PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cu Chulainn (ranked 4200 p4p, 428 weight class) and Danar Lightner (ranked 3832 p4p, 408 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Chulainn
vs
Lightner

200 cm
25
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
24
218 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Cu Chulainn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Danar Lightner!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Reed Andrews and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lightner throws a leg kick

and Chulainn moves into the clinch.
Lightner throws an elbow that misses.

Lightner pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lightner throws a head kick but Chulainn moves out of range.
Chulainn fails with a takedown attempt.
Lightner misses with a two punch combination.
Lightner throws a series of strikes that have Chulainn backpedaling.
Lightner throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lightner throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Chulainn half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Lightner scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Lightner fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Chulainn tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Lightner manages to circle out of the way.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lightner uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Lightner scores with a leg kick.
Lightner misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lightner tries to bum rush Chulainn with a series of wild strikes but Chulainn uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Lightner blocks a head kick by Chulainn.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lightner misses with a body shot.
Lightner stuns Chulainn with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Chulainn tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Lightner defends well and Chulainn ends up having to push Lightner into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Lightner throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Lightner closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Danar Lightner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Chulainn rushes Lightner and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Chulainn breaks from the clinch.
Chulainn lands with a nice combination. Lightner backs away looking to recover.
Lightner misses with a two punch combination.
Chulainn dives in and grabs Lightner's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lightner pushes down on Chulainn's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cu Chulainn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Lightner will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Chulainn moves out of range as Lightner strikes.
Chulainn avoids the body shot from Lightner.
Chulainn fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lightner finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Lightner falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Chulainn to counter with a crisp jab.
Danar Lightner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lightner misses with a few strikes there.
Chulainn fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lightner fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lightner looks winded!
Lightner misses with an uppercut.
Chulainn was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Lightner throws a poor cross that misses
and Lightner takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lightner throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Chulainn.
Lightner misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Chulainn.
Chulainn tries to clinch but Lightner moves out of range.
Lightner throws a front kick aimed at Chulainn's knee but Chulainn avoids it well.
Chulainn checks a leg kick.
Lightner throws a combination that misses
and Chulainn counters with a straight right hand.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Chulainn.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chulainn shoots in for a takedown but Lightner shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lightner swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Chulainn connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lightner keeps the fight on the outside.

Chulainn darts in and clinches Lightner up against the cage.

Lightner breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lightner throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Chulainn fails with a takedown attempt.
Lightner throws a hook but Chulainn blocks it.
Chulainn slips under a jab from Lightner.
Lightner scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Lightner throws a wild body kick that Chulainn sees coming a mile off.
Lightner throws a shot from downtown. Chulainn moves away and avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Lightner.
Lightner throws a right and a left that Chulainn avoids nicely.
Chulainn tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lightner paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A head kick misses from Lightner.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lightner connects with a crisp jab.
Lightner swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Chulainn shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lightner as he avoids it easily.
Lightner avoids the head kick by Chulainn.
Lightner has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Lightner misses with a jab, cross combination.
Chulainn is looking for a counter combo.
Lightner keeps the fight on the outside.
Chulainn lands a two punch combo.
Chulainn slips a jab and a cross from Lightner.
Chulainn swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Chulainn fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lightner lands a head kick. Chulainn smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Lightner throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danar Lightner dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Lightner fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lightner tries a head kick but it misses.
Chulainn shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lightner as he avoids it easily.
Lightner has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lightner throws a series of punches but Chulainn avoids them all with ease.
Chulainn shoots in but no luck this time.
Lightner swinging wildly here.
Chulainn seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

Chulainn clinches up with Lightner and pushes him back against the cage.

