PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zane Lieu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James San Claire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Lieu
vs
San Claire

180 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
170 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Zane Lieu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, James San Claire!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Robert Douchet and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Lieu, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A combination from Lieu does no damage.
Lieu circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lieu throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck San Claire on the side of the head.

San Claire rushes Lieu and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
San Claire landing knees to the head.

Lieu is trying to trip San Claire. He has hold of a leg but San Claire is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Lieu persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
San Claire working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lieu.
Lieu has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
San Claire is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Lieu looking to sit in guard and control but San Claire gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Lieu is working an open guard so San Claire takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
San Claire is looking to clinch but Lieu is avoiding it.
San Claire is looking to clinch.

Lieu closes the distance and clinches.
The referee is keeping an eye on San Claire - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Knees to the body from San Claire.
Lieu is breathing heavily.
San Claire misses with an elbow strike.
San Claire stops a takedown attempt from Lieu.
San Claire utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
San Claire lands an elbow just above Lieu 's eye.
Lieu takes an elbow to the forehead.
San Claire is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
San Claire lands a damaging elbow.
San Claire with a knee to the head.
San Claire's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Lieu blocks an elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
San Claire slowing the pace effectively.
San Claire throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Lieu can't get the takedown.
San Claire leaning his opponent against the cage.
Lieu looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zane Lieu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
San Claire misses with a knee to the head.
Lieu drops down looking for an ankle pick but San Claire pulls his leg out and moves away.
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!
San Claire clinches but Lieu breaks the clinch

and Lieu counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

San Claire makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

San Claire closes the distance and clinches.
San Claire lands an elbow that stopped Lieu in his tracks for a moment.
Lieu wants to get back to striking at distance but San Claire won't allow it.
San Claire lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
San Claire manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lieu takes an elbow to the forehead.
San Claire lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, San Claire throws an elbow but misses.
San Claire using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lieu has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lieu goes for a takedown in the clinch but San Claire prevents it.
Lieu tries to score a body lock takedown but San Claire shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
San Claire is struggling to control the position.
San Claire throws an elbow but it's blocked.
San Claire misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lieu.
Lieu blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lieu on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
San Claire prevents a takedown attempt there.
San Claire is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Lieu is defending well for now.

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.
San Claire misses with an elbow over the top.
San Claire misses with an elbow over the top.
San Claire is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
San Claire pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
San Claire looking to slow down the pace here.
San Claire misses with an elbow strike.
San Claire tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
San Claire pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Lieu has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. San Claire avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
San Claire stalling against the cage.
San Claire is trying to maintain a safe position but Lieu gets an underhook and turns San Claire into the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
San Claire misses with a knee to the head.
San Claire gets underhooks to prevent Lieu's takedown attempt.
Lieu takes a knee right on the jaw!
San Claire throws a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lieu rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but San Claire moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Lieu closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Lieu has San Claire pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. San Claire manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
San Claire creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Lieu's defenses.
San Claire pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Lieu managing to block the knees to the body from San Claire.
Lieu tries to score a body lock takedown but San Claire shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
San Claire tries to land knees in the clinch but Lieu avoids the damage to the body.
San Claire misses with a knee strike.
The referee is keeping an eye on San Claire - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lieu looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Lieu can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zane Lieu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The referee is keeping an eye on San Claire - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
San Claire lands a knee to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
San Claire trying to control the position but instead, Lieu has worked for underhooks and has pushed San Claire into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as San Claire takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
San Claire has Lieu pressed against the cage, preventing Lieu from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
San Claire missing with knees to the body.
Lieu is trying to maintain a safe position but San Claire gets an underhook and turns Lieu into the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Lieu is working for takedown but San Claire is calmly controlling the position for now.
San Claire displaying some good clinch control by pressing Lieu up against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by James San Claire.
Lieu lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
San Claire tries to clinch but Lieu is having none of it.
Lieu tries to close the distance and clinch up but San Claire swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lieu shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. San Claire defends it nicely.
San Claire looks to clinch
and Lieu counters with a series of strikes. San Claire will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Lieu changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. San Claire tries to avoid it but Lieu manages to keep hold of a leg and drag San Claire to the ground. San Claire escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
San Claire tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Lieu counters with a series of strikes. San Claire will be more careful next time no doubt.
Lieu keeps the fight on the outside.
Lieu connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Lieu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

