PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Larry Kushman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Francis Lestienne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kushman
vs
Lestienne

193 cm
26
215 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

195 cm
19
215 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Good knees
Insanely flexible

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Larry Kushman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Francis Lestienne!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Patrick Alders and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kushman throws a hook to the side of Lestienne's head but Lestienne sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kushman fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lestienne manages to avoid it.
Lestienne unleashes a big counter combination but Kushman bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Lestienne uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kushman.
Kushman closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lestienne circles away.
A little jabbing left from Lestienne on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kushman lands a jab.
Lestienne slips under a jab.
Kushman throws a lazy right hand but Lestienne sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lestienne! But no joy.
Lestienne avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
As Kushman backs off Lestienne throws a huge counter combo but Kushman manages to avoid it all.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kushman throws an off balance right hand
and Lestienne cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A jab from Kushman does it's job there.

It looks like Francis Lestienne has been cut.
Kushman misses with a straight right.
Lestienne lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kushman closes the distance and pushes Lestienne back into the cage.
Kushman displaying some good clinch control by pressing Lestienne up against the cage.
Kushman misses with a body punch.
Kushman has Lestienne pushed against the cage.
Kushman has Lestienne pressed against the cage, preventing Lestienne from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kushman is struggling to control the position.
Kushman keeps control of Lestienne as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kushman goes for a takedown in the clinch but Lestienne prevents it.
Lestienne is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kushman drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Larry Kushman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Lestienne prevents the takedown attempt.
Lestienne is trying to push Kushman away but Kushman has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kushman swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kushman lands a right hand.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kushman - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Kushman drags the fight down to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kushman looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Lestienne is defending well. Kushman quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Lestienne has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Kushman celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:21 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Larry Kushman!
A relieved looking Larry Kushman thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.