Chulainn breaks the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lightner swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Chulainn avoids a punch combination nicely.
A quick step to the side and Chulainn tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lightner misses with a double jab
and Chulainn counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Cu Chulainn is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lightner is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Chulainn.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cu Chulainn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lightner misses with a straight right.
Lightner throws a low kick but Chulainn moves out of range easily.
A low kick from Lightner misses
and Chulainn counters with a straight right hand.
Chulainn fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lightner misses with a combination
and Chulainn connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Chulainn tries to clinch there but Lightner circles away.
Lightner buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Lightner throws a low kick, looking for Chulainn's leg but Chulainn calmly moves out of range.
Chulainn darts in looking for a takedown but Lightner gets double underhooks and turns Chulainn into the cage.
Lightner throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Chulainn appears to be looking for a big counter.
Chulainn with a lazy takedown attempt
and Lightner counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lightner misses with a body punch
and Chulainn counters with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Lightner, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lightner throws a right hand that misses
and Chulainn counters with a two punch combo.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Lightner misses with a double jab.
Chulainn throws a big counter combination but Lightner scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Chulainn moves out of range as Lightner throws a body kick.
Chulainn was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Lightner defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Chulainn.
Chulainn shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lightner as he jumps to the side.
Lightner rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Chulainn moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lightner checks a low kick from Chulainn.
Lightner throws an overhand right that lands on Chulainn's shoulder, as Chulainn tries to avoid the shot.
Lightner scores with a nice head shot.
Chulainn avoids the body shot from Lightner.
Lightner misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Chulainn.
Chulainn tries to clinch there but Lightner circles away.
Chulainn fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lightner connects with a crisp jab.
Lightner throws a lazy right hand but Chulainn sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lightner is looking to land body kicks.
Lightner misses with a right hand
and Chulainn counters with a three punch combo that has Lightner backing up. Lightner nods at Chulainn to acknowledge the strikes.
Chulainn shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lightner defends it nicely.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Chulainn fails to land the takedown.
Lightner digs a good body shot into Chulainn's ribs.
Lightner pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Chulainn went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Lightner avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Chulainn smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lightner misses with a wild combination.
Chulainn blocks a jab.
Lightner misses with a jab, cross combination.
Chulainn darts in looking for a takedown but Lightner gets double underhooks and turns Chulainn into the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lightner misses with a series of wild punches.
Chulainn appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
No luck for Chulainn with that takedown attempt.
Lightner defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Chulainn.
Lightner tries to land a front kick but Chulainn steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Lightner misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Chulainn on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Lightner lands a leg kick that knocks Chulainn off balance momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danar Lightner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Lightner falls off balance throwing a combination
and Chulainn counters with a series of strikes. Lightner will be more careful next time no doubt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lightner. Chulainn does a little dance to reset his feet.
Chulainn slips a jab and a cross from Lightner.
No joy there for Lightner, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lightner is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Chulainn.
Chulainn shoots for a double leg takedown but Lightner sprawls well. He's pushed Chulainn's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A low kick from Lightner misses
and Chulainn connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Chulainn is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Chulainn shoots in for a double leg but Lightner sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lightner throws out a loose jab but Chulainn uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chulainn moves out of range as Lightner strikes.
Lightner looks to score with a jab to the body but Chulainn is just out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Chulainn closes the distance looking to clinch
and Lightner counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lightner gets tackled into the cage by Chulainn. Chulainn maintains the clinch.
Chulainn tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Lightner avoids it.
Chulainn 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 Cu Chulainn. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Chulainn breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A nice inside leg kick there by Lightner. That's going to slow Chulainn down.
Lightner throws a low kick but Chulainn avoids it.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Chulainn. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Chulainn shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lightner but Lightner pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lightner is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Lightner misses with a head kick.
Lightner misses with a double jab
and Chulainn counters with a left and a right that stings Lightner.
Chulainn is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Lightner tries a head kick but it misses.
Danar Lightner is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lightner connects with a right hand. Chulainn shakes it off.
Lightner defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Chulainn.
Lightner misses with an uppercut.
Lightner misses with an uppercut.
Lightner is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Chulainn.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Chulainn chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Lightner can pounce on him.
Lightner throws a hook but Chulainn avoids it easily.
Chulainn keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lightner.
Lightner swinging wildly here.
Lightner avoids the head kick by Chulainn.
Lightner tried to score with a low kick but Chulainn checks it.
Lightner looks to land a combination. Chulainn sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Chulainn fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Lightner misses.
Lightner cracks Chulainn with an open hand slap.
Chulainn showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Lightner.
Lightner lands a head kick!
Lightner misses with a straight right.
Danar Lightner seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Chulainn keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lightner.
Chulainn is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Lightner.
Chulainn showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Lightner.
Chulainn closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lightner circles away.
Lightner rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Chulainn moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lightner misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chulainn scores with a nice head shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Chulainn.
Lightner lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Chulainn circles away quickly and effectively.
Some wild striking there from Lightner.
Lightner looks to land a combination but Chulainn avoids it well.
Lightner goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Lightner with a hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lightner tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lightner thows a leg kick but Chulainn checks it
and Chulainn counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Lightner thinking.
Chulainn is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Chulainn avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Cu Chulainn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Chulainn dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Lightner swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Chulainn changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

And that's the end of the fight!
Danar Lightner comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lightner winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 John Roberts scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Danar Lightner!
Danar Lightner thanked the fans post fight for their support.