PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mike Lowe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Blake Wightman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Blake Wightman was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Lowe
vs
Wightman

172 cm
23
147 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

178 cm
29
155 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Sully's Bar & Grill
Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mike Lowe!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Blake Wightman!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Alexandre Firmino and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wightman shoots for a takedown but Lowe saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
An inside leg kick from Lowe misses.
Wightman shoots in but Lowe avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Wightman darts in and clinches Lowe up against the cage.
Wightman working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Wightman has picked Lowe up - he's going for a ride! Wightman dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Wightman missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Lowe is positioning himself well to prevent Wightman advancing to mount.
Wightman throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lowe wants to improve his position but Wightman is controlling well.
Wightman looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Wightman missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wightman prevents Lowe from standing back up.
My spies in New York Striking Academy inform me that Wightman has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Lowe blocking the ground and pound attempt from Wightman.
Wightman working the head and body with strikes.
Wightman working over Lowe with some ground and pound. Lowe looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Wightman is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Wightman missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Wightman thows a huge punch but Lowe dodges it nicely.
Wightman throwing shots but Lowe is blocking nicely.
Wightman missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Wightman throwing shots but Lowe is blocking nicely.
Wightman is nestled in close to Lowe, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Wightman throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lowe blocking the ground and pound attempt from Wightman.
Wightman is nestled in close to Lowe, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Wightman scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Wightman throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Wightman missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Wightman throws a strike but Lowe avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Wightman throws a big right hand that misses.
Wightman distracts Lowe with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wightman lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Wightman is looking to work some ground and pound but Lowe has wrist control.
Wightman working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Lowe looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wightman won't allow Lowe to get back to his feet.
Lowe avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Wightman working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Wightman postures up in Lowe's guard and throws a big left but Lowe blocks it.
Lowe wants to improve his position but instead Wightman has moved into half guard.
Wightman has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Wightman missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Wightman sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lowe defending well though.
Wightman landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Wightman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Lowe manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lowe throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Wightman pivots, looking for a leg kick but Lowe is out of range and Wightman settles back down.
Lowe stuffs the takedown attempt from Wightman. Wightman gets slowly back to his feet.
Mike Lowe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Blake Wightman.
Wightman blocks a head kick by Lowe.
Wightman fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A little feinted left hand from Lowe on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Wightman shoots in for a double leg but Lowe sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lowe explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lowe tries a head kick but it misses.
Lowe throws a low kick but Wightman avoids it.
Lowe throws a head kick but Wightman moves out of range.
Good leg kick by Lowe there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Wightman takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
And Wightman tries to counter it with a takedown but Lowe pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Lowe scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Wightman fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Lowe avoids it really well and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blake Wightman dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Wightman shoots in and drives through. Lowe sprawls well.
Lowe looks to score with a jab to the body but Wightman is just out of range.
Lowe throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Wightman scores with a takedown into Lowe's guard.
Wightman working some strikes from top position.
Lowe wants to stand up but Wightman is controlling him.
Wightman wants to control from the top but Lowe keeps moving.
Wightman might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Lowe haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wightman looking to sit in guard and control but Lowe gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lowe wants to get up but he can't break Wightman's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Wightman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lowe is one step ahead there.
Wightman is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Wightman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lowe advances to half guard.
Lowe blocks the strikes from Wightman.
Lowe wants to stand but Wightman has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Wightman tries to get to full guard but Lowe has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Wightman manages to get to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wightman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lowe is one step ahead there.
Wightman keeps trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Wightman looks for a takedown but Lowe sprawls well.
Wightman has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Lowe.
Wightman dives in for a single leg takedown but Lowe sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Mike Lowe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Blake Wightman.
Wightman shoots in and drives through. Lowe sprawls well.
Wightman scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Lowe doesn't seem bothered though.
Lowe scores with a head kick.
Lowe scores with a nice right hand.
Wightman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lowe.

Wightman darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Lowe trying to hold on to Wightman's head to control him but Wightman postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wightman lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Wightman working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Wightman is thwarting Lowe's attempts to control the position.
Wightman looks to land a strike but Lowe avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wightman throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Wightman throwing strikes but missing.
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 Mike Lowe will probably get the nod.
That's time! Lowe's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Lowe. Wightman shrugs it off though.
A bone on bone clash there as Wightman blocks the leg kick.
Lowe looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Mike Lowe is winning the standup battle so far.

