PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jake Bird (ranked 337 p4p, 344 weight class) and Aaron Lund (ranked 50 p4p, 51 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Bird
vs
Lund

170 cm
30
195
19 - 11 - 0

188 cm
30
190
17 - 9 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conviction
SynCity Fightwear

Brooklyn Threads
Voodoo Nutrition

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 19 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jake Bird!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 1, fighting out of New York, Aaron Lund!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Jonathan Paton and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lund throws a looping overhand right but Bird ducks down to avoid it.
A jab lands there for Lund.
A nice leg kick from Lund, right into the meat of the thigh.
Lund throws a predictable looking body shot

and Bird counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Bird forces his way into half guard.
Bird trying to mount his opponent but Lund defends it.
Bird content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bird is looking to stall here but Lund recovers full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Bird might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Lund keeping full guard, as Bird tries to pass.
Lund managing to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bird stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lund swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bird is working hard here to advance position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Bird looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Lund misses with a hook.
Lund throws a jab when Bird was well out of range.
Bird checks a leg kick nicely.
Lund connects with a body shot that sends Bird's belly button to the back.
Bird tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lund was well out of range. Poor timing from Bird.
Lund moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bird looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Bird engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Bird drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bird jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Lund really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bird. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bird trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lund pulls Bird in close to prevent any damage.
Bird is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bird tries to free his leg and advance position but Lund is retaining full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lund lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Bird dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bird takes a jab right on the kisser.
Lund throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Lund misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bird.
Lund throws a right hand that misses

and Bird counters with a shoot takedown. Lund fights it but they end up in guard.
Lund is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Bird trying to control the position from guard on top but Lund is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bird stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lund swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lund being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird wants to control from the top but Lund keeps moving.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Bird showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Lund throws a leg kick that is checked

and Bird counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Bird looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Bird wants to control from the top but Lund keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bird controlling from the top position.
Bird's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lund seems keen to control Bird's posture.
Bird looking to pass the guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Lund has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Bird is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Lund connects with a leg kick.
Bird moves out of range as Lund throws a body kick.
Lund scores with a head kick.
Bird slips a jab from Lund.
Bird changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Bird wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bird moves out of range of the strikes.
Lund throws an off balance right hand

and Bird counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Bird is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lund can do to turn this around?
Bird wants to control from the top but Lund keeps moving.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lund wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Bird is now in half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Bird dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Good shot there by Lund.
Lund throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bird sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bird seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
A shot to the body from Lund misses

and Bird counters with a single leg into guard. Lund didn't expect that.
Jake Bird overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bird looking to pass the guard.
Bird pushing down on Lund's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Lund is not content to let Bird control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lund keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Lund has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bird is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, if Bird is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Bird is trying to control. Lund wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Bird passes the guard and advances to mount!
Bird controlling the position easily from mount.
Aaron Lund has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Bird pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bird moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Lund has worked his arm free - good work by Lund!
Lund wants to control but Bird postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird slows the pace down.
Bird trying to control the action but Lund is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Bird chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Lund can pounce on him.
Bird bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Bird has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bird jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Lund walks away with a smile on his face. Bird gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Aaron Lund is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Bird crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Lund - the referee stops the clock and Bird gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Lund. Bird manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
A big left from Lund misses.
Aaron Lund seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lund. Bird does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lund moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Lund misses with a lunging right hand

and Bird counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Bird trying to pass the guard but Lund defending well.
Lund is trying to control but can't.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bird is trying to control the action in half guard but Lund is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Jake Bird is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bird looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jake Bird showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bird, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jake Bird!
A relieved looking Jake Bird thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.