PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Arion Belial (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and TY Lanni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lanni is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Trumpets And Angels-Falling from the Skys. Arion Belial has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Belial
vs
Lanni

175 cm
18
130 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

150 cm
19
130 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent elbows
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Arion Belial!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, TY Lanni!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, David Schapiro and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lanni throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Lanni. Those never looked like landing.
A punch combination from Lanni misses.
A nice combination there by Belial.
Some wild striking there from Lanni.
Lanni throws a right and a left that Belial avoids nicely.
Belial tries to clinch up.
Lanni tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A nice inside leg kick there by Lanni. That's going to slow Belial down.
Belial connects with a solid leg kick.
Belial misses with a head kick.
Belial tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lanni swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lanni tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Belial is able to avoid easily.
Belial throws a sloppy head kick and Lanni moves out of range easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lanni throws a right and a left that both miss.
Belial shoots in for a takedown but Lanni shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Belial tries to clinch up.
Lanni misses with a jab, cross combination.
Lanni walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Belial checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Lanni tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Belial tries to close the distance and clinch but Lanni swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lanni tries to land a leg kick but Belial saw it coming and moves away.
Belial tests Lanni's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Lanni misses with a wild combination.
Belial tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lanni manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lanni throws a leg kick but Belial sees it coming and moves out of range.
Lanni throws a low kick but Belial avoids it.
Lanni throws a nice looking combination but Belial bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Belial avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Lanni looks winded!
Belial dodges the punch combination from Lanni.
Belial digs a good hook to Lanni's body.
Belial stuns Lanni with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Belial tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lanni manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lanni swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Belial counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Belial shoots in but no luck this time.
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!
Belial is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belial shoots in and drives through. Lanni sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arion Belial. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belial tries to close the distance and clinch but Lanni swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lanni tries to work over Belial's front leg with a kick but Belial checks it.
Belial shoots for a double leg takedown but Lanni sprawls well. He's pushed Belial's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Belial wants to clinch.
Lanni attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Lanni swats away the attempt to clinch by Belial.
Lanni throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Belial.
Lanni keeps the fight on the outside.
A leg kick checked by Belial.
Belial fails with a takedown attempt.
Lanni chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belial tries to clinch there but Lanni circles away.
Belial tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lanni manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Belial has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Lanni.
Belial on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Lanni. Lanni obviously looking to wear him down.
Lanni should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Belial scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A leg kick checked by Belial.
Belial doesn't manage to clinch there - Lanni circles away.
Lanni misses with a series of wild punches.
Belial is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Lanni throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Belial counters with a one-two to the body.
Lanni lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Belial circles away quickly and effectively.
Belial works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Lanni keeps the fight on the outside.
Lanni has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Lanni displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Belial.
Lanni swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Belial throws a nice inside leg kick.
Belial tries to clinch but Lanni is having none of it.
Belial tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lanni manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lanni throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Lanni takes one on the button.
Belial tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lanni sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Belial somewhat.
Belial throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lanni misses with a double jab.
Belial is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Lanni tries to land a leg kick but Belial saw it coming and moves away.
Lanni circles away from the clinch attempt.
A combination from Lanni does no damage.
No luck for Belial with that takedown attempt.
Lanni lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Belial circles away quickly and effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

TY Lanni dominated that round.
That's time! Belial's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nice sprawl there from Lanni as Belial shoots in.

Belial clinches.

Lanni breaks from the clinch.
A punch combination from Lanni misses.
TY Lanni seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Belial throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Belial pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Lanni back to the cage. Belial follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Arion Belial is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A nice inside leg kick there by Lanni. That's going to slow Belial down.
Lanni throws a combination that misses
and Belial counters with an inside leg kick.
Lanni misses with a few strikes there.
Lanni throws a series of punches but Belial moves out of range.
Lanni throws a nice looking combination but Belial bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lanni blocks a head kick by Belial.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Belial!
Lanni fails to land with a series of punches.
Lanni throws a leg kick but Belial sees it coming and moves out of range.
Belial really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Lanni has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Belial.
Lanni is breathing heavily.
Sloppy strikes from Lanni. Those never looked like landing.
Belial throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lanni's waist but Lanni gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Belial off to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belial fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Lanni avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arion Belial. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belial tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lanni swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lanni misses with a few strikes there.
Belial shoots in looking for a takedown. Lanni tries to sprawl out of it but Belial keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Lanni manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Lanni misses with a low kick.
Belial swinging wildly here.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Lanni in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Belial dives in for a single leg takedown but Lanni sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Our sources have told us that Belial has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.

