's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ross is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Samejima keeping full guard, as Ross tries to pass.
Ross showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ross wants to get up but he can't break Samejima's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Johnny Ross .
I think Ross 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Johnny Ross !