PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tom Stroud (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Scott Lewis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stroud's entrance music is Vallenfyre - Iconoclast. A fine choice. This should be fireworks!

Stroud
vs
Lewis

178 cm
23
168 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

167 cm
22
150 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Tom Stroud!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Scott Lewis!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Andrew Berry and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lewis avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Stroud on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Lewis throws a hook but Stroud avoids it easily.
Lewis throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Lewis slaps away a takedown attempt from Stroud, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Stroud clinches.
Lewis lands a body shot.
Lewis lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Lewis breaks from the clinch.
The fighters circling - Stroud throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stroud throws a shot from downtown. Lewis moves away and avoids it.
Lewis avoids a punch combination nicely.
Stroud thows a body shot but no joy.
Stroud missing with a left hand there. Lewis was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lewis throws a low kick but it's checked well by Stroud.

Stroud gets a clinch.
Lewis throws a head punch that misses.
Lewis lands with a right to the head.
Lewis keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Stroud's efforts to push away.
Lewis softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stroud has clasped his hands together around Lewis's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Lewis tries to improve position but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stroud working away.
Lewis tries to improve position but can't.

Stroud tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Stroud has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The ground and pound from Stroud seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Stroud tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Stroud cracks Lewis with a big right hand but Lewis just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Lewis manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Lewis moves into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lewis tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stroud is looking to work some ground and pound but Lewis has wrist control.
Lewis wants to stand but Stroud is controlling the position.
Stroud working some strikes from top position.
Stroud connects with a couple of short punches.
Stroud in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lewis keeping moving, preventing Stroud from controlling successfully.
Stroud missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Lewis 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.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Stroud throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stroud won't allow Lewis to sweep him here.
Lewis keeping moving, preventing Stroud from controlling successfully.

Lewis looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Lewis is trying to hold Stroud in close to prevent damage but Stroud has managed to pass into half guard.
Stroud missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Stroud is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Stroud throwing shots but Lewis is blocking nicely.
Lewis is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Stroud scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Stroud will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stroud scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Lewis has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Stroud is working away from the top position though.
Lewis gets back to full guard.
Stroud postures up.
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!
Lewis looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stroud is one step ahead there.

Lewis is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Stroud is aware though and is defending well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lewis looking to control.
Stroud preventing the sweep.
Stroud has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Stroud throws a big elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tom Stroud will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Stroud ducks under a wild hook from Lewis.
Stroud throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
No luck for Lewis with that takedown attempt.
Lewis throws a hook but Stroud avoids it easily.
Lewis cracks a nice hook into Stroud's ribs.
Scott Lewis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stroud misses with a looping left.
Stroud throws a lazy right hand but Lewis sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A punch combination from Stroud misses.
Lewis ducks under a wild hook from Stroud.
Stroud throws a right and a left that both miss.
Stroud throws a series of punches but Lewis avoids them all with ease.
Lewis swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Tom Stroud is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lewis fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Stroud on the side of the head.
Lewis with a nice cross.
Stroud closes the distance and clinches up with Lewis, looking for a takedown. Stroud pushes Lewis against the cage but Lewis circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Lewis shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Stroud napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Lewis tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Stroud is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lewis tries to move to mount but Stroud blocks the move with his legs.
Sloppy strikes there by Lewis.
Stroud manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Lewis is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Stroud is just riding it out for now. Lewis eventually gives up the hold.

Lewis is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Stroud sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lewis is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Stroud to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Lewis pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stroud is keeping the position for now.
Stroud preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lewis postures up.
Lewis stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stroud swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lewis is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Lewis with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lewis stands up over Stroud, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Lewis wants to control from the top but Stroud keeps moving.
Stroud is trying to keep Lewis in close.
Stroud preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Stroud manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lewis manages to get himself to full guard.
Stroud trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Stroud trying to control but Lewis is working from the bottom.
Stroud with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Stroud's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Stroud throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lewis works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Stroud postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Lewis working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stroud.
Stroud postures up in Lewis's guard and throws a big left but Lewis blocks it.
Stroud stays in close to Lewis's body and controls the position.
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!
Stroud trying to control the position from guard on top but Lewis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stroud with a flurry of punches that miss.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stroud wants to pass the guard but Lewis is keeping the position.
Lewis is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Scott Lewis will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Stroud throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lewis swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stroud uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lewis.
Lewis digs a good body shot into Stroud's ribs.
Lewis misses with a hook. Stroud ducked under it nicely.
A shot to the liver by Stroud. Beautiful body shot.
Stroud throws out a loose jab but Lewis uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lewis looks to land a left hand but Stroud moved out of range nicely.
Stroud just misses with a punch to the body.
Lewis closes the distance and clinches up with Stroud, looking for a takedown. Lewis pushes Stroud against the cage but Stroud circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Stroud swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Stroud throws a big shot that misses.
Lewis throws a body punch but Stroud moves out of range.
Stroud moves out of range as Lewis strikes.
Lewis lands a jab to Stroud's midsection.
A slow jab from Lewis misses its intended target.
Lewis connects with a right hand. Stroud shakes it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lewis throws a jab but it's blocked by Stroud.
Lewis throws a hook to the side of Stroud's head but Stroud sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Scott Lewis seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stroud tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Lewis swivels and escapes.
Nice straight punches there by Stroud. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Stroud.

Stroud gets tackled into the cage by Lewis. Lewis maintains the clinch.
Lewis creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nice body punch from Lewis - that landed with a thud.
Lewis tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Stroud's elbow.
Lewis is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Stroud is defending well for now.
With the fighters up against the cage, Lewis throws an elbow but misses.
Lewis misses with a body punch.
Stroud is trying to push Lewis away but Lewis has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Stroud is trying to break free.
Stroud is looking to break free of the clinch but Lewis has double underhooks.
A short right from Lewis.
Stroud is trying to push Lewis away but Lewis has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Stroud avoids a wild elbow strike from Lewis.
Lewis lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lewis keeps control of Stroud as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Lewis scores with a shot to the side of Stroud's head.
Stroud blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stroud looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Stroud looking to slow down the pace here.
Lewis unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lewis misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Stroud breaks from the clinch.
Lewis connects with a body shot that sends Stroud's belly button to the back.

Stroud moves into the clinch.
Stroud has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lewis lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Lewis struggles to land a body shot inside as Stroud controls his hands.
Stroud wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Lewis lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A right hand to the body from Lewis.
Stroud is trying to break the clinch but Lewis is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stroud is trying to stall.
Lewis misses with a short punch on the inside.
With the fighters up against the cage, Lewis throws an elbow but misses.
Stroud looking for a takedown.
Lewis can't find room to land a body shot as Stroud controls the action.

Lewis manages to break the clinch.
Stroud misses with a jab, cross combination.
Lewis is looking to slow Stroud down with leg kicks.

Lewis rushes Stroud and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Stroud creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Stroud is trying to push Lewis away but Lewis has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Lewis changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stroud fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Lewis changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Stroud has managed to clinch.
Stroud is trying to break the clinch but Lewis is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stroud is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom Stroud. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Stroud escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lewis throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Stroud throws a head kick but Lewis moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Stroud.
Lewis wants to clinch up but Stroud keeps it at a distance.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
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!
Stroud ducks right into an uppercut from Lewis.
Lewis uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stroud.
Lewis throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lewis slaps away a takedown attempt from Stroud, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Stroud tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lewis was well out of range. Poor timing from Stroud.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Lewis.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Good exchange - Lewis coming out on top.
Lewis connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Stroud pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lewis scores with a crisp jab that stopped Stroud in his tracks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Scott Lewis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lewis 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Scott Lewis!