PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joshua Lynch (ranked 4426 p4p, 494 weight class) and Sparring Fighter 1 (ranked 6694 p4p, 607 weight class). Lynch comes into the arena with Dezarie / Most High blaring out of the sound system. Fighter 1 has chosen Lou Reed - The day John Kennedy Died as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Lynch
vs
Fighter 1

191 cm
40
223 lbs
20 - 16 - 1

192 cm
43
202 lbs
21 - 22 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

RAGS of a RONIN

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 20 - 16 - 1, fighting out of New York, Joshua Lynch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Sparring Fighter 1!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Trevor Gratis and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fighter 1 throws a head kick but Lynch moves out of range.
Fighter 1 has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Fighter 1 throws a head kick that misses.
Fighter 1 throws a head kick that misses.
Lynch tests Fighter 1's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Fighter 1 throws a sloppy head kick and Lynch moves out of range easily.
Fighter 1 tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fighter 1 throws a head kick that misses.
Lynch lands a nice shot that snaps Fighter 1's head back.
Fighter 1 throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lynch with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Fighter 1 misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Fighter 1 looks winded!

Lynch changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Fighter 1 looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Fighter 1 throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fighter 1 misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A jab from Fighter 1 misses.
Fighter 1 takes a jab right on the kisser.
Fighter 1 takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Lynch clobbers Fighter 1 with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Fighter 1 is rocked!
Fighter 1 misses with a head kick.
Fighter 1 is still on wobbly legs! Can Lynch finish him?
Sparring Fighter 1 seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lynch fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fighter 1 manages to avoid it.
Fighter 1 seems to have recovered his senses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lynch shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Fighter 1 napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lynch working the body and head with strikes.

Lynch is trying to get an arm triangle but Fighter 1 is defending well.
Fighter 1 stops Lynch from passing to mount.

Lynch looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Fighter 1 is looking for a sweep.
Lynch lands an elbow.
Fighter 1 tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Lynch wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Lynch is trying to get an arm triangle but Fighter 1 is defending well.
Lynch in side control, throwing shots but Fighter 1 defends.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fighter 1 regains half guard.
Fighter 1 gets full guard.

Lynch is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Fighter 1 is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Fighter 1 has escaped and now he's on top!

Lynch has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lynch wants to stand and escape but Fighter 1 is having none of it.
Lynch looking for a sweep. Not yet Lynch, not yet.

Lynch had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Fighter 1 defends it easily.
Fighter 1 controlling from the top position.
Lynch looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fighter 1 is stalling in the full guard.

Lynch is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Lynch definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Fighter 1 controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Lynch looking for a guillotine here but Fighter 1 defends easily.

Lynch looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Fighter 1's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Fighter 1 trying to stand up but can't free himself from Lynch's guard.

Lynch is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Lynch is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Fighter 1 is aware though and is defending well.
Fighter 1 controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Lynch 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fighter 1 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Fighter 1 pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lynch changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Joshua Lynch will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lynch throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Fighter 1.
Fighter 1 misses with a head kick.

Lynch fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Fighter 1 sprawls well initially but Lynch persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Lynch is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Fighter 1 doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Lynch.
Lynch not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Lynch is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Fighter 1 sees it coming and defends easily.
Fighter 1 is looking to escape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lynch is working for a submission of some sort.

Lynch is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fighter 1 wants to get back to full guard.
Fighter 1 pushes Lynch off looking to stand but Lynch dives back in and keeps control.

Lynch is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Fighter 1 has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Lynch is working away from the top position though.

Lynch seems to be looking for submissions.
Lynch trying to control the action but Fighter 1 is working from the bottom.

Fighter 1 has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Lynch is on him like a limpet, forcing Fighter 1 back against the cage.
Fighter 1 blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lynch tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lynch throws an elbow that misses.
Fighter 1 creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Lynch's defenses.

It looks like Joshua Lynch has been cut.
Fighter 1 tries to land a knee to the head but Lynch blocks with his arms.

Lynch gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Fighter 1 regains guard.
Fighter 1 wants to get back to his feet but Lynch is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Fighter 1 looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Lynch slips nicely into half guard.
Lynch wants to take a breather but Fighter 1 is having none of it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fighter 1 tries to kick Lynch off but Lynch keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Fighter 1 is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lynch looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Lynch seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Fighter 1 does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Lynch trying to mount his opponent but Fighter 1 defends it.

