PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Franklin Diggins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rory Lyons (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Diggins comes into the arena with Bonfire blaring out of the sound system. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Diggins
vs
Lyons

198 cm
20
193 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

192 cm
20
198 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Franklin Diggins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rory Lyons!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Steve Montenegro and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed right hand from Lyons misses the target.

Diggins gets caught flat footed, as Lyons shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Lyons's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Lyons wants to control from the top but Diggins keeps moving.
Lyons throwing strikes from guard but Diggins blocks nicely.
Lyons's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Diggins 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.
Lyons being controlled here momentarily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

The ref stands the fighters back up. Rory Lyons was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Diggins drives through and clinches with Lyons against the cage.
Lyons swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lyons turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Lyons manages to end up in side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diggins is looking to reverse the position.
Diggins is trying to get back to his feet.

Lyons is trying to get an arm triangle but Diggins is defending well.

Lyons thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Lyons is trying to get an arm triangle but Diggins is defending well.
Diggins knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lyons on the ground.
Diggins is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Lyons has just dragged him back down to the mat.
What's Diggins going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Diggins can't do much from the bottom here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Lyons tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Lyons has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diggins is not content to let Lyons control the position.
Diggins is looking to regain half guard here but Lyons keeps moving and retains side control.
Lyons working the head and body with strikes.
Lyons is looking to take a break and control but Diggins is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Diggins avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Lyons.
Diggins can't do much from the bottom here.

Lyons is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Diggins has escaped the position, nice work there.
Lyons content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Lyons working the ground and pound but Diggins is defending the strikes.
Diggins is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Diggins is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Lyons scoring with punches and elbows.
Diggins pushes Lyons away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Lyons gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Diggins is looking to reverse the position.
Lyons wants to lay and pray for a moment but Diggins keeps working.

Lyons wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Diggins, who protects the arm well.

Lyons has an Americana. Diggins didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Lyons is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Lyons hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Rory Lyons!