PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Samak Tiyapairat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luke Lashley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tiyapairat comes to the cage accompanied by Ram Muay. Lashley is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Hustlin. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Tiyapairat
vs
Lashley

174 cm
32
166 lbs
19 - 10 - 0

168 cm
31
153 lbs
17 - 18 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

High Quality Clothing

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 19 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Samak Tiyapairat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Luke Lashley!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick lands from Tiyapairat.

Lashley has Tiyapairat up against the cage in a clinch.
Tiyapairat misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lashley.
Lashley wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tiyapairat working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Tiyapairat.
Lashley is trying to pull guard but Tiyapairat has him pressed against the cage.
Lashley takes a knee right on the jaw!
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tiyapairat creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Lashley pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Lashley has managed to clinch.
Tiyapairat lands a left hand that snaps the head of Lashley backwards.
Lashley keeps control of Tiyapairat as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tiyapairat is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Lashley is defending well for now.
Tiyapairat putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Lashley in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tiyapairat is working Lashley over against the cage.

Lashley escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lashley shoots in for a double leg but Tiyapairat sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lashley slips a straight right by Tiyapairat.
Lashley shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tiyapairat defends it nicely.
Samak Tiyapairat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luke Lashley.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tiyapairat looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Tiyapairat tries a head kick but it misses.
Tiyapairat displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lashley.
Lashley shoots for a takedown but Tiyapairat saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Tiyapairat throws a right and a left that both miss.
Lashley fails with a takedown attempt.
Lashley shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tiyapairat but Tiyapairat pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Lashley takes the fight into the clinch.
Tiyapairat can't find room to land a body shot as Lashley controls the action.
Tiyapairat misses with an elbow over the top.

Lashley jumps guard and drags Tiyapairat to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Tiyapairat tries to stand but Lashley is controlling from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lashley looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Tiyapairat puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Tiyapairat prevents Lashley from standing back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tiyapairat stands up and beckons Lashley to join him on the feet.
Lashley fails with the takedown.
Tiyapairat tries to clinch there but Lashley circles away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lashley on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lashley has a takedown stuffed.
Lashley shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tiyapairat but Tiyapairat pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tiyapairat is looking to land body kicks.
Tiyapairat defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lashley.
Luke Lashley seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lashley needs to keep his hands up - Tiyapairat had a free shot at his head there.
Lashley dives in and grabs Tiyapairat's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tiyapairat pushes down on Lashley's head and hops out.
Lashley shoots and misses
and Tiyapairat counters with a one-two to the body.
Lashley looks winded!
Tiyapairat works over Lashley's head and body with a nice combination.
Nice uppercut lands for Tiyapairat. That snapped Lashley's head back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Tiyapairat takes the fight into the clinch.

Tiyapairat breaks the clinch.
Tiyapairat throws a push kick but Lashley slaps the foot to one side.
Lashley takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Tiyapairat connects with a leg kick. Lashley looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Lashley displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tiyapairat throws out the jab.
Lashley shoots for a double leg takedown but Tiyapairat sprawls well. He's pushed Lashley's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lashley shoots in for a takedown but Tiyapairat shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Tiyapairat. No joy for Lashley on that attempt.
Tiyapairat lands a leg kick that knocks Lashley off balance momentarily.
Tiyapairat wants to clinch up but Lashley keeps it at a distance.

Tiyapairat has taken the fight to the clinch.

Tiyapairat manages to break the clinch.
Lashley closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tiyapairat circles away.

Tiyapairat gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Lashley on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lashley avoiding damage as Tiyapairat throws knees to the body.
Lashley jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Tiyapairat walks away with a smile on his face. Lashley gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
A head kick misses from Tiyapairat.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lashley.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Tiyapairat closes the distance and clinches.
Tiyapairat lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Lashley blocks a body shot from Tiyapairat.
Lashley is trying to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samak Tiyapairat dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Tiyapairat connects with a leg kick. Lashley looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Tiyapairat lands an overhand right.
Lashley shoots for a takedown but Tiyapairat saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Samak Tiyapairat is winning the standup battle so far.
A slapping body kick lands there for Tiyapairat.

Lashley clinches with his opponent.

Lashley manages to break the clinch.
Tiyapairat throws a shot from downtown. Lashley moves away and avoids it.
Tiyapairat swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Lashley drops his hands momentarily and Tiyapairat takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Tiyapairat misses with a few strikes there.
Lashley shoots in for a takedown but Tiyapairat shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lashley misses with a takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Samak Tiyapairat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luke Lashley.
Horrible takedown by Lashley or perhaps it was just good defense by Tiyapairat which made him look bad.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tiyapairat takes a swing at Lashley's ribcage but misses.
Lashley ducks right into an uppercut from Tiyapairat.
Tiyapairat scores with a nice right hand.

