PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ba Lil III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Christian Birchmont (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Lil III
vs
Birchmont

180 cm
27
160 lbs
15 - 2 - 0

177 cm
28
147 lbs
18 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ba Lil III!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Christian Birchmont!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Summer Carpenter and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Birchmont wants to clinch.
Birchmont takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Lil III connects with a looping right hand.
Birchmont doesn't manage to clinch there - Lil III circles away.
Birchmont stuffs the takedown attempt from Lil III. Lil III gets slowly back to his feet.
Lil III looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Birchmont connects with a crisp jab.
Birchmont tries to clinch up but Lil III circles away and keeps his distance.
Birchmont darts in trying to clinch
and Lil III counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Lil III keeps the fight on the outside.

Lil III gets tackled into the cage by Birchmont. Birchmont maintains the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lil III tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lil III working aggressively here.

Lil III breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lil III misses with a head kick.
Birchmont doesn't manage to clinch there - Lil III circles away.
Some wild striking there from Birchmont.
Birchmont fails with an attempt to clinch.

Birchmont darts in and clinches Lil III up against the cage.
Birchmont tries to stall but Lil III uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Lil III misses with a punch to the body.
Birchmont is looking to control Lil III's arms but Lil III gets an underhook and turns him. Now Birchmont has his back to the cage.
Lil III throws an elbow but it misses.
Lil III tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Birchmont's elbow.
A head punch on the inside from Lil III fails to land.
Birchmont pushes Lil III back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lil III's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Lil III lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Lil III lands a left hand that snaps the head of Birchmont backwards.
Lil III taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lil III tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Birchmont tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lil III's elbow.
Lil III has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Birchmont is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Birchmont scores with a shoulder strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Birchmont goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Birchmont fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Birchmont manages to pull guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lil III throws a big right hand that misses.
Lil III wants to control from the top but Birchmont keeps moving.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Birchmont is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Lil III working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Birchmont working for a triangle but Lil III defends it easily.
Lil III landing with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lil III throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Birchmont works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