Lanni escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lanni throws a right and a left that Belial avoids nicely.
Belial misses with a double jab.
Lanni lands a nice leg kick that just misses Belial's sensitive parts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Lanni.
Belial closes the distance and clinches up with Lanni, looking for a takedown. Belial pushes Lanni against the cage but Lanni circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Lanni throws a series of strikes that have Belial backpedaling.
Lanni swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Belial to counter with a crisp jab.
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!
Belial tries to clinch there but Lanni circles away.
Belial misses with a takedown attempt - Lanni sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Belial fails with a takedown attempt.
Lanni misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lanni thumps Belial with a low kick.
Belial changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lanni tries to avoid it but Belial manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lanni to the ground. Lanni escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Belial showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Lanni.
Lanni avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belial doesn't manage to clinch there - Lanni circles away.
Belial tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lanni throws a combination that misses
enabling Belial to counter with a crisp jab.
Lanni throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Belial darts in looking for a takedown but Lanni gets double underhooks and turns Belial into the cage.
Lanni has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Lanni pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Belial avoids a punch combination nicely.
Belial feints and then cracks Lanni's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Lanni down.
Lanni gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Belial tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
That kick from Lanni tenderised Belial's leg. Belial is trying to keep his angry face on.
Lanni fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Belial checks it well.
Belial stalks Lanni and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Lanni's face. Lanni staggers backwards, shaken.
Belial is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Belial checks a low kick from Lanni.
Lanni swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Belial counters with a three punch combo that has Lanni backing up. Lanni nods at Belial to acknowledge the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lanni misses with a combination
and Belial counters with a one-two to the body.
Lanni moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Belial tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Belial shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
TY Lanni is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Belial fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lanni looks to land a combination but Belial avoids it well.
Belial shoots in looking for a takedown but Lanni manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Belial's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lanni dodges the punch combination from Belial.
Lanni throws a leg kick but Belial sees it coming and moves out of range.
A combination from Lanni does no damage.
Lanni wants to slow Belial down by chopping away at his legs.
Belial misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Lanni misses with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

TY Lanni showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Belial tries to clinch up but Lanni circles away and keeps his distance.
Lanni looks to land a combination but Belial avoids it well.
Belial fails to land the takedown.
A good leg kick by Lanni.
Belial moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Belial feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Lanni's calf.
Belial pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lanni lands a leg kick that knocks Belial off balance momentarily.
Belial throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lanni.
Lanni throws a leg kick but Belial sees it coming and checks it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lanni checks a leg kick.
Lanni throws a right hand that Belial ducks under and follows up with a left that Belial also avoids with ease.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Belial tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lanni throws a leg kick which misses Belial's front leg but catches the back leg as Belial tries to avoid it.
Lanni lands a leg kick that knocks Belial off balance momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lanni swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Belial counters with a good low kick that Lanni was not able to check.
Belial tries to land a leg kick but Lanni saw it coming and moves away.
A combination from Lanni does no damage.
Lanni attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Left hook, right uppercut from Belial.
Lanni looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Belial rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lanni moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Belial throws a series of punches but Lanni moves out of range.
Lanni shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Lanni tries to bum rush Belial with a series of wild strikes but Belial uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Lanni swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Belial counters with a body kick.
Lanni scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lanni throws a combination that misses
and Belial counters with an inside leg kick.
Belial wants to clinch.
Belial throws a leg kick but Lanni checks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lanni misses with a low kick.
Belial tries a head kick but it misses.
Belial stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Lanni.
A chopping leg kick lands by Lanni.
Lanni misses with a two punch combination.
Lanni misses with a series of wild punches.
Belial looks for a takedown but Lanni sprawls well.
Lanni throws a series of punches but Belial moves out of range.
