PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kyle Rad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Carlyle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rad comes to the cage accompanied by Liberation Frequency. Frank Carlyle has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rad
vs
Carlyle

165 cm
22
142 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

150 cm
23
145 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kyle Rad!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Frank Carlyle!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Roosa Järviläinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rad closes the distance and clinches.
Rad controlling the action here for a moment.
Carlyle tries for a takedown. No joy.
Rad trying to control the position but instead, Carlyle has worked for underhooks and has pushed Rad into the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Rad.
Carlyle is working for takedown but Rad is calmly controlling the position for now.

Rad breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Carlyle closes the distance and clinches up with Rad, looking for a takedown. Carlyle pushes Rad against the cage but Rad circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kyle Rad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Carlyle.
Rad tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Carlyle manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Carlyle throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Rad tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Carlyle is in Rad's guard.
Carlyle stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rad swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rad is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rad keeping full guard, as Carlyle tries to pass.
Rad looking to control.
Carlyle pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rad is keeping the position for now.
Rad not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Kyle Rad has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Carlyle is defended easily by Rad.
Rad lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Rad lands with a cross.
Rad lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Rad clinches up with Carlyle and pushes him back against the cage.
Rad dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Rad throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Carlyles head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rad just misses with a elbow thrown towards Carlyle's brow.
Rad is stalling here.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Carlyle is working for takedown but Rad is calmly controlling the position for now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rad gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Carlyle.
Rad lands a left hand that snaps the head of Carlyle backwards.
Carlyle drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rad pulls his leg out and moves away.
Carlyle shoots in for a takedown but Rad shows good takedown defense.

Rad closes the distance and pushes Carlyle back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carlyle tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rad smiles and moves away.
Carlyle swats away the attempt to clinch by Rad.
Rad is looking to clinch but Carlyle is avoiding it.
Rad tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rad tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Carlyle manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rad lunges at Carlyle with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Carlyle's hand.
Rad is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Rad chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Carlyle shoots for a double leg takedown but Rad sprawls well. He's pushed Carlyle's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rad tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Carlyle throws a looping overhand right but Rad ducks down to avoid it.
Rad cracks Carlyle with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Rad throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Carlyle drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rad looking to control.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rad is on top in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Carlyle working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rad.
Rad postures up.
Rad with a flurry of punches that miss.
Carlyle wants to sweep but no luck.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Rad avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Carlyle looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rad is one step ahead there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Carlyle has his hands on Rad's head, controlling the position.
Carlyle working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Rad dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Rad slaps away a takedown attempt from Carlyle, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Carlyle misses with an uppercut.

Rad changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Carlyle looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Carlyle is looking for a sweep.
Rad has control of an arm but Carlyle manages to advance to Rad's back!
Carlyle keeps control of the position as Rad tries to break free.
Rad trying to control the action but Carlyle just sinks the hooks in.
Rad covering up well and avoiding damage.
Carlyle tries to get the hooks in deep but Rad pushed the leg off.
Rad covering up well under a barage of strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carlyle keeps control of the position as Rad tries to break free.
Carlyle is not going to allow Rad to sit and survive in this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Carlyle is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Carlyle's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Rad trying to control the position but Carlyle manages to sink in the hooks.

Carlyle has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Rad has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Frank Carlyle has got the better of the ground game so far.

Carlyle looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Rad is controlling Carlyle 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carlyle keeping moving, preventing Rad from controlling successfully.

Carlyle is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rad defends well.
Carlyle wants to improve his position but instead Rad has moved into half guard.
Rad seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Carlyle does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Rad is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Carlyle sees it coming and defends easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rad throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rad is working for a kimura but Carlyle is defending it quite comfortably.
Carlyle slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Carlyle throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Carlyle looking for a sweep. Not yet Carlyle, not yet.
Rad pushes down on Carlyle's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Rad missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Rad not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Carlyle is looking for a sweep. Rad is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carlyle is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Carlyle wants to control but Rad is keeping busy.
Carlyle tries to get to full guard but Rad has control of the leg.
The fighters are battling for position here. Carlyle manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Rad has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Carlyle had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rad defends it easily.
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!
Rad wants to control from the top but Carlyle keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rad looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Frank Carlyle will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rad swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rad connects with a good right hand that stumbles Carlyle. Carlyle circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Carlyle loads up on a big right hand but Rad slips the punch.
Rad connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rad throws a head kick that half lands.
Rad wants to clinch.
Rad connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Carlyle momentarily.
Carlyle on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Rad keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Carlyle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Carlyle closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Rad tries to buck Carlyle off but Carlyle is having none of it.
Carlyle tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Carlyle trying to control the position but Rad is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carlyle working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Carlyle is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rad has escaped the position, nice work there.
Carlyle tries to move into full mount but can't pass Rad's legs.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Rad is trying to control Carlyle's posture but Carlyle avoids it.

