PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bernard McCurtney (ranked 4189 p4p, 5196 weight class) and Stark Lizult (ranked 257 p4p, 291 weight class). McCurtney's entrance music is Think Im BasedGod. A fine choice. Bernard McCurtney has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

McCurtney
vs
Lizult

170 cm
18
144
1 - 0 - 0

156 cm
18
134
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bernard McCurtney!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Stark Lizult!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCurtney looks to score with a jab to the body but Lizult is just out of range.
McCurtney wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Lizult closes the distance and pushes McCurtney back into the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Lizult - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Lizult stalling the fight.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
McCurtney is trying to maintain a safe position but Lizult gets an underhook and turns McCurtney into the cage.
McCurtney wants to break free but Lizult has control.
McCurtney tries to circle away but Lizult has him pinned against the cage.
McCurtney is looking to control Lizult's arms but Lizult gets an underhook and turns him. Now McCurtney has his back to the cage.
McCurtney lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Lizult connects with a nasty looking knee right to McCurtney's face.

It looks like Bernard McCurtney has been cut.
Lizult taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
McCurtney tries to stall but Lizult uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Knees to the body from Lizult.
McCurtney tries a body shot but Lizult blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCurtney throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lizults head.
McCurtney wants to stall.
Lizult stalling against the cage.
Lizult stalling.
Lizult has McCurtney pressed against the cage, preventing McCurtney from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
McCurtney wants to get back to striking at distance but Lizult won't allow it.
McCurtney lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Lizult connects with a knee to the head.
Lizult effectively controlling the action here.
Lizult misses with a knee to the head.
McCurtney struggles to land a body shot inside as Lizult controls his hands.
McCurtney is trying to break free.
McCurtney can't break the clinch.

Lizult escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McCurtney digs a good body shot into Lizult's ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lizult gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from McCurtney.
Lizult unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Lizult misses with a knee strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lizult tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lizult landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Lizult displaying some good clinch control by pressing McCurtney up against the cage.
McCurtney looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
McCurtney misses with a body punch.
McCurtney looking to stall.
Lizult unloads a knee to the mid-section. McCurtney lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Lizult prevents McCurtney from breaking the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Lizult should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Lizult working McCurtney over with knees to the body.

Lizult breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCurtney takes a swing at Lizult's ribcage but misses.

McCurtney tries to keep at a distance but Lizult has taken the fight into the clinch.
McCurtney tries to work over Lizult's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Lizult breaks the clinch.
Nice body kick from Lizult.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lizult looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
It looked like McCurtney was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Lizult.
Lizult tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A good leg kick by Lizult.
Lizult throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A looping hook to the body misses from McCurtney. Lizult does a little dance to reset his feet.

Lizult moves into the clinch successfully.
Lizult just leaning against McCurtney, taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCurtney tries to break free but Lizult pushes him back against the cage.
A short uppercut from McCurtney.
Still in the clinch, McCurtney scores with a nice short uppercut.
Lizult keeps the fight in the clinch, despite McCurtney's efforts to push away.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Lizult.
Lizult landing some nice looking knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lizult has McCurtney pushed against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Lizult obliges.
McCurtney lands a nice shot to the body.
Lizult stalling in the clinch.
Lizult with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
McCurtney is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Lizult lands a knee to the head.
McCurtney lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Stark Lizult dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bernard McCurtney's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Lizult closes the distance and pushes McCurtney back into the cage.
Lizult tries a knee to the head but McCurtney blocks it.
Lizult with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Lizult is pushing McCurtney up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
McCurtney goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
McCurtney tries to throw a body punch but Lizult avoids it by throwing McCurtney back against the cage.
McCurtney wants to stall.
A short body shot lands from McCurtney as the two fighters clinch.
McCurtney wants to stall.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Lizult in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lizult lands a knee to the head.
Lizult has McCurtney pressed against the cage.
Lizult displaying some good clinch control by pressing McCurtney up against the cage.
Lizult leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lizult lands a nice knee to the body.
McCurtney takes a knee right on the jaw!
Lizult dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Lizult lands a nice knee to the body.
Lizult lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
McCurtney softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
McCurtney tries to stall but Lizult uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Lizult lands a nice knee to the body.
McCurtney takes a knee to the side of the body.
Lizult tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lizult slowing the pace effectively.
Lizult lands a knee to the body.
The referee is keeping an eye on Lizult - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Lizult stalling the fight.
Lizult continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lizult leaning against his opponent.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Stark Lizult.
McCurtney scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Bernard McCurtney is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lizult tries to clinch but McCurtney moves away
and McCurtney counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
McCurtney scores with a one two! Lizult had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Jab, jab by McCurtney - just one landing.

