PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Matt Ryan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sean Sullivan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys are coming into the fight with injuries so let's see if that has a bearing on the fight. Sean Sullivan struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 156.9lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Ryan
vs
Sullivan

195 cm
25
163 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

171 cm
25
161 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Big heart

Dangerous GnP
Counter striker
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matt Ryan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sean Sullivan!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Cecil Peabody and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some wild striking there from Sullivan.
Sullivan looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Sullivan gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Ryan to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ryan trying to control the position from guard on top but Sullivan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sullivan working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ryan.
Sullivan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sullivan really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ryan. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Ryan drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ryan jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Sullivan tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ryan will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ryan working some strikes from top position.
Sullivan wants to sweep but no luck.
Ryan pushing down on Sullivan's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Sullivan controlling the position for now.

Ryan is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Sullivan doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ryan.
Ryan missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sullivan is pressing down on Ryan's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sullivan is trying to control the position but Ryan postures up.
Ryan wants to control from the top but Sullivan keeps moving.

Ryan drops back looking for a leg! Sullivan is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sullivan manages to kick Ryan off! Ryan jumps back into Sullivan's guard.
Ryan throws an elbow that misses. Sullivan uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ryan's guard. Nice move by Sullivan!
Sullivan pushes down on Ryan's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sullivan is looking for a kimura here.
Ryan is trying to maintain the position but Sullivan is very close to passing his half guard.

Ryan looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ryan looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ryan looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sullivan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sullivan drops an elbow to the side of Ryan's head.

Sullivan is looking for a kimura but Ryan is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sullivan to get the leverage.
Sullivan is looking to advance position but Ryan won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Ryan dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sullivan is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ryan's half guard.
Sullivan thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ryan regains full guard. Nicely done.

Ryan working for a triangle but Sullivan defends it easily.

Sullivan is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Ryan is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Ryan has escaped and now he's on top!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sullivan is trying to control the position but Ryan postures up.
Ryan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sullivan is keeping the position for now.
Ryan trying to control but Sullivan is working from the bottom.
Ryan tries to free his leg and advance position but Sullivan is retaining full guard.
Sullivan controls Ryan momentarily but Ryan frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Sean Sullivan was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Sullivan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ryan moves in looking to clinch but Sullivan pushes him off.

Sullivan drives through with a takedown into guard.

Ryan looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Sullivan passes into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sullivan wants to control but Ryan is keeping him busy.
Sullivan might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Ryan kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Ryan struggling a bit here.
Sullivan trying to control the position but Ryan is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Ryan prevents Sullivan from moving into mount.
Ryan regains half guard.
Sullivan wants to pass to mount but Ryan is defending the position.
Sullivan is thwarting Ryan's attempts to control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sullivan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ryan keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Sean Sullivan will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sullivan shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Sullivan was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Ryan is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Sullivan is landing with some decent strikes but Ryan is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Ryan tries to hold on but Sullivan pushes him away.
Ryan sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Sullivan is looking for a kimura here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ryan is trying to control but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sullivan trying to control from half guard but Ryan is working away.
Ryan really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Ryan gets full guard.
Ryan wants to sweep but no luck.

Sullivan got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ryan has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sullivan has managed to get both his arms back between Ryan's legs - danger averted.
Sullivan tries to free his leg and advance position but Ryan is retaining full guard.
Ryan is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ryan has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Sullivan passes Ryan's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ryan wants to control but Sullivan is keeping busy.
Ryan wants to get back to his feet.

Ryan looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sullivan seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ryan does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Ryan looking for submissions off his back.

Ryan looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sullivan working Ryan over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ryan is looking to control Sullivan's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ryan avoid being mounted?
Ryan slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Ryan throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Sullivan has gone for a leg lock! Ryan slips out almost immediately though and dives into Sullivan's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sullivan wants to sweep here but Ryan controlling him for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Ryan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ryan has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Matt Ryan!