PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mertsi Lindeman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stephen Chen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stephen Chen has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Lindeman
vs
Chen

155 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

168 cm
18
140 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mertsi Lindeman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Stephen Chen!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Dirk Anderson and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lindeman looks for a takedown but Chen sprawls well.
Lindeman looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!

Chen pushes Lindeman up against the cage in a clinch.
Chen is leaning against Lindeman and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Chen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lindeman fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Chen shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Chen uses his free foot to push down on Lindeman's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Lindeman.
Chen throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Lindeman because Chen loaded up on that one.
Chen controlling his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lindeman is trying to escape the mount but Chen keeps good control and instead manages to take Lindeman's back.

Lindeman is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Chen is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Lindeman knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Lindeman for a finish.

Chen patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Chen is persistently looking for the submission but Lindeman is defending it well.

Lindeman defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Chen looking to break Lindeman's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Lindeman remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Chen will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Lindeman is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Chen.
Chen misses with punches from the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chen is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

Chen is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Chen just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Chen misses with punches from the back.
Lindeman is trying to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Chen is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Lindeman is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Chen gets his way!
Lindeman knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Chen on the ground.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Chen controlling the positon.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Chen missing with punches from the back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Chen dominated that round.
That's time! Lindeman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Chen. Lindeman shrugs it off though.
Chen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lindeman's waist but Lindeman gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Chen off to one side.
Chen shoots for a double leg takedown but Lindeman sprawls well. He's pushed Chen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Chen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lindeman pinned against the cage. Lindeman gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mertsi Lindeman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stephen Chen.

Chen rushes Lindeman and presses him up against the cage.
Lindeman is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Chen pulls Lindeman into guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Chen trying to strike off his back.

Chen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lindeman can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Lindeman might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lindeman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Chen swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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

Lindeman postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Chen is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Lindeman, into his guard.

Chen forces his way into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Chen is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Lindeman!
Lindeman is working to get back to half guard.
Chen punching from mount but Lindeman doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Chen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Chen sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chen controlling from mount.

Chen working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Chen is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Chen controlling his opponent.

Chen stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chen shoots in but Lindeman avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Chen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Chen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Lindeman avoids it really well and circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Chen.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Chen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lindeman circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Chen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Chen clinches.
Chen lands a damaging elbow.

Chen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice takedown defense from Chen. No joy for Lindeman on that attempt.
Chen has a takedown stuffed.

Chen has Lindeman up against the cage in a clinch.

Chen pulls guard effortlessly.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chen has his hands on Lindeman's head, controlling the position.
Lindeman won't allow Chen to sweep him here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chen pulls Lindeman in close to his closed guard and prevents Lindeman from doing any damage or advancing position.
Lindeman tries to free his leg and advance position but Chen is retaining full guard.
Lindeman definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Lindeman being controlled here momentarily.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Chen throws a sloppy head kick and Lindeman moves out of range easily.
Chen lands a head kick!

Chen has closed the distance and engaged Lindeman in a clinch.

Chen pulls guard.

Chen working for a triangle but Lindeman defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chen pushes Lindeman off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Chen fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Chen shoots for a double leg takedown but Lindeman sprawls well. He's pushed Chen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Chen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mertsi Lindeman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stephen Chen.

Chen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Chen lands a body punch.

Chen breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chen fails with a takedown attempt.

Chen drives through and clinches with Lindeman against the cage.

Chen jumps into guard, dragging Lindeman to the mat.
Chen 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.
Chen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chen throwing strikes from guard but Lindeman blocks nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stephen Chen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Chen has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 26:30
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 26:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stephen Chen!