PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Early Cuyler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and l l (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). l l is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Cuyler
vs
l

193 cm
19
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

174 cm
22
204 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Early Cuyler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, l l!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Stewart Dunkirk and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cuyler misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

l shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
l must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Cuyler controls l momentarily but l frees himself.
l thows a big elbow that misses.
Cuyler trying to keep a closed guard but l is proving a slippery customer.
Cuyler is really struggling to control l but he's trying to hold on to the position.
l wants to pass the guard but Cuyler is keeping the position.
Cuyler looking for a sweep. Not yet Cuyler, not yet.
l is in close to Cuyler's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
l throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cuyler controls l momentarily but l frees himself.
Cuyler will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
l lands a couple of decent looking shots.
l content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Cuyler controls l momentarily but l frees himself.
l scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
l really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Cuyler. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Cuyler looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
l is looking to work some ground and pound but Cuyler has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
l content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
l is in close to Cuyler's body, working some short punches and elbows.
l postures up.
l throws a big right hand that misses.
l is looking to work some ground and pound but Cuyler has wrist control.
l prevents Cuyler from getting back to his feet.
Cuyler is breathing heavily.
l throwing strikes from guard but Cuyler blocks nicely.

Cuyler looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cuyler is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
l 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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

l changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Cuyler looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
l works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
l grinds an elbow into Cuyler's temple.
Cuyler tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Cuyler stops l from passing to mount.
l lands a nice forearm strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cuyler tries to buck l off but l is having none of it.
Cuyler takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Cuyler is looking for a sweep.
l working the body and head with strikes.
Cuyler is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Cuyler takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
l lands some shots froms side control.
Cuyler is working to avoid the ground and pound but l connects with a decent elbow.
Cuyler struggling a bit here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

l l dominated that round.
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.

l is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Cuyler's half guard.
l takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Cuyler looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
l is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Cuyler tries to roll over but l keeps him under control.
Cuyler has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. l is working away from the top position though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
l 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.
Cuyler is trying to defend against the ground and pound but l scores with a couple of nice shots.
l lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
l seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cuyler is positioning himself well to prevent l advancing to mount.
l landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Cuyler is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
l is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
l seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
l looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Cuyler is trying to get back to full guard.
Cuyler wants to control but l is keeping busy and won't allow it.
l working Cuyler over with strikes.
Cuyler wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cuyler wants to control but l is keeping busy.
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. l connects with a nice short shot to Cuyler's temple.
l slips a nice elbow through Cuyler's hands, connecting with Cuyler's forehead.
l drops an elbow to the side of Cuyler's head.
Cuyler trying to control from the bottom.
l working the head and body with strikes.
l slips a nice elbow through Cuyler's hands, connecting with Cuyler's forehead.
l thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cuyler's head.
Cuyler gets back to full guard.

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.
Cuyler manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
l squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if l can do anything to dispel that myth.
Cuyler landing punches.
l's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
l tries to buck Cuyler off but Cuyler takes his back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

l l showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Cuyler closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Cuyler lands in his opponent's guard.
Cuyler trying to control but l is working from the bottom.
l is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cuyler trying to control but l is working from the bottom.
Cuyler trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
l keeping moving, preventing Cuyler from controlling successfully.
l is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cuyler is controlling him.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

l scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Cuyler is trying to buck l off.
l cracks Cuyler with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
l connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Cuyler some visible discomfort.
An elbow from l crashes against the mat.
Cuyler tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but l wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
l scoring with punches and elbows.
l works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Cuyler is trying to control l's posture but l avoids it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Cuyler drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Cuyler postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cuyler trying to control the position from guard on top but l is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
l is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Cuyler forces his way into half guard.
Cuyler is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Cuyler prevents l from standing back up.
l avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cuyler.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Cuyler stands up from half guard.
Cuyler has his takedown stuffed

and l counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Cuyler avoiding damage under a succession of punches from l.
Cuyler moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
l l is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cuyler looking to hit a scissor sweep but l is one step ahead there.
Cuyler keeping moving, preventing l from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to l l.
Well l has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 26:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... l l!