PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Saidou Toure (ranked 1164 p4p, 2209 weight class) and Might Lightning (ranked 166 p4p, 290 weight class). The key to victory for Saidou Toure has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Toure
vs
Lightning

192 cm
26
216
8 - 1 - 0

182 cm
19
205
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Heavy handed

Brooklyn Apothecary
MKFC

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Saidou Toure!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Might Lightning!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lightning staying out of range there.
Lightning with the counter takedown but Toure avoids it easily.
Lightning shoots and misses
and Toure counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Lightning throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Toure loads up on a big right hand but Lightning slips the punch.
Toure definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Toure looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Toure tries to move into range but Lightning moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A slow jab from Toure misses its intended target.
Toure takes one on the button.
Might Lightning seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lightning avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lightning lands a right hook to the body.
Toure takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Lightning misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lightning avoids the body shot from Toure.
A big right from Toure misses.
Lightning feints the counter takedown.
Lightning works Toure's body with a nice hook.
Toure tries to move into range but Lightning moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Lightning scores with a sloppy right hand. Toure should have avoided that one.
Toure throws a right and a left that both miss.
Lightning cracks Toure with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Lightning slips under a jab.
Lightning feints the counter takedown.
Lightning tests Toure's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Lightning lands a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Toure misses.
Lightning drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Toure defends it well.
Toure walks into a straight right hand from Lightning.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Toure uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lightning.
Toure stuffs the takedown attempt from Lightning. Lightning gets slowly back to his feet.
Lightning has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Saidou Toure has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Might Lightning.
Lightning uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Toure.
Lightning feints the counter takedown.
Nice sprawl there from Toure as Lightning shoots in.
Lightning misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Toure.
Lightning fails with a takedown attempt.
An attempted straight right counter from Toure misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lightning's jab looks to have found its range, popping Toure under the eye.
Toure swings for the body but Lightning moves out of range.

Lightning drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Toure knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lightning on the ground.
Lightning trying to control the position from guard on top but Toure is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lightning content to stall in guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lightning throws a big right hand that misses.
Lightning wants to pass the guard but Toure is keeping the position.
Lightning postures up in Toure's guard and throws a big left but Toure blocks it.
Toure avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Lightning seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Toure misses with a wild body shot.
Lightning comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Lightning uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Toure.
Lightning shoots in and drives through. Toure sprawls well.
Lightning throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Toure stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Might Lightning dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Toure takes one to the side of the head.
Lightning shoots for a takedown but Toure saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Toure is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Lightning connects with a single shot there.
Lightning slips a jab from Toure.
Toure ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lightning moves away.
Lightning stuns Toure with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Lightning manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Toure on his heels. He'll look to pass Toure's guard now, I'm sure.
Lightning has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Lightning is stalling in the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lightning throwing strikes from guard but Toure blocks nicely.
Toure on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Toure tries to get out of the position.
Toure can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Lightning controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lightning distracts Toure with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Lightning controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lightning trying to control but Toure is working from the bottom.
Lightning pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Toure is keeping the position for now.
Lightning works over Toure with some ground and pound from guard.
Toure being controlled here, momentarily.
Lightning postures up in Toure's guard and throws a big left but Toure blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Lightning trying to control the position from guard on top but Toure is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lightning has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Toure looking for a sweep. Not yet Toure, not yet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Lightning shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Toure sprawls well. Toure wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lightning gets slowly back to his feet.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Lightning fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Might Lightning seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lightning fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Saidou Toure is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lightning throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Toure stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Lightning bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Lightning taking a breather here.

