PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Samson Goldstein (ranked 3629 p4p, 329 weight class) and LeBron James (ranked 22221 p4p, 473 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Goldstein
vs
James

200 cm
44
260 lbs
57 - 29 - 1

203 cm
23
265 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 57 - 29 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Samson Goldstein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, LeBron James!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Frank Dennis and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

James darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
James tries to pass the half guard into mount. Goldstein knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
James is keen to just control but Goldstein is a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

James is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
James thows a huge punch but Goldstein dodges it nicely.
James is trying to control. Goldstein wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

James is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
James tries to pass the half guard into mount. Goldstein knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goldstein is looking for a sweep. James is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Goldstein pushes James off looking to stand but James dives back in and keeps control.
James is looking to advance position but Goldstein won't allow it.

James seems to be looking for submissions.
James is trying to control the action in half guard but Goldstein is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Goldstein is holding on to half guard well.
James wants to control but Goldstein is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
James wants to free his trapped foot but Goldstein is holding on for dear life with his legs.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Goldstein shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
James is looking to sweep but instead, Goldstein has passed into half guard.
Goldstein slips a nice elbow through James's hands, connecting with James's forehead.

Goldstein is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
James trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Goldstein.
James wants to sweep but no luck.
James has Goldstein pulled in close to control his posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Goldstein wants to get up but he can't break James's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Goldstein wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
James shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Goldstein seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
James doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Goldstein counters with a two punch combo.

James is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Goldstein's half guard.
James seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Goldstein does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

James is working for a kimura but Goldstein is defending it quite comfortably.
Goldstein trying to control but James postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Samson Goldstein will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

James fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Goldstein enables James to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Goldstein manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Goldstein preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Goldstein pulls James in close to his closed guard and prevents James from doing any damage or advancing position.
James is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Goldstein looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

James drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Goldstein dives on top into guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw James working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
James passes to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goldstein tries to buck James off but James is having none of it.
James trying to control the action but Goldstein is working from the bottom.

James looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Goldstein is looking to regain half guard here but James keeps moving and retains side control.

James working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

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.

James is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Goldstein has escaped the position, nice work there.
James wants to lay and pray for a moment but Goldstein keeps working.
Goldstein prevents James from improving position.
Goldstein pushes James away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, James gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

James is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Goldstein has escaped the position, nice work there.
James prevents Goldstein from escaping the position.
Goldstein is trying to control James's posture but James avoids it.

James thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Goldstein wants to control but James postures up.
James trying to control the action but Goldstein is working from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
LeBron James has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four 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.
Goldstein struggling a bit here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
James looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Goldstein is fending him off so far but James persists. Nope, Goldstein circles away and we're back to standing.
James tries to score a power double leg takedown but Goldstein sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten James somewhat.
Samson Goldstein has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of LeBron James.
Goldstein shoots in and drives through. James sprawls well.
Goldstein throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Samson Goldstein is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Goldstein has managed to clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The referee is keeping an eye on Goldstein - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
James wants a takedown.

James works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

LeBron James 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!

Goldstein clinches up against the cage.

James lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
James stops Goldstein from getting back to his feet.
Goldstein is pressing down on James's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
James stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Goldstein swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Goldstein wants to sweep here but James controlling him for the moment.

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

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goldstein wants to get up but he can't break James's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goldstein in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
James controlling the position.
James tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Goldstein passes easily into side control. Nice work.
James wants to control but Goldstein postures up.
James is looking for a sweep.
Goldstein wants to lay and pray for a moment but James keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
James is looking for a sweep.
Goldstein tries to stand but James is controlling his head.
Goldstein just content to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
James shoots in for a takedown but Goldstein shows good takedown defense.
James fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
James takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Goldstein closes the distance and pushes James back into the cage.

Goldstein breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

James tries to keep at a distance but Goldstein has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James tries to score a body lock takedown but Goldstein shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Samson Goldstein has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of LeBron James.

James gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
James preventing the sweep.
James won't allow Goldstein to get back to his feet.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Goldstein is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

James drops back, looking for a kneebar! Goldstein looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Goldstein looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Goldstein!

Goldstein decides to stand up, so the ref orders James to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Goldstein closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Goldstein gets underhooks to prevent James's takedown attempt.

Goldstein gets a trip takedown into half guard.
James moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
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!
Goldstein is looking to work some ground and pound but James has wrist control.
Goldstein preventing the sweep.
Goldstein engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Goldstein wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Samson Goldstein showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Goldstein has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Samson Goldstein!
Samson Goldstein tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.