PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Skip Church (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Grease Lightening (ranked 0 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.

Church
vs
Lightening

165 cm
25
134 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

150 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Skip Church!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Grease Lightening!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Winston Howard and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lightening is looking to clinch but Church is avoiding it.
Church jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

Church moves into the clinch.
Church can't break the clinch.
Church wants to break free but Lightening has control.
Lightening wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Church has him pressed against the cage.
Church lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Church breaks from the clinch.
Lightening shoots in and drives through. Church sprawls well.
Lightening tries to score a power double leg takedown but Church sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lightening somewhat.
Church displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lightening.
Skip Church has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Grease Lightening.
Church moves out of range of the body kick.
A punch combination from Church misses.

Church gets a clinch.
Lightening jumps guard but Church stands there with Lightening around his waist. Lightening gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Church breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Church lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lightening circles away quickly and effectively.

Lightening gets a takedown into half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Lightening is trying to work for a kimura but Church is defending well.
Church is looking to improve his position.

Lightening decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Church scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Church scores with a hook to the body. Lightening takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Church connects with a right hand. Lightening shakes it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Church darts in and clinches Lightening up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice left hand lands by Church.
Lightening jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Church walks away with a smile on his face. Lightening gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Church gets a clinch.

Church pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lightening tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A nice combination there by Church.
Skip Church is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lightening walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A left and a right from Church both land. Nice combination.
Some wild striking there from Church.
Lightening misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Church pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Lightening back to the cage. Church follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

Lightening is rocked!
Lightening tries to clinch up.
Church throws a nice looking combination but Lightening bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Church lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Lightening is still on wobbly legs! Can Church finish him?
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Church.
Lightening seems to have recovered his senses.
Church fails with an attempt to clinch.
Church throws a series of strikes that have Lightening backpedaling.

Lightening forces Church back against the cage and clinches.
Lightening can't break the clinch.

Church breaks from the clinch.
Church displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Lightening misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A combination from Church does no damage.

Church has Lightening up against the cage in a clinch.
Lightening wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Lightening wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Lightening successfully pulls guard.
Lightening looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lightening controlling Church's posture.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lightening wants to get back to his feet but Church is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Church is stalling in the full guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Lightening keeping moving, preventing Church from controlling successfully.
Church will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Skip Church dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Church looks to land a combination. Lightening sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Nice sprawl there from Church as Lightening shoots in.
Church throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Church drives through and clinches with Lightening against the cage.
Lightening goes for a takedown attempt but Church pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Church darts in and clinches Lightening up against the cage.

Church pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A jab from Church finds it's way through Lightening's defenses.
Lightening avoids a punch combination nicely.
Lightening throws a hook but Church avoids it easily.
Church lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Skip Church is winning the standup battle so far.

Church closes the distance and clinches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Church wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lightening has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lightening tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Church just stands there and leans against the cage.
Skip Church has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Grease Lightening.
Lightening is trying to push Church away but Church has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Church breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lightening takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Church moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Church throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lightening.
Lightening is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Church.
Church will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Church fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lightening, pushing him back against the cage.
Lightening changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Church fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A left and a right from Church both land. Nice combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Church dips to his left and cracks Lightening with an uppercut!
Church tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Church fails in his attempt to clinch.
Skip Church is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A left and a right from Church both land. Nice combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Church tries to bum rush Lightening with a series of wild strikes but Lightening uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Church darts in and clinches Lightening up against the cage.

Lightening pulls guard effortlessly.

Lightening is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Church wants to control from the top but Lightening keeps moving.
Lightening throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lightening controls Church momentarily but Church frees himself.

Church decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Lightening throws a head kick but Church moves out of range.
Church lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Church is working the combinations to good effect here.
Church's corner calls for a 1-2. Church obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Church tries to bum rush Lightening with a series of wild strikes but Lightening uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Church is looking to clinch but Lightening is avoiding it.
Lightening fails in his attempt to clinch.
Church misses with an attempted mid kick.
Church is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Church swats away the attempt to clinch by Lightening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Church pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Lightening back to the cage. Church follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Lightening has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A nice combination there by Church.

Church has taken the fight to the clinch.
Church lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Church blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Lightening tries to pull guard but Church forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lightening tries to break the clinch but Church is controlling the position.
A frustrated look appears on Church's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Church breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A nice combination there by Church.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lightening gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

Church rushes Lightening and presses him up against the cage.
Church working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Skip Church dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Sloppy strikes from Church. Those never looked like landing.
A combination from Church does no damage.
Lightening takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Lightening closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Church breaks from the clinch.
Lightening changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Church tries to avoid it but Lightening manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Church to the ground. Church escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Church is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Church throws a right hand that Lightening ducks under and follows up with a left that Lightening also avoids with ease.
Church is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lightening is defended easily by Church.
Church tries to bum rush Lightening with a series of wild strikes but Lightening uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Church throws a series of punches but Lightening moves out of range.
Lightening is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Church throws a series of punches but Lightening avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lightening throws a leg kick which misses Church's front leg but catches the back leg as Church tries to avoid it.
Church throws a series of strikes that have Lightening backpedaling.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lightening.
Skip Church has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Grease Lightening.
Church cracks Lightening with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Church moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Lightening fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Lightening shoots in and drives through. Church sprawls well.
A left and a right from Church both land. Nice combination.
Lightening shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Church defends it nicely.
Church scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Church thows a body kick. Lightening tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Lightening doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Church scores with a one two! Lightening had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Church cracks Lightening with an open hand slap.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Lightening takes the fight into the clinch.
Church lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Church breaks from the clinch.
Lightening has a takedown stuffed.
Church lands with an overhand left.

Church clinches up against the cage.
Lightening should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Church's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Church closes the distance and pushes Lightening back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Church makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Church breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Church throws a combination. Lightening tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Church displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lightening.
Left hook, right uppercut from Church.
Church scores with a one two! Lightening had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Church throws a combination. Lightening tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Skip Church seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lightening changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Church tries to avoid it but Lightening manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Church to the ground. Church escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Church rushes Lightening and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Church escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lightening showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Church.
Lightening circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Church takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Church slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Church moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Church misses with a jab, cross combination.
No joy there for Lightening, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Church closes the distance and lands a one-two.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Church avoids a punch combination nicely.
Lightening doesn't manage to clinch there - Church circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Church lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Skip Church is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lightening closes the distance and clinches up with Church, looking for a takedown. Lightening pushes Church against the cage but Church circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Lightening tries to keep at a distance but Church has taken the fight into the clinch.
Grease Lightening has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Church breaks from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Skip Church showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Church, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Skip Church!
During a confident post fight interview, Skip Church thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.