PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lucian Bute (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arshad Singh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Singh has chosen Check it out as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Arshad Singh has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bute
vs
Singh

175 cm
25
163 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

176 cm
22
167 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Resistance

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Lucian Bute!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Arshad Singh!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Elvis Blanc and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bute thuds a left hand into Singh's body.
Bute blocks a jab.

Singh connects with a vicious head kick that knocks Bute to the floor! Singh dives in looking for the finish!

Bute is rocked!

It looks like Lucian Bute has been cut.
Bute is trying to get back to full guard.
Oh Bute is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Bute is working hard here to advance position.
Bute seems to have got his legs back now.
Bute is not content to let Singh control the position.
Bute is trying to control but can't.
Singh is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Bute is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Bute moves into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bute looking for a sweep. Not yet Bute, not yet.
Singh looking to pass the guard.

Bute escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Singh gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Bute looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Bute had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Singh defends it easily.
Singh pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bute is keeping the position for now.
Singh is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Bute is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bute is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Singh is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Bute has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Singh can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Singh is pushing down on Bute's leg trying to pass to half guard. Bute is fighting to maintain full guard but Singh has managed to sneak the leg through.

Bute looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Singh seems to be looking for submissions.
Bute trying to control but Singh postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Singh controlling the action here.
Bute keeping hold of Singh's head, controlling as best he can.
Bute tries to roll over but Singh keeps him under control.
Bute wants to control but Singh is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Bute moves into full guard.
Bute looking to control.

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.
Singh slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
You can see the frustration on Bute's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Singh is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Bute is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Bute works his way to full guard. Good work.
Singh postures up.
Singh seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Bute bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Singh's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arshad Singh dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Lucian Bute's cut.
That's time! Bute's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Singh throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bute.
Bute throws a right and a left that both miss.
Singh looks to throw the jab but Bute is out of range.

Bute gets the takedown into side control.

Bute is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Singh is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Bute lands a few punches from side control.
Bute wants to lay and pray for a moment but Singh keeps working.
Singh sneaks back into half guard.
Singh works his way to full guard. Good work.
Bute trying to control the position from guard on top but Singh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Singh controlling Bute's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bute wants to control from the top but Singh keeps moving.
Singh trying to keep a closed guard but Bute is proving a slippery customer.
Singh looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bute is one step ahead there.

Bute drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Singh manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Bute has Singh in his guard.
Singh seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Singh must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

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.
Bute working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Singh.
Bute has control of Singh's left arm, preventing Singh from doing any damage.
Bute is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Singh looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bute is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Singh pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bute is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Singh stopping the sweep attempt from Bute.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Bute.
Bute lands with a shot to the body.

Singh lands a left and a right that sends Bute crashing to the canvas! Singh dives into mount looking to finish!
Bute can't escape the position.
Singh lands with some strikes.
Bute keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bute is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Singh wants to control the pace but Bute is squirming around nicely.
Bute is working to get back to half guard.
Bute is squirming around, avoiding Singh's attempts to control the action.
Bute is desperately trying to improve his position but Singh has a good base and remains in mount.
Singh lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Singh avoids the attempt from Bute to control.
Bute is wriggling around trying to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arshad Singh showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Lucian Bute's cut.
That's time! Bute's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bute avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bute has a takedown stuffed.
Singh misses with a double jab
and Bute counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Singh misses with a jab, cross combination.
Arshad Singh is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Singh shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Bute counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bute swats away the attempt to clinch by Singh.

Bute throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Singh was covering up waiting for the punch and Bute finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Singh looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bute is one step ahead there.
Singh takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Bute drops back looking for a leg! Singh is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Singh manages to kick Bute off! Bute jumps back into Singh's guard.
Bute throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bute postures up.
Bute loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Bute is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Bute trying to control the position from guard on top but Singh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Singh looking for a sweep. Not yet Singh, not yet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Bute avoids the head kick by Singh.

Singh looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Singh is pressing down on Bute's thigh, looking to free his foot. Bute is holding on for now.
Bute tries to roll over but Singh keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bute slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Bute bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Singh's guard.
Singh trying to control the position.
Bute wants to control from the top but Singh keeps moving.
Bute looking to sit in guard and control but Singh gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Singh looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Lucian Bute overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Singh trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bute trying to control the position.

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

Bute closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Singh avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bute.
Singh is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Singh is pressing down on Bute's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Bute throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Singh works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bute trying to control the position from guard on top but Singh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Singh lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Bute!
Bute wants to hold on but Singh pushes him away.
Bute is wriggling around trying to escape.

Singh swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Bute is now in Singh's guard. A big mistake from Singh there, giving up the dominant position!
Bute postures up in Singh's guard and throws a big left but Singh blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lucian Bute clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Lucian Bute's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bute drives through with a takedown into guard.
Singh keeping full guard, as Bute tries to pass.
Bute trying to control but Singh is working from the bottom.
Singh is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Singh keeping moving, preventing Bute from controlling successfully.
Singh manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Bute is wriggling around trying to escape.
Singh controlling from the full mount.
Bute is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bute working to try and regain half guard.
The referee warns Bute that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Bute is in all sorts of trouble here.
Singh looking to control but Bute is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Bute is trying to escape the mount.
Singh tries to control but Bute wriggling away.
Singh takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's two 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.
Bute working to try and regain half guard.
Bute slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Bute is pressing down on Singh's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Bute working a defensive guard but Singh manages to pass into side control anyway.
Bute wants to control but Singh postures up.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Bute is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Singh off and has taken his back!
Bute misses with an elbow to the head.

Bute working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Singh manages to reverse the position and now he's in Bute's guard. Nice work there by Singh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Singh trying to control but Bute is working from the bottom.
Singh won't allow Bute to sweep him here.
Bute is trying to control the position but Singh postures up.
Singh controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Singh trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Singh looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Bute is trying to control the position but Singh postures up.

That's four 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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Bute slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Singh misses with a takedown attempt

and Bute decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Singh's guard.
Bute controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Singh looking to control.
Bute trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bute pushing down on Singh's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Bute is trying to control. Singh wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Singh is looking to improve his position.
Singh is trying to control but Bute passes into side control!

Bute wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Singh, who protects the arm well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lucian Bute had his way with Arshad Singh in that round.
The cut man is working on Lucian Bute's cut.
That's time! Bute's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Singh clinches with his opponent.
Singh digs a right hand underneath Bute's ribcage. Bute let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Bute has Singh pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Singh manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A short uppercut from Singh.

Singh has Bute pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Singh pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Bute tumbling to the mat - Singh dives into Bute's guard.
Singh in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Singh preventing the sweep.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Bute keeping moving, preventing Singh from controlling successfully.
Bute manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Singh is wriggling around trying to escape.
Singh is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Bute swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Singh is now in Bute's guard. A big mistake from Bute there, giving up the dominant position!
Singh looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Bute is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Singh is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

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.

Bute is looking for a triangle but Singh pushes his legs off easily.
Bute is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Singh showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Bute looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Singh controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bute has his foot on Singh's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Singh works his way back into a safe position though.
Singh controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Singh looking to pass the guard.
Singh is stalling in the full guard.

Singh postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Bute is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Singh, into his guard.

That's four 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.
Bute throwing strikes but missing.
Bute thows a big elbow that misses.

Bute got a little sloppy there for a moment and Singh has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bute has managed to get both his arms back between Singh's legs - danger averted.
Singh not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Bute drops back looking for a leg! Singh is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Singh manages to kick Bute off! Bute jumps back into Singh's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bute trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arshad Singh comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Singh 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 47:48
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 47:48
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arshad Singh!
Arshad Singh is the new lightweight champion!