Fighter 1 manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Lynch scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Fighter 1 throws Lynch to one side and escapes!
Fighter 1 throws a sloppy head kick and Lynch moves out of range easily.
Sparring Fighter 1 is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Fighter 1 enables Lynch to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Fighter 1 manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Lynch wants to control from the top but Fighter 1 keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lynch postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Fighter 1 trying to keep a closed guard but Lynch is proving a slippery customer.
Lynch passes into half guard.

Lynch is looking for a kimura here.
Fighter 1 controlling the position well.

Lynch is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Fighter 1 sees it coming and defends easily.
Fighter 1 moves into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Joshua Lynch will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Joshua Lynch's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Fighter 1 pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lynch attempts a counter takedown but Fighter 1 avoids it well and moves away.
Lynch lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Lynch blocks a head kick by Fighter 1.
Fighter 1 throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice jab there from Fighter 1.
Fighter 1 tries a head kick but it misses.
Lynch lands with a nice body punch.

Lynch closes the distance and clinches.
Lynch tries to land knees in the clinch but Fighter 1 avoids the damage to the body.
Fighter 1 misses with a punch on the inside.
Lynch has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Fighter 1 is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Lynch creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Lynch makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Fighter 1 misses with a hook from the clinch.
Fighter 1 takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fighter 1 tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head punch on the inside from Lynch fails to land.
Fighter 1 fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Lynch swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lynch jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Fighter 1 walks away with a smile on his face. Lynch gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Fighter 1 bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fighter 1 lands with a nice body punch.
Fighter 1 throws a sloppy head kick and Lynch moves out of range easily.
Fighter 1 throws a sloppy head kick and Lynch moves out of range easily.
Lynch uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Lynch's jab looks to have found its range, popping Fighter 1 under the eye.
Fighter 1 tries a head kick but it misses.
It looked like Lynch was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Fighter 1.
Fighter 1 lands with a kick to the temple. Lynch shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
A looping hook to the body misses from Lynch. Fighter 1 does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fighter 1 throws a head kick that misses.
Lynch appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Lynch throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Fighter 1 tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Lynch is in Fighter 1's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Lynch 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.
Lynch pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fighter 1 is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fighter 1 keeping moving, preventing Lynch from controlling successfully.
Lynch stops Fighter 1 from standing up.
Fighter 1 keeping moving, preventing Lynch from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Sparring Fighter 1 has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lynch blocks a head kick by Fighter 1.
Lynch scores with a nice head shot.
Sparring Fighter 1 seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fighter 1 tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A slow jab from Fighter 1 misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Fighter 1.
Lynch swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

Lynch closes the distance and clinches.
Lynch stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Fighter 1 has a couple of punches blocked by Lynch.
Fighter 1 throws an elbow but it misses.
Fighter 1 tries to work over Lynch's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Lynch avoiding damage as Fighter 1 throws knees to the body.
Fighter 1 is trying to break free.

Fighter 1's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Lynch closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Fighter 1 looking to throw knees to the head but Lynch is blocking nicely.
Lynch lands a right hand that snaps the head of Fighter 1 backwards.
Lynch tries to land a knee to the head but Fighter 1 blocks with his arms.
Lynch blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Joshua Lynch is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lynch using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Fighter 1 has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fighter 1 misses with a punch on the inside.
Fighter 1 misses with a body punch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Fighter 1 just misses with a elbow thrown towards Lynch's brow.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
With the fighters up against the cage, Lynch throws an elbow but misses.
Fighter 1 is trying to break the clinch but Lynch has him pressed against the cage.
Lynch is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fighter 1 is defending well for now.
Fighter 1 is trying to force a seperation but Lynch has the dominant position.
Fighter 1 misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A right hook to the body lands for Lynch.
Fighter 1 misses with a punch on the inside.
Fighter 1 struggles to land a body shot inside as Lynch controls his hands.
Joshua Lynch has scored more points in the clinch so far.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Fighter 1.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fighter 1 looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Fighter 1 lands with a light punch inside.
Fighter 1 swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nice body punch from Lynch.

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 Joshua Lynch.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Lynch, 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joshua Lynch!
A very excited looking Joshua Lynch rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.
The defeated Sparring Fighter 1 had this to say: 'I'm still standing here, so you apparently didn't accomplish your goal.'.