Lightning is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Toure is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Lightning in side control, just content to control the action for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Toure gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Toure takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Might Lightning has got the better of the ground game so far.
Toure taking shots to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lightning connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lightning looking to control but Toure is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Lightning jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Toure manages to avoid the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Might Lightning showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lightning scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Toure doesn't seem bothered though.
Lightning shoots in and drives through. Toure sprawls well.
Toure stuffs the takedown.
Lightning throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lightning misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Toure counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lightning is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Toure rather than just go for the knockout.
Toure uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lightning.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lightning ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Lightning misses with a wild body shot.
Lightning slips a jab from Toure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lightning shoots in and drives through. Toure sprawls well.
Saidou Toure has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Might Lightning.
Lightning lands a glancing blow to the side of Toure's head.
Lightning looks to throw the jab but Toure is out of range.
Lightning connects with a right hand. Toure shakes it off.
Toure misses the shot to the body.
Lightning jabs Toure right on the nose. Toure blinks but takes it well.
Toure throws a one two combo.
Lightning ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Toure keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Toure avoids the body shot from Lightning.
Lightning misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Toure takes a swing at Lightning's ribcage but misses.
Lightning misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Toure.
It looked like Toure was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Lightning.
A jab from Lightning finds it's way through Toure's defenses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lightning lands a nice shot that snaps Toure's head back.
Lightning throws an off balance right hand
and Toure counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lightning takes a swing at Toure's ribcage but misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Toure misses the target.
Lightning throws a shot to the body.
Lightning scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nice cross by Lightning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Lightning.
A jab from Lightning finds it's way through Toure's defenses.
Lightning ducks under a wild hook from Toure.
Lightning cracks Toure with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Lightning getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Toure slips under a jab from Lightning.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lightning.
Toure keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lightning bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Toure's head.
Lightning looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Toure is fending him off so far but Lightning persists. Nope, Toure circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lightning fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Toure was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Lightning looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Toure is fending him off so far but Lightning persists. Nope, Toure circles away and we're back to standing.
Lightning throws a lazy uppercut
letting Toure counter with a right hand.
A big right from Lightning misses.
Lightning looks to land a right hand but Toure moved out of range.
Toure swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Toure looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Lightning walks into a left hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lightning misses with a looping right.
Lightning bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Lightning connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Might Lightning really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Toure lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lightning circles away quickly and effectively.
Toure misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lightning.
Toure defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lightning.
Toure is looking to counter punch.
Lightning misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Toure.
Nice straight punches there by Lightning. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Lightning.
Lightning scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Lightning ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Toure uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lightning.
Lightning looks to land a left hand but Toure moved out of range nicely.
Lightning throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A little feinted left hand from Toure on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Lightning misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lightning throws an off balance right hand
and Toure counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lightning shoots in looking for a takedown. Toure tries to sprawl out of it but Lightning keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Toure manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Lightning lands a jab to Toure's midsection.
Lightning cracks Toure with a good jab.
Lightning connects with a body shot that sends Toure's belly button to the back.
Lightning moves out of range of the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lightning misses the body punch
and Toure cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Toure slips a straight right by Lightning.
Lightning cracks a nice hook into Toure's ribs.
Lightning fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Toure manages to avoid it.
Toure takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Lightning closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
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!
Lightning remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Lightning with the ground and pound but Toure regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Lightning seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toure is in trouble now - Lightning has advanced to mount!
Lightning looking to control but Toure is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Toure is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Lightning trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's four 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.

Lightning moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Toure has worked his arm free - good work by Toure!

Lightning tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Lightning has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Lightning scores with punches from side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Lightning is trying to get an arm triangle but Toure is defending well.
Lightning landing strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Might Lightning dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Lightning tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Toure swivels and escapes.
Lightning throws a hook but Toure blocks it.
The fighters circling - Toure throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Toure is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Lightning misses with a wild body shot.
Toure was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Lightning tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Toure was well out of range. Poor timing from Lightning.
Toure swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Toure misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lightning takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Lightning just misses with a punch to the body.
Lightning lands a right hook to the body.
Lightning lands a lovely overhand right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lightning with a lazy takedown attempt
and Toure counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Lightning throws a body shot but no joy.
Lightning walks into a stiff left hand from Toure.
Lightning connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Toure misses with a straight left.
Lightning throws an off balance right hand
and Toure cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Lightning dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Lightning misses with a body shot
letting Toure counter with a right hand.
Toure misses with a hook.
Lightning scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Saidou Toure has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Toure throws a right hand that Lightning ducks under and follows up with a left that Lightning also avoids with ease.
Toure throws the left hand but Lightning avoids the punch easily.
Lightning tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A shot to the liver by Lightning. Beautiful body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lightning fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Toure manages to avoid it.
Toure swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Lightning works Toure's body with a nice hook.
The crowd cheers as Lightning lands an impressive looking overhand right. Toure doesn't seem phased though.
Toure throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Toure doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Lightning misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Saidou Toure has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Might Lightning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lightning staying out of range there.
Lightning scores with a nice strike.
Lightning tries for a takedown but Toure circles away easily
and Toure counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lightning ducks right into an uppercut from Toure.
Lightning throws a predictable looking body shot
and Toure counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Lightning is rocked!
Lightning misses with a wild body shot.
An attempted straight right counter from Toure misses the target.
Lightning is still on wobbly legs! Can Toure finish him?
Lightning misses with a straight left.
Toure misses with a jab to the body

and Lightning decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Toure's guard.
Lightning throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lightning trying to control the position from guard on top but Toure is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lightning seems to have recovered his senses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lightning pushing down on Toure's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lightning tries to pass to full mount but Toure defends it.
Lightning throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Toure to regain full guard.
Lightning throwing strikes but missing.
Lightning wants to pass the guard but Toure is keeping the position.
Lightning connects with a couple of short punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Might Lightning.
Well Lightning has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 45:50
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 45:50
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Might Lightning!
Might Lightning is the new light heavyweight champion!