San Claire closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
San Claire lands a good knee to the midsection. Lieu won't want to take too many of those.
Lieu blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
San Claire tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
San Claire with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lieu is trying to work for a single leg takedown but San Claire pulls him back up using the underhooks.
San Claire gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
San Claire throws an elbow that misses.
San Claire throws an elbow that misses.
Lieu blocks an elbow strike from San Claire.

Lieu breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
San Claire tries to clinch but Lieu is having none of it.
San Claire tries to clinch but Lieu moves away
and Lieu counters with a left to the body.
San Claire defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lieu.
San Claire clinches but Lieu breaks the clinch
and Lieu counters with a series of strikes. San Claire will be more careful next time no doubt.
San Claire tries to clinch up but Lieu circles away and keeps his distance.
San Claire tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lieu paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lieu wants to clinch.
San Claire tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Lieu holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
San Claire gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
San Claire looking to slow down the pace here.
The referee is keeping an eye on San Claire - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
San Claire misses with a knee to the head.
Lieu has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. San Claire is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
San Claire using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lieu has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
San Claire throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
San Claire misses with an elbow strike.

Lieu gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Lieu with the ground and pound but San Claire uses the opportunity to regain guard.

San Claire pushes Lieu off and scrambles back to his feet.

Lieu bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Lieu trying to control the action but San Claire is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lieu taking a breather here.
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 Zane Lieu will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Lieu keeps the fight on the outside.
Lieu swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lieu keeps the fight on the outside.
The fight stays on the outside here - San Claire looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
San Claire tries to clinch

and Lieu counters by moving into the clinch.
James San Claire seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Lieu looking for a takedown.
Lieu blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
San Claire pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
San Claire throws an elbow but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lieu drops to a knee looking for a takedown but San Claire gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Knees to the body from San Claire.
San Claire is pushing Lieu up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lieu takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
San Claire with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Lieu has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. San Claire is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zane Lieu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
San Claire scores a nice knee to the body.
San Claire lands an elbow just above Lieu 's eye.
San Claire taking a breather.
San Claire unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Lieu letting San Claire take a breather here.
San Claire is looking to control Lieu's arms but Lieu gets an underhook and turns him. Now San Claire has his back to the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Lieu.
San Claire lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Lieu is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Nice elbow from San Claire.
San Claire throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Lieu blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
San Claire has Lieu pressed against the cage, preventing Lieu from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Knees in the clinch landing for San Claire.
San Claire lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
San Claire wants to stall.
Lieu can't get the takedown.
San Claire unloads a knee to the mid-section. Lieu lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Lieu avoids a wild elbow strike from San Claire.
San Claire pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
San Claire throws an elbow but it misses.
Lieu avoids the elbow strike from San Claire, against the cage.
San Claire tries to stall but Lieu uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Lieu has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. San Claire is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
San Claire lands a nice knee to the body.
Lieu blocks the elbow strike.
San Claire prevents Lieu from breaking the clinch.
Lieu drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
San Claire is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Lieu is defending well for now.
Lieu takes an elbow to the temple.
San Claire tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Lieu manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Lieu wants to improve his position but instead San Claire has moved into half guard.
Lieu trying to hold on to San Claire's head to control him but San Claire postures up.

San Claire stands up out of the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
San Claire looks to clinch

and Lieu moves into the clinch.
San Claire with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Lieu has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. San Claire is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A knee to the head by San Claire.
Lieu is trying to drag San Claire to the mat but San Claire just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Lieu blocks an elbow strike.
San Claire misses with an elbow over the top.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lieu tries for a takedown but San Claire manages to get underhooks.
Knees to the body from San Claire.
San Claire lands an elbow inside that Lieu shrugs off.
Lieu is looking for a takedown up against the cage. San Claire gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
San Claire creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
James San Claire comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think San Claire 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James San Claire!