PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alex Lifeson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gaius Julius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alex Lifeson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Lifeson
vs
Julius

225 cm
22
178 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

179 cm
18
169 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Big heart

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Can Moonwalk

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alex Lifeson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gaius Julius!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Julius shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lifeson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Lifeson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Julius doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Julius manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lifeson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Lifeson tries to get out of the position.
Lifeson managing to control the position.

Julius drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Julius jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Lifeson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Julius 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Julius looking to pass the guard.

Lifeson working for a triangle but Julius defends it easily.

Julius drops back, looking for a kneebar! Lifeson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Lifeson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Lifeson!
Lifeson working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Lifeson working the ground and pound.
Julius is looking to reverse the position.
Lifeson grinds an elbow into Julius's temple.
Lifeson trying to control the action but Julius is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lifeson scores with a couple of short elbows.
Lifeson is putting a hurting on Julius here, landing some big shots from side control.
Lifeson creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lifeson lands an elbow.
Julius manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Lifeson is breathing heavily.

Julius is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Lifeson defends it well.
Lifeson wants to control but Julius is keeping busy.
Lifeson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Julius drops back looking for a leg! Lifeson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Lifeson manages to kick Julius off! Julius jumps back into Lifeson's guard.
Lifeson trying to keep a closed guard but Julius is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lifeson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Julius defends well.

Lifeson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Julius can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Lifeson is looking for a triangle but Julius pushes his legs off easily.
Julius must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Julius 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.

Julius thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Lifeson keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lifeson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Lifeson wants to sweep but no luck.

Julius thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Julius thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Julius got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lifeson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Julius has managed to get both his arms back between Lifeson's legs - danger averted.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Julius drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Julius jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Julius stops Lifeson from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Julius shoots in and gets a takedown into Lifeson's guard.

Lifeson looking for a guillotine here but Julius defends easily.

Lifeson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lifeson wants to stand up but Julius is controlling him.

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

Lifeson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Julius has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lifeson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lifeson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Lifeson stays in close to Julius's body and controls the position.
Lifeson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Lifeson lands a couple of elbows.

Julius is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lifeson is aware though and is defending well.
Lifeson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Lifeson works over Julius with some ground and pound from guard.
Lifeson lands a couple of digs.
Lifeson landing with the ground and pound.
Lifeson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Julius is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Julius is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lifeson defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lifeson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Julius keeping moving, preventing Lifeson from controlling successfully.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lifeson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Lifeson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Lifeson is in close to Julius's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Lifeson pushes down on Julius's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Lifeson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Julius is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lifeson pulls his head out easily.
Lifeson winds up and cracks Julius with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Lifeson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Lifeson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Julius looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lifeson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Lifeson is nestled in close to Julius, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Alex Lifeson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lifeson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Lifeson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Julius is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lifeson pulls his head out easily.
Lifeson working Julius over with strikes.
Well, if Lifeson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Lifeson is looking for a kimura here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lifeson passes to full mount!
Julius is looking to improve his position but Lifeson isn't that keen on the idea.
Lifeson lands a big shot there that rocks Julius but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Julius is in a horrible position here. Lifeson smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Lifeson breaks from Julius's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Julius is trying desperately to improve position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Julius taking shots to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lifeson landing strikes from the mount and Julius is in trouble!
Julius is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Lifeson dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Lifeson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Julius is looking to regain half guard here but Lifeson keeps moving and retains side control.
Julius takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Lifeson landing strikes.
Lifeson landing a few strikes.
Lifeson advances nicely into full mount.
Julius is trying desperately to improve position.

Lifeson looking to secure an arm triangle but Julius defends it well.
Lifeson raining down hammerfists from mount.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lifeson lands a heavy elbow.
Julius really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Lifeson is landing with some decent strikes but Julius is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Julius is desperately trying to improve his position but Lifeson has a good base and remains in mount.
Lifeson dominating with strikes here.
Lifeson scoring with strikes but Julius is staying in there.
Lifeson landing strikes from the mount and Julius is in trouble!
Julius keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Lifeson with the ground and pound from mount.
Lifeson raining down hammerfists from mount.
Lifeson landing shots from mount.
Lifeson tries to control but Julius wriggling away.
Lifeson raining down hammerfists from mount.
Julius tries to reverse the position but Lifeson maintains control.
Lifeson looking to finish Julius with some ground and pound. This is bad for Julius!
Lifeson lands a big shot there that rocks Julius but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Julius bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lifeson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Julius is one step ahead there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Lifeson working for a triangle but Julius defends it easily.
Lifeson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Lifeson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Julius can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Lifeson is looking for a triangle but Julius pushes his legs off easily.
Julius wants to pass the guard but Lifeson is keeping the position.

Lifeson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lifeson is looking to stand up but Julius isn't so interested in that idea.
Julius passes Lifeson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Lifeson actively working from the bottom here.
Lifeson pushes Julius off looking to stand but Julius dives back in and keeps control.

Julius wants to work for an arm triangle but Lifeson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Lifeson actively working from the bottom here.

Julius is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Lifeson gets full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Julius thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Lifeson 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.
Julius prevents Lifeson from getting back to his feet.

Lifeson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Julius defends well.

Lifeson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Julius preventing the sweep.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Julius 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.

Julius has gone for a leg lock! Lifeson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Julius's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Lifeson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Lifeson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Lifeson!
A less than humble Alex Lifeson misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.