PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Maple Leaf (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Cushing (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michael Cushing struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 147.1lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Michael Cushing has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Maple Leaf's chin.

Leaf
vs
Cushing

178 cm
19
145 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

175 cm
21
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Maple Leaf!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Michael Cushing!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Elvis Blanc and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Leaf gets a takedown into half guard.

Leaf is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Cushing sees it coming and defends easily.

Leaf is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Cushing is just riding it out for now. Leaf eventually gives up the hold.
Cushing keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
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.
Leaf throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Leaf wants to work for an arm triangle but Cushing is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Leaf prevents Cushing from improving his position.

Leaf seems to be working for a kimura but Cushing defends the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Leaf is working for a submission of some sort.
Leaf missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leaf is looking to take a break and control but Cushing is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Leaf is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
It looks like Leaf is going to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Leaf is working for a kimura but Cushing is defending it quite comfortably.
Leaf sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cushing defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Leaf fails in his attempt to clinch.

Leaf shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Leaf was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Leaf goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Cushing is on top in guard.

Leaf working for a triangle but Cushing defends it easily.
Cushing is pushing down on Leaf's leg trying to pass to half guard. Leaf is fighting to maintain full guard but Cushing has managed to sneak the leg through.
Leaf wants to get back to full guard.

Cushing in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Leaf tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Cushing!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Michael Cushing!