Wightman shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Wightman working Lowe over with strikes.
Wightman not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Wightman connects with a nice short shot to Lowe's temple.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wightman scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Wightman not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Wightman seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Wightman looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wightman lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Lowe is rocked!
Wightman working over Lowe with some ground and pound. Lowe looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Oh Lowe is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Wightman looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Wightman takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Wightman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Wightman throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Lowe keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lowe avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Wightman.
Wightman slips a nice elbow through Lowe's hands, connecting with Lowe's forehead.
Wightman thows a huge punch but Lowe dodges it nicely.
Wightman scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Wightman scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wightman throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Lowe avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Wightman.
Wightman missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Wightman missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Wightman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Lowe seems to have got his legs back now.
Wightman is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Lowe taking some punishment here, with Wightman in his half guard.
Wightman has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Wightman looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wightman tries to pass the half guard into mount. Lowe knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Lowe taking some punishment here, with Wightman in his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wightman throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Wightman throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ground and pound from Wightman.
Wightman lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Lowe avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Wightman.
Wightman sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lowe defending well though.
Lowe regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Wightman.
Wightman throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lowe works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Wightman scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wightman pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lowe is keeping the position for now.
Wightman is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Wightman wants to pass the guard but Lowe is keeping the position.
Wightman cracks Lowe with a solid left hand.
Wightman chips away with some ground and pound.
Wightman landing some decent shots from guard.
Wightman throwing strikes from guard but Lowe blocks nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blake Wightman really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Lowe throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Wightman sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Wightman looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Wightman feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Lowe manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

Lowe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lowe misses with a head kick.
Wightman shoots in and drives through. Lowe sprawls well.

Wightman looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Lowe!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lowe regains half guard, as Wightman was trying to land strikes.
Lowe is trying to stand up here but Wightman is controlling him well.
Wightman not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Wightman thows a huge punch but Lowe dodges it nicely.
Wightman thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wightman not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Wightman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Wightman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Blake Wightman has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wightman scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Wightman looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Lowe with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Wightman working over Lowe with some ground and pound. Lowe looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Wightman missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Wightman takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Wightman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Wightman throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Lowe to regain full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wightman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Wightman throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Wightman throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Wightman is looking to advance position but Lowe has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Wightman wants to control but Lowe is having none of it.
Lowe prevents Wightman from getting the reversal.
Wightman is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Wightman is looking to improve his position but Lowe isn't that keen on the idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wightman tries to lock up and control but Lowe gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Wightman is trying desperately to improve position.
Lowe can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Wightman is looking to escape.

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.
Wightman is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Wightman is looking to get to half guard.
Wightman is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Mike Lowe will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Wightman uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lowe.

Wightman decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Wightman seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Wightman is trying to control the action in half guard but Lowe is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Wightman working Lowe over with strikes.
Wightman landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lowe keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Wightman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Wightman working the head and body with strikes.
Wightman thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lowe makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Wightman changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lowe tries to avoid it but Wightman manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lowe to the ground. Lowe escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Wightman tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Wightman ducks under a wild hook from Lowe.

Wightman looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Lowe!
Wightman in side control lands a decent elbow.

Lowe throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lowe tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lowe scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Lowe!
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
A nice leg kick lands there from Wightman.
Lowe looks to land a combination but Wightman avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wightman decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Wightman throwing shots but Lowe is blocking nicely.
Wightman missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Wightman lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Lowe blocking the ground and pound attempt from Wightman.
Lowe taking some punishment here, with Wightman in his half guard.
Wightman wants to take a breather but Lowe is having none of it.
Wightman throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wightman working Lowe over with strikes.
Wightman lands with a punch from half guard.
Wightman is trying to control. Lowe wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Wightman missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Wightman thows a huge punch but Lowe dodges it nicely.
Lowe blocking the ground and pound attempt from Wightman.
Wightman misses with a head shot. Lowe uses the momentum to regain guard.
Wightman missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Wightman scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wightman scoring with some ground and pound.
Wightman postures up in Lowe's guard and throws a big left but Lowe blocks it.
Wightman stopping the sweep attempt from Lowe.
Wightman with a flurry of punches that miss.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Wightman throwing strikes from guard but Lowe blocks nicely.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Wightman decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Wightman takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Wightman throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Lowe to regain full guard.
Wightman lands a couple of digs.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Blake Wightman.
I think Wightman has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 47:48
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 47:48
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Blake Wightman!
Blake Wightman is the new featherweight champion!