PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ike Lara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raymond Lee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lee comes into a darkened arena with his song building. X Gone Give It To Ya - DMX kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! 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.

Lara
vs
Lee

190 cm
25
140 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

175 cm
20
144 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Ike Lara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Raymond Lee!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Chris Edwards and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lee lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Raymond Lee seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Lara shoots in and gets a takedown into Lee's guard.
Lee being controlled here, momentarily.
Lara throws a big elbow that misses.

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

Lara has his feet on Lee's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Lee throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Lara was covering up waiting for the punch and Lee finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Lara working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Lara keeping moving, preventing Lee from controlling successfully.
Lara tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Lara is working an open guard so Lee takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Lee fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Lara sprawls well initially but Lee persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Lara has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Lee is on him like a limpet, forcing Lara back against the cage.
Lara fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Lee fails to pull guard.
Lee cracks Lara with a nice body shot.
Lara jumps guard but Lee turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Lee tries to break the clinch but Lara is controlling the position.
Lee tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lara just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lee looking for a takedown.
Ike Lara has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raymond Lee.

Lara manages to pull guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lee trying to control but Lara is working from the bottom.
Lee preventing the sweep.
Lara looking to control.
Lara will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Lara wants to improve his position but instead Lee has moved into half guard.
Lee is trying to control the action in half guard but Lara is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lee landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Lara actively working from the bottom here.

Lara pushes Lee off and gets back to his feet.
Lara is breathing heavily.

Lee shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Lara pushes Lee off and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lee throws a push kick but Lara slaps the foot to one side.
Lara half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Lara really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Lee lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Lee.

Lara is rocked!

Lee has managed to clinch.
Oh Lara is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Lee tightens his grip and picks Lara up, before dumping him to the ground. Lara manages to land in guard.
Lee is working Lara over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Lee scoring with some ground and pound.
Lee must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Lee with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Lee lands a couple of elbows.
Lee postures up and lands a big shot to Lara's brow.
Lee prevents Lara from getting back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lara tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lee lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lara looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lee is one step ahead there.
Lee postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Lee gets to his feet. Lara looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Lara tries for a takedown but Lee sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Lee misses with a two punch combination.

Lee moves into the clinch successfully.
Stalling in the clinch from Lara.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lara wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Lee scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Lara tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lee just stands there and leans against the cage.
Lara jumps guard but Lee turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Lee escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lara takes a jab right on the kisser.

Lee gets a double leg takedown into Lara's guard.
Lee postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Lara being controlled here, momentarily.
Lee postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Lee scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Lee working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lee throws a big elbow that misses.
Lara 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.
Lee keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Lara's head.
Lara working a defensive guard here.
Lee stands up over Lara, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Lee distracts Lara with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Lee cracks Lara with a solid left hand.
Lara is trying to control the position but Lee postures up.
Lee scoring with some ground and pound.
Lee distracts Lara with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Lara working a defensive guard here.

Lee decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Lara, up you get!
Lee keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lara fails with the takedown.
A head kick misses from Lee.
Lee misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from Lee.
As Lee tries to get set, Lara tries to push him back and clinch up but Lee manages to avoid the attempt.
Lee moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raymond Lee 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 shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Lara sprawls well. Lara wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lee gets slowly back to his feet.
Lee is trying hard to land a takedown here. Lara sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Lara half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Lara seems to have got his legs back now.

Lee has managed to clinch.
Lara tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lee just stands there and leans against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lara is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Lee to keep the fight standing.
Lara tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ike Lara. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lee is trying to stall.
Lee is breathing heavily.
Lara on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lara tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lee just stands there and leans against the cage.

Lara breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lee thuds his shin into the meat of Lara's side.
Lee shoots in but no luck this time.

Lee forces Lara back against the cage and clinches.
Lara is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Lee to keep the fight standing.

Lara drags the fight down to the ground.
Lee trying to control the position from guard on top but Lara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lee has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lara lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Lara postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lara loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lara throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lara stays in close to Lee's body and controls the position.
Lara makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Lee keeping moving, preventing Lara from controlling successfully.

Lara drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lara jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Lara is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Lara trying to control the position from guard on top but Lee is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lara looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lara missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Lara makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Lara's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Lee shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lara pinned against the cage. Lara gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Lara appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Lara scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Lara throws a one two combo.
A big left from Lee misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lara shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lee pinned against the cage. Lee gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ike Lara dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Lee tries a head kick but it misses.
As Lee looks to move away, Lara throws a big counter combo but Lee just gets out of the way.

Lee clinches up against the cage.
Lara is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Lee to keep the fight standing.

Lara gets control of Lee's arms and successfully pulls guard. Lara will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Lee stopping the sweep attempt from Lara.
Lara not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ike Lara overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lara keeping moving, preventing Lee from controlling successfully.
Lara looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lee with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lee preventing the sweep.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lara is on top in guard.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lee with a nice head shot there.

Lee stands up from Lara's guard - Lee perhaps looking for a knockout.
Lee misses with a double jab
and Lara counters with a three punch combo that has Lee backing up. Lee nods at Lara to acknowledge the strikes.
Lee throws a sloppy head kick and Lara moves out of range easily.
Lee with a poor takedown

and Lara counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Lara.
Lara tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lee just stands there and leans against the cage.
Lee drops down looking for an ankle pick but Lara pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lara closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lee circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ike Lara. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lee pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Lee tries to land a body kick
and Lara counters with a stiff right hand.
Lee ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lara moves away.
Raymond Lee seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lara fails with the takedown.
Lee swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Lara counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Lee thinking.
Lara shoots in looking for a takedown but Lee manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lara's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lara tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Lee swivels and escapes.

Lee has managed to clinch.
Lara jumps guard but Lee stands there with Lara around his waist. Lara gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Lee escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lee fails with the takedown

so Lara counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Lara showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Lara got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lee has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lara has managed to get both his arms back between Lee's legs - danger averted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lara slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Lee is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lara defends well.
Lara throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lee works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Lara drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lara jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lara landing some decent shots from guard.
Lara cracks Lee with a solid left hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ike Lara.
I think Lara has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 29:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!