PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lionel Messi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rock Lee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Messi comes to the cage accompanied by Metallica - I Disappear. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Messi
vs
Lee

186 cm
24
217 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

189 cm
26
205 lbs
9 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lionel Messi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rock Lee!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Messi drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Messi has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Lee trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Lee has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Messi throws an elbow that misses. Lee uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Messi's guard. Nice move by Lee!

Lee postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Messi is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Lee, into his guard.

Lee looking for a guillotine here but Messi defends easily.
Messi looking to sit in guard and control but Lee gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Lee drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Messi manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Lee has Messi in his guard.

Lee looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Lee is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Messi is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messi wants to control from the top but Lee keeps moving.
Messi throws a big right hand that misses.
Messi trying to control but Lee is working from the bottom.

Lee had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Messi defends it easily.

Lee has his foot on Messi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Messi works his way back into a safe position though.
Messi sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Lee's guard.
Lee is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messi takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Messi thows a huge punch but Lee dodges it nicely.
Lee is not content to let Messi control the position.
Lee trying to control here.
We've been hearing good reports from Messi's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Messi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lee's head.
Messi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messi is looking to pass Lee's guard but actually Lee recovers to full guard.
Messi works over Lee with some ground and pound from guard.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
Messi wants to control from the top but Lee keeps moving.
Messi pushes down on Lee's leg and manages to get into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Messi wants to advance to full mount but Lee doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lionel Messi dominated that 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.

Lee keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Messi uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Lee dives in for a single leg takedown but Messi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Messi lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Lee is staying active underneath Messi, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Lee tries to get to full guard but Messi has control of the leg.

Lee looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lee trying to hold on to Messi's head to control him but Messi postures up.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Messi connects with a nice short shot to Lee's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Messi is working for a submission of some sort.
Messi is looking to advance position but Lee won't allow it.
Messi winds up and cracks Lee with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Lee is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Lee looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Lee looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messi is trying to control. Lee wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Messi trying to pass the guard but Lee defending well.
Lee wants to improve his position but Messi is controlling well.
Messi wants to control but Lee is keeping him busy.
Lee misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Messi drops an elbow to the side of Lee's head.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Messi in particular looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messi is looking to advance position but Lee won't allow it.
Messi is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lee actively working from the bottom here.
Lee tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Lee looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Messi wants to take a breather but Lee is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lee looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Lee trying to control but Messi postures up.
Lee regains full guard. Nicely done.
Messi sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Messi forces his way into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lee missing with punches from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lionel Messi dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Lee misses with a head kick.
Lionel Messi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lee plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Messi closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Lee did well to prevent Messi getting side control.
Lee tries to get to full guard but Messi has control of the leg.
Messi prevents Lee from standing back up.

Lee is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Messi pulls his head out easily.
Messi scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Lee is in trouble now - Messi has advanced to mount!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Messi prevents Lee from getting the reversal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messi with a couple of short strikes.
Messi controlling the position easily from mount.
Messi lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Messi controlling his opponent.
Messi landing strikes from the mount.
Lee is working to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Messi working the ground and pound effectively.
Messi scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Lionel Messi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Messi landing punches.

Lee is rocked!
Lee tries to reverse the position but Messi maintains control.
Lee is still in real trouble! Can Messi finish him?
Lee tries to lock up and control but Messi gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Lee seems to have recovered his senses.
Lee takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Lee regains half guard.
Messi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lee keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messi passes into side control, despite Lee's attempt to control the position.
Lee tries to bench press Messi off him but Messi keeps the position.
Messi landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Lee wants to get back to his feet but Messi drags him back down.
Messi trying to control the position but Lee is working away.
Messi is putting a hurting on Lee here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lee takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Messi lands a decent elbow from side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Messi is trying to get an arm triangle but Lee is defending well.

Messi swings around for an armbar but Lee sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Messi's guard.
Lee trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Messi keeping moving, preventing Lee from controlling successfully.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Messi is adopting a defensive guard.
Lee landing with the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lionel Messi clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lee dives in for a single leg takedown but Messi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Messi throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Messi digs a right hand underneath Lee's ribcage. Lee let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Messi throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lees head.

Messi lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Messi keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Messi trying to control from half guard but Lee is working away.
Messi scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Messi is working for a submission of some sort.
Lee is trying to maintain the position but Messi is very close to passing his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee blocking the ground and pound attempt from Messi.

Lee looking for submissions off his back.
Messi seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Lee is refusing to be controlled, as Messi sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messi throws a strike but Lee avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

Lee is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Messi defends well.
Messi trying to control the position from guard on top but Lee is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Messi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Lee has an active guard here but Messi has managed to pass into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Messi connects with a nice short shot to Lee's temple.
Messi is controlling the pace.
Messi working over Lee with some ground and pound. Lee looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Messi is looking to advance position but Lee won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messi is looking to take a break and control but Lee is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Messi is looking to stall here but Lee recovers full guard.
Messi throws an elbow that misses. Lee uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Messi's guard. Nice move by Lee!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lee trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Lee drops back, looking for a kneebar! Messi looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Messi looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Messi!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lionel Messi had his way with Rock Lee in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Messi. No joy for Lee on that attempt.

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

Messi has Lee pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Messi pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Lee tumbling to the mat - Messi dives into Lee's guard.
Lee keeping moving, preventing Messi from controlling successfully.
Messi throws an elbow that misses. Lee uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Messi's guard. Nice move by Lee!
Messi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lee can do to turn this around?
Lee throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messi throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
Messi has momentary wrist control but Lee slips an elbow through the middle.
Messi keeping moving, preventing Lee from controlling successfully.
Messi is trying to control the position but Lee postures up.
Messi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lee works over Messi with some ground and pound from guard.
Lee stopping the sweep attempt from Messi.
Messi keeping full guard, as Lee tries to pass.
Rock Lee has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lee trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Messi working a defensive guard here.

Lee drops back, looking for a kneebar! Messi looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Messi looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Messi!
Messi works to advance to full mount. Lee defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Messi has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Lee's face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Messi cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Messi wants to control but instead Lee manages to regain half guard.

Lee looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Lee trying to control from the bottom.
Messi thows a huge punch but Lee dodges it nicely.
Messi wants to advance to full mount but Lee doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Messi is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Messi's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Lionel Messi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lee being controlled here, momentarily.
Messi wants to control from the top but Lee keeps moving.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Lee is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Messi is aware though and is defending well.
Messi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lionel Messi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Messi, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Lionel Messi!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Lionel Messi!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Lionel Messi!

Lionel Messi wins by unanimous decision!
Lionel Messi decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.