Carlyle goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Rad has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Carlyle but great work by Rad.
Carlyle is not content to let Rad control the position.
Carlyle tries to bench press Rad off him but Rad keeps the position.
Rad will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rad tries for a kimura but Carlyle is defending well.
Rad is looking to take a break and control but Carlyle is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rad tries to move into full mount but can't pass Carlyle's legs.
Carlyle struggling a bit here.

Rad tries for a kimura but Carlyle is defending well.
Rad misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carlyle lands an elbow from the bottom.

Carlyle throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Carlyle tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rad sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Carlyle somewhat.
Rad misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rad lands a leg kick that knocks Carlyle off balance momentarily.
Rad tries to clinch but Carlyle is having none of it.
Carlyle throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rad is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Rad gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Carlyle has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Rad after a bit of a struggle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carlyle dodges an elbow strike from Rad.
Rad slowing the pace effectively.
Rad lands a nice uppercut.
Rad will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Carlyle up against the cage.
Rad trying to stall but Carlyle improves his position.
Rad stalling against the cage.
Rad gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Kyle Rad.

Rad has taken the fight to the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Carlyle is working for takedown but Rad is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kyle Rad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Carlyle.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Rad.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Rad clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rad tries a head kick but it misses.
Carlyle shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rad defends it nicely.
Rad moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Carlyle rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rad moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Carlyle is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Rad scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rad is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rad tries to clinch but Carlyle is having none of it.
Carlyle fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Carlyle is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Rad scores with a nice right hand.
Rad connects with an inside leg kick.
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!

Rad moves into the clinch successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carlyle is working for takedown but Rad is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kyle Rad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Carlyle.
Carlyle drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rad pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rad lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Rad has taken the fight to the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rad.
Rad using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Carlyle has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rad throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Carlyle drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rad pulls his leg out and moves away.

Rad sets himself and throws a head kick that knocks Carlyle to the ground! Rad dives into full mount looking to finish!

Carlyle is rocked!

It looks like Frank Carlyle has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Rad jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Carlyle manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Carlyle is still in real trouble! Can Rad finish him?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rad tries to score with some ground and pound. Carlyle controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Carlyle seems to have recovered his senses.
Carlyle is trying to control Rad's posture but Rad avoids it.
Rad throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Rad wants to control but Carlyle is keeping him busy.

Rad thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Rad looks up at the clock and then as Carlyle takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Rad smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Rad in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Carlyle manages to work his way to half guard, despite Rad's best efforts.
Carlyle gets back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carlyle has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Rad has passed into side control.
Rad misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Carlyle is looking to reverse the position.
Rad wants to control but Carlyle is keeping him busy.
Carlyle stops Rad from passing to mount.
Rad tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Carlyle tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rad wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Rad lands a few punches from side control.
Rad taking a breather here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carlyle holds on to Rad's head and controls the position momentarily.
Carlyle tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rad wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Rad trying to control the action but Carlyle is working from the bottom.
Carlyle struggling a bit here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rad wants to control but Carlyle is keeping him busy.

Rad tries for a kimura but Carlyle is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Rad had his way with Frank Carlyle in that round.
The cut man is working on Frank Carlyle's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Carlyle shoots in for a double leg but Rad sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rad lands a jab to the head.
A lazy left from Carlyle finds it's target.
Frank Carlyle seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rad uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Carlyle.
A head kick misses from Rad.
Carlyle misses with a takedown attempt - Rad sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nice takedown defense from Rad. No joy for Carlyle on that attempt.
Kyle Rad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Carlyle.
Carlyle swings for the body but Rad moves out of range.
Carlyle is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
A slapping leg kick lands for Rad.
Carlyle misses with a combination
and Rad counters with a low kick, right behind Carlyle 's knee.
Rad scores with a nice head shot.
Carlyle's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carlyle takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kyle Rad is winning the standup battle so far.

Rad sets himself and throws a head kick that knocks Carlyle to the ground! Rad dives into full mount looking to finish!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Carlyle looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Rad keeps control of the position as Carlyle tries to break free.
Rad lands a shot to the head.
Rad wants to control but Carlyle is keeping busy.
Carlyle is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

Rad is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Carlyle is defending well though. Rad let's go of the attempt for now.
Carlyle trying to control the action but Rad just sinks the hooks in.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carlyle rolls, trying to escape but Rad keeps control of the position.
Carlyle prevents Rad from getting a body triangle.

Rad is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Carlyle has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Carlyle is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Carlyle trying to control the hands but Rad won't let him.
Kyle Rad is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rad looking for the choke from the back.
Carlyle is keeping busy.
Rad missing with punches from the back.
Carlyle covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Rad is hanging on to Carlyle's back as he tries to escape.
Carlyle controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Carlyle is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rad is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Carlyle is in bad spot here.
Rad is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Carlyle staying busy and making it hard for Rad to control.

Rad is persistently looking for the submission but Carlyle is defending it well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Carlyle turns into Rad and is now in his guard.
Frank Carlyle has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rad is trying to keep Carlyle in close.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kyle Rad showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rad has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 49:46
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 49:46
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kyle Rad!
Kyle Rad retains his bantamweight title!
After winning the bout, Kyle Rad thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.