PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Lyman Hicks (ranked 290 p4p, 1040 weight class) and Small Richard (ranked 23 p4p, 85 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Hicks
vs
Richard

173 cm
28
153
12 - 6 - 0

160 cm
28
146
14 - 6 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

30th Century Beer Store
Shadow Realm Apparel

Silverguard Outfitters ðŸ›¡
Furnace Performance ðŸ”¥

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 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Lyman Hicks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Small Richard!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Eddie Farnsworth and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A swing and a miss from Hicks.
Richard feints the counter takedown.
Hicks misses with a looping left.
Richard with the counter takedown but Hicks avoids it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hicks. Richard does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hicks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Richard tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Hicks misses with the combination.
Richard changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Hicks misses with a left hand

and Richard counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Richard.
Richard trying to control but Hicks is working from the bottom.
Hicks has control of Richard's left arm, preventing Richard from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hicks not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hicks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Richard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks trying to control the position.
Richard working some strikes from top position.
Richard pushing down on Hicks's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Hicks avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Richard.
Richard trying to pass the guard but Hicks defending well.
Hicks is pressing down on Richard's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Hicks looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Richard is looking to work some ground and pound but Hicks has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Richard with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richard with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hicks looking for a sweep. Not yet Hicks, not yet.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Richard's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Hicks controlling the position.
Hicks will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Richard is looking to work some ground and pound but Hicks has wrist control.
Richard with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hicks is on top in guard.

Richard has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Richard has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Hicks is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Richard.
Hicks wants to lay and pray for a moment but Richard keeps working.
Richard is looking for a sweep.

Hicks has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Hicks swings for the body but Richard moves out of range.
Hicks misses with an uppercut. Richard saw that one coming.
Richard drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Hicks defends it well.
Hicks connects with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richard defending well as Hicks loads up on a big left hand.
And Richard tries to counter it with a takedown but Hicks pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hicks lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Hicks lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Richard circles away quickly and effectively.
Richard changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Hicks misses with a body punch

and Richard decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hicks's guard.
Richard trying to control the position from guard on top but Hicks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hicks looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Richard has gone for a leg lock! Hicks slips out almost immediately though and dives into Richard's guard.

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Lyman Hicks will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Jab by Hicks.
Richard takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Hicks fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Richard manages to avoid it.
Hicks is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Hicks loads up on a big right hand but Richard slips the punch.
Richard is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Hicks throws the left hand but Richard avoids the punch easily.
Hicks seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Richard takes a body punch but keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hicks digs a good body shot into Richard's ribs.
Lyman Hicks is winning the standup battle so far.
Hicks just misses with a punch to the body.
Hicks lands a jab to Richard's midsection.
A jab lands there for Hicks.
Lyman Hicks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks thuds his right hand into Richard's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hicks misses with a hook

and Richard counters with a takedown into side control.
We've been informed that Richard has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Hicks is not content to let Richard control the position.

Richard swings around for an armbar but Hicks sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Richard's guard.

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

Richard has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hicks can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Richard is striking from the bottom but Hicks uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hicks wants to control but Richard is keeping him busy.
Small Richard has got the better of the ground game so far.
Richard trying to hold on to Hicks's head to control him but Hicks postures up.
Hicks prevents Richard from improving his position.

Richard looking for submissions off his back.

Richard actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks is looking to take a break and control but Richard is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Richard is in trouble now - Hicks has advanced to mount!
Hicks is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Richard can do to turn this around?
Richard can't escape the position.
Richard manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Hicks seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richard regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hicks is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Hicks trying to control the position from guard on top but Richard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Richard working for submissions but it's allowed Hicks to get to half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lyman Hicks dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Hicks darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hicks, as that shot connected.
Hicks jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Richard on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hicks just misses with a punch to the body.
Hicks throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Richard changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hicks thows a left - swing and a miss!
Richard with the counter takedown but Hicks avoids it easily.
Hicks pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Richard uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hicks.
Richard feints the counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks throws a body shot but no joy.
Hicks misses with a body shot.
Richard feints the counter takedown.
Hicks jabs Richard to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Richard keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Richard with the counter takedown but Hicks avoids it easily.
Hicks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Richard feints the counter takedown.
Richard moves forwards but Hicks connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Hicks throws the left hand but Richard avoids the punch easily.
Richard changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Hicks looks to score with a jab to the body but Richard is just out of range.
Jab, jab by Hicks - just one landing.
A slow jab from Hicks misses its intended target.
Richard drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Hicks defends it well.
Hicks throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Hicks misses.
Hicks is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Richard.
A punch combination from Hicks misses.
Richard is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Hicks looks to land a left hand but Richard moved out of range nicely.
Richard ducks under a wild hook from Hicks.
Hicks throws a lazy right hand but Richard sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
And Richard tries to counter it with a takedown but Hicks pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hicks throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Richard takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Richard slips under a jab from Hicks.
Hicks missing with a left hand there. Richard was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hicks throws a looping overhand right but Richard ducks down to avoid it.
Richard tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks throws a shot from downtown. Richard moves away and avoids it.
Hicks throws an off balance right hand

and Richard counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Richard is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hicks has managed to free his arm - good work.

Richard is trying to work for a kimura but Hicks is defending well.
Hicks wants to control but Richard is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Richard is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Hicks tries to roll over but Richard keeps him under control.
Lyman Hicks is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Richard lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lyman Hicks showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hicks, 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight for Lyman Hicks!
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight for Lyman Hicks!
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight for Lyman Hicks!

Lyman Hicks wins by unanimous decision!
Lyman Hicks took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, 30th Century Beer Store for their support in the buildup to the fight.