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

Birchmont has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lil III can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Lil III stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Birchmont swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lil III won't allow Birchmont to sweep him here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Lil III scoring with punches to the head and body.
Lil III postures up in Birchmont's guard and throws a big left but Birchmont blocks it.
Lil III landing some decent shots from guard.
Lil III pushes down on Birchmont's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Lil III takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Lil III landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lil III trying to mount his opponent but Birchmont defends it.
Birchmont trying to control but Lil III postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lil III is looking to advance position but Birchmont won't allow it.
Lil III seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Birchmont does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Birchmont is trying to get back to full guard.
Birchmont moves into full guard.
Lil III scoring with punches to the head and body.
Lil III trying to control but Birchmont is working from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Lil III's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lil III postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Birchmont being controlled here, momentarily.
Lil III working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Birchmont's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ba Lil III dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Birchmont takes the fight into the clinch.
Birchmont managing to block the knees to the body from Lil III.
Lil III can't find room to land a body shot as Birchmont controls the action.
Birchmont lands a left hand.
Lil III goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Birchmont lands with a right to the head.
A short right from Lil III on the inside.
Lil III can't find room to land a body shot as Birchmont controls the action.
Lil III throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Lil III lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Birchmont backwards.
Birchmont scores with a nice hook to the head.
Lil III goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A nice left hand lands by Lil III.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lil III lands a nice uppercut.
A hook to the body from Lil III.
Birchmont looking to slow down the pace here.
Lil III tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Birchmont's elbow.
Birchmont prevents a body shot from Lil III.
Birchmont jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Lil III walks away with a smile on his face. Birchmont gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lil III gets tackled into the cage by Birchmont. Birchmont maintains the clinch.
Birchmont tries to stall but Lil III uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Birchmont lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Lil III lands a right hand.
Nice body punch from Lil III.
Lil III can't find room to land a body shot as Birchmont controls the action.
Birchmont makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Lil III dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Lil III tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Birchmont smiles and moves away.
Lil III misses with a straight left.
Birchmont doesn't manage to clinch there - Lil III circles away.
Lil III throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Birchmont doesn't manage to clinch there - Lil III circles away.
Birchmont tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lil III was well out of range. Poor timing from Birchmont.
Birchmont lands with a hook. Lil III tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Birchmont moves away from the strike by Lil III.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lil III misses with a leg kick.
Lil III blocks a jab.
Christian Birchmont is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A big left from Birchmont misses.
Birchmont misses with an uppercut. Lil III saw that one coming.
Birchmont takes one on the button.
Birchmont closes the distance looking to clinch
and Lil III counters with a nice uppercut.
Christian Birchmont seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lil III cracks a nice hook into Birchmont's ribs.
Birchmont with a jab.
Lil III throws a leg kick but Birchmont sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Lil III shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Birchmont as he avoids it easily.
Lil III looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Birchmont wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Birchmont has managed to clinch.
Lil III struggles to land a body shot inside as Birchmont controls his hands.
Lil III tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Birchmont's elbow.
Lil III can't find room to land a body shot as Birchmont controls the action.
Birchmont misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Birchmont throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lil IIIs head.
Lil III lands a right hand.
Birchmont is trying to pull guard but Lil III has him pressed against the cage.
A short left from Birchmont.
Lil III tries to land knees in the clinch but Birchmont avoids the damage to the body.
Lil III wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ba Lil III. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Birchmont wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Lil III stalling in the clinch but Birchmont improves position.
Lil III lands a left hand.
Ba Lil III has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Birchmont tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lil III tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Birchmont scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Birchmont tries to work over Lil III's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Birchmont can't find room to land a body shot as Lil III controls the action.
Birchmont scores with a nice hook to the head.
Lil III swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Lil III blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right from Birchmont on the inside.
Lil III tries a body shot but Birchmont blocks it.
Lil III tries to throw a body punch but Birchmont avoids it by throwing Lil III back against the cage.
Birchmont is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Lil III to keep the fight standing.
Birchmont lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Birchmont looking to stall.
Lil III is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Birchmont is keeping busy.
Lil III jumps guard but Birchmont stands there with Lil III around his waist. Lil III gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lil III misses with a hook to the ribs.
Lil III misses with a hook to the ribs.
Birchmont tries to work over Lil III's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
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 Ba Lil III will probably get the nod.
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.

Jab from Lil III.
Lil III misses the shot to the body.
Lil III fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Birchmont is out of range.
Birchmont is looking to clinch.
Nice body punch from Birchmont.
Lil III swings for the body but Birchmont moves out of range.
Lil III takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Lil III jabs Birchmont right on the nose. Birchmont blinks but takes it well.
Birchmont wants to clinch up but Lil III keeps it at a distance.

Birchmont drives through and clinches with Lil III against the cage.
Lil III lands with a left to the head.
Birchmont scores with a hook to the body.
Lil III is leaning against Birchmont and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lil III is trying to pull guard but Birchmont turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Lil III is stalling here.
Lil III doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Birchmont jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Lil III walks away with a smile on his face. Birchmont gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Lil III pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Birchmont is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lil III.
Lil III ducks right into an uppercut from Birchmont.
Birchmont doesn't manage to clinch there - Lil III circles away.

Birchmont has taken the fight to the clinch.
Birchmont tries to pull guard but Lil III holds him up against the cage and eventually Birchmont drops back down to his feet.

Lil III has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Birchmont is trying to keep an underhook but Lil III manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Birchmont keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Birchmont avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Lil III.
Lil III not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Lil III landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Lil III missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Birchmont tries to roll over but Lil III keeps him under control.
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!

Lil III is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Birchmont sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Lil III lands a nice short elbow.

Lil III is looking for a kimura here.
Birchmont is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Lil III's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Lil III's back!
Lil III is trying to break free.
Lil III wants to control his opponent's hands but Birchmont gets his hands free.

Lil III defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Birchmont's arms.
Lil III wants to control his opponent's hands but Birchmont gets his hands free.

Birchmont has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Lil III! Can he survive? No! He's out! Birchmont gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Christian Birchmont! Christian Birchmont retains his lightweight title!
A relieved looking Christian Birchmont thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.