Lizult darts in and clinches McCurtney up against the cage.
Lizult taking a breather.
McCurtney is trying to break free.
McCurtney taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Lizult's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McCurtney throws a body shot but no joy.
McCurtney shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Lizult eats them both and turns towards McCurtney to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

It looks like Stark Lizult has been cut.
McCurtney takes a head kick and keeps coming.
McCurtney pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Lizult back to the cage. McCurtney follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
McCurtney throws a right and a left that Lizult avoids nicely.
McCurtney connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Lizult is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
It looked like McCurtney was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
McCurtney cracks Lizult with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McCurtney displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lizult lands a nice looking kick to the body. McCurtney takes a step back to recover.
Lizult tries to land a body kick
and McCurtney counters with a lovely shot to the body.
McCurtney throws a predictable looking body shot
and Lizult counters with an outside leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Lizult.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Lizult.
McCurtney is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Lizult throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by McCurtney.
A shot to the liver by McCurtney. Beautiful body shot.
McCurtney throws a body shot but no joy.
As McCurtney backs off Lizult throws a huge counter combo but McCurtney manages to avoid it all.
McCurtney is looking to wear down Lizult with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Lizult looks to throw a body kick
and McCurtney counters with a right hand to the body.
Lizult tries a head kick but it misses.
Lizult lands a high kick!
Lizult is on the wrong end of a nice combination from McCurtney.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Bernard McCurtney will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Lizult takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
McCurtney tries to bum rush Lizult with a series of wild strikes but Lizult uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McCurtney takes a kick to the side of the head.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! McCurtney crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Lizult - the referee stops the clock and McCurtney gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Lizult. McCurtney manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Lizult closes the distance looking to clinch
and McCurtney counters with a left and a right that stings Lizult.
McCurtney misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lizult.
Lizult throws a fast counter high kick but McCurtney manages to duck under it in time.
McCurtney stuns Lizult with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Bernard McCurtney is winning the standup battle so far.

Lizult rushes McCurtney and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
McCurtney trying to stall but Lizult improves his position.
Lizult landing knees to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McCurtney is looking to control Lizult's arms but Lizult gets an underhook and turns him. Now McCurtney has his back to the cage.
McCurtney has had enough of the clinch but Lizult keeps him there for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCurtney takes a knee right on the jaw!
Lizult putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has McCurtney in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
McCurtney trying to stall but Lizult improves his position.
Stark Lizult seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Lizult with a knee to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from McCurtney.
Lizult throws a knee to the head but misses.
Lizult working McCurtney over with knees to the body.
McCurtney tries to circle away but Lizult has him pinned against the cage.
Lizult with an attempt at a knee that misses.
McCurtney is trying to stall.
Lizult scores a nice knee to the body.
Lizult lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
McCurtney is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Lizult is keeping busy.
McCurtney wants to stall.
McCurtney can't seem to implement his control oriented gameplan at the moment. That's no bad thing of course, for those of us who want to see a good fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCurtney has a couple of punches blocked by Lizult.
McCurtney slowing the pace effectively.
Lizult landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lizult taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Lizult landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Lizult unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Lizult breaks the clinch.
McCurtney cracks Lizult with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
McCurtney misses with a series of wild punches.
Lizult is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
A head kick by Lizult misses
and McCurtney counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Lizult showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McCurtney.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCurtney swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lizult is trying to counter with his kicks.
Nice body punch from McCurtney.
Lizult fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt McCurtney.
Lizult throws a head kick but McCurtney moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Lizult.
Lizult delivers a nice body kick.
McCurtney fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lizult looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Lizult throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Lizult tries to clinch up but McCurtney circles away and keeps his distance.
McCurtney fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lizult pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lizult scores with a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCurtney misses with a double jab
and Lizult counters with a nice low kick that buckles McCurtney's knee momentarily.
Lizult plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lizult throws a head kick but McCurtney moves out of range.
Lizult throws the kick towards the body but McCurtney avoids it.
Lizult scores with a head kick. McCurtney tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Lizult on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Lizult gets cracked there but stands up to it.
McCurtney jabs at Lizult's body.
McCurtney tests Lizult's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Lizult moves into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stark Lizult comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lizult 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stark Lizult!