Lashley has Tiyapairat up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lashley fails to pull guard.
Lashley is breathing heavily.

Tiyapairat's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tiyapairat moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Lashley changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tiyapairat tries to avoid it but Lashley manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tiyapairat to the ground. Tiyapairat escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tiyapairat feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Lashleys jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Tiyapairat scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Tiyapairat - that will leave a mark!
Tiyapairat scores with the left hand. Lashley knows he should have avoided that one.
Lashley is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Lashley is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tiyapairat is looking to clinch.
Tiyapairat looks to land a combination but Lashley avoids it well.
Lashley circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tiyapairat lands with a slapping head kick.
Lashley is still on wobbly legs! Can Tiyapairat finish him?
Lashley is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tiyapairat sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Lashley looks for a takedown but Tiyapairat sprawls well.
Lashley seems to have recovered his senses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Lashley closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lashley fails to land the takedown.

Tiyapairat drives through and clinches with Lashley against the cage.
Lashley looking for a takedown.
Tiyapairat tries to stall but Lashley uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Tiyapairat tries to land knees in the clinch but Lashley avoids the damage to the body.
Nice body punch from Tiyapairat.
Tiyapairat throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Lashley wants to take the fight to the mat but Tiyapairat manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Lashley breaks the clinch.
Lashley throws a right hand that Tiyapairat ducks under and follows up with a left that Tiyapairat also avoids with ease.
Tiyapairat is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lashley can do to turn this around?

Tiyapairat closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Lashley takes an elbow to the forehead.
Tiyapairat lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Lashley is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Tiyapairat to keep the fight standing.
Tiyapairat misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lashley can't break the clinch.
Tiyapairat misses with a body punch.
Nice elbow from Tiyapairat.
Lashley on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tiyapairat misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tiyapairat using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Tiyapairat working Lashley over with knees to the body.
Tiyapairat slows down the pace here.
Tiyapairat tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Lashley breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Samak Tiyapairat is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tiyapairat looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Lashley doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lashley closes the distance and clinches up with Tiyapairat, looking for a takedown. Lashley pushes Tiyapairat against the cage but Tiyapairat circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Lashley shoots in and drives through. Tiyapairat sprawls well.

Tiyapairat moves into the clinch.
Lashley blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lashley is looking to take this one to the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tiyapairat crunches a lovely knee into Lashley's ribcage.
Tiyapairat misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lashley.

Tiyapairat's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Good standup being displayed there by Tiyapairat as he connects with a hook.
Tiyapairat slaps away a takedown attempt from Lashley, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lashley.
Tiyapairat lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tiyapairat throws a head kick that half lands.
Samak Tiyapairat is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tiyapairat is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Lashley shoots in and drives through. Tiyapairat sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samak Tiyapairat dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Tiyapairat is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Lashley fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Lashley fails with a takedown attempt.

Tiyapairat lands a big head kick that sends Lashley tumbling to the mat! Tiyapairat takes a step backwards and waves Lashley back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tiyapairat scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Tiyapairat drives through and clinches with Lashley against the cage.
Tiyapairat pushes off an throws an elbow but Lashley leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Tiyapairat misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lashley.
Tiyapairat softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Lashley tries to circle away but Tiyapairat has him pinned against the cage.
Tiyapairat lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Lashley managing to block the knees to the body from Tiyapairat.
Lashley is trying to pull guard but Tiyapairat turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Samak Tiyapairat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luke Lashley.
Lashley takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tiyapairat gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Lashley.
Tiyapairat prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tiyapairat working Lashley over with knees to the body.
Tiyapairat misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lashley.

Lashley ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Lashley no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Tiyapairat wants to get up but he can't break Lashley's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Lashley wants to get back to his feet but Tiyapairat is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Tiyapairat decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lashley drops his hands momentarily and Tiyapairat takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Tiyapairat fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Lashley has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Lashley has a takedown stuffed.
Lashley walks into a stiff left hand from Tiyapairat.
Lashley shoots in for a double leg but Tiyapairat sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tiyapairat lands a leg kick that knocks Lashley off balance momentarily.
Tiyapairat turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tiyapairat works over Lashley's head and body with a nice combination.
Lashley fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tiyapairat avoids it really well and circles away.
Lashley swats away the attempt to clinch by Tiyapairat.
Tiyapairat throws a right and a left that Lashley avoids nicely.
Lashley shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tiyapairat defends it nicely.
An inside leg kick lands from Tiyapairat.
Luke Lashley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tiyapairat gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Lashley throws an elbow that misses. Tiyapairat uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Lashley's guard. Nice move by Tiyapairat!
Tiyapairat would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Tiyapairat stops Lashley from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lashley working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tiyapairat doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tiyapairat manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lashley looking for a sweep. Not yet Lashley, not yet.
Tiyapairat has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Samak Tiyapairat showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tiyapairat, 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27

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