PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kostya Tszyu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jermey Lin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tszyu has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. The key to victory for Kostya Tszyu has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Tszyu
vs
Lin

170 cm
25
144 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

150 cm
20
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kostya Tszyu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jermey Lin!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Hugh Johnson and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lin goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Tszyu looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!

Lin forces Tszyu back against the cage and clinches.
Lin 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.
Tszyu working hard to break the clinch.
Tszyu prevents Lin from breaking the clinch.
Lin wants to take the fight to the mat but Tszyu manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Lin wants to break the clinch but can't.

Lin manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Lin manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Tszyu manages to get himself to full guard.

Lin looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lin is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lin content to stall in guard here.
Lin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lin tries to free his leg and advance position but Tszyu is retaining full guard.
Lin is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Tszyu looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Let's hope that Lin has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Lin's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Lin gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Lin is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Tszyu gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
A frustrated look appears on Lin's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Lin gets control of Tszyu's arms and successfully pulls guard. Lin will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lin wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Tszyu avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Lin wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Lin bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tszyu's guard.

Tszyu knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lin on the ground.

Lin gets to his feet - Tszyu follows without any prompting.

Lin feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Lin throws a big elbow that misses.

Lin stands and steps away. Tszyu gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Lin has eaten all the pies!
Tszyu takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Lin shoots in looking for a takedown but Tszyu manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lin's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kostya Tszyu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jermey Lin.
A right-left combo lands from Lin.
Lin closes the distance and clinches up with Tszyu, looking for a takedown. Lin pushes Tszyu against the cage but Tszyu circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Lin shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Tszyu manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tszyu looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jermey Lin dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Lin closes the distance and pushes Tszyu back into the cage.
Lin is working for takedown but Tszyu is calmly controlling the position for now.
Lin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Tszyu wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lin has him pressed against the cage.
Lin jumps guard but Tszyu turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Lin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tszyu is fending him off so far but Lin persists. Nope, Tszyu circles away and we're back to standing.
Kostya Tszyu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jermey Lin.
Lin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Lin counters with a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck for Lin with that takedown attempt.
Lin tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Tszyu defends well and Lin ends up having to push Tszyu into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lin closes the distance and pushes Tszyu back into the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lin has Tszyu pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Tszyu manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Lin jumps guard.
Lin lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Lin gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Nice takedown defense from Tszyu. No joy for Lin on that attempt.
Lin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tszyu as he avoids it easily.
Lin shoots in for a double leg but Tszyu sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Lin closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lin has had enough of the clinch but Tszyu keeps him there for the moment.
Tszyu working aggressively here.
Lin is trying to drag Tszyu to the mat but Tszyu just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Lin misses with a punch to the body.
Lin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Lin changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tszyu fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Tszyu with a poor takedown
and Lin counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Lin instigates a clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tszyu prevents Lin from breaking the clinch.
Lin is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Lin has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lin throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Lin has had enough of the clinch but Tszyu keeps him there for the moment.
The referee is keeping an eye on Lin - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Tszyu turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Tszyu manages to end up in side control.

Lin bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tszyu takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Lin fails to land the takedown.
Tszyu stuffs the takedown.
Lin throws a push kick but Tszyu slaps the foot to one side.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tszyu shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tszyu checks a leg kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lin shoots in for a double leg but Tszyu sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tszyu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lin looks for a takedown but Tszyu sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jermey Lin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Lin fails with the takedown.
Lin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tszyu as he avoids it easily.
Tszyu tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Lin manages to circle out of the way.
Lin fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kostya Tszyu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jermey Lin.

Lin drives through and clinches with Tszyu against the cage.
Tszyu tries to pull guard but Lin holds him up against the cage and eventually Tszyu drops back down to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lin pulls Tszyu into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Lin had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tszyu defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lin controlling the position.
Tszyu won't allow Lin to sweep him here.

Lin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Lin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tszyu is fighting to break Lin's control of his arms but Lin is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Lin keeping full guard, as Tszyu tries to pass.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two 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.
Lin shoots in looking for a takedown. Tszyu tries to sprawl out of it but Lin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tszyu manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Tszyu doesn't manage to clinch there - Lin circles away.

Lin clinches up against the cage.
Lin wants to take the fight to the mat but Tszyu manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Lin has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Tszyu uses from the top position.

Lin looking for a guillotine here but Tszyu defends easily.
Lin bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tszyu's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lin won't allow Tszyu to sweep him here.
Tszyu will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Tszyu being controlled here, momentarily.
Lin with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tszyu works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Tszyu is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Jermey Lin has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lin slips nicely into half guard.
Lin works his way into full mount!
Tszyu is in all sorts of trouble here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jermey Lin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Lin has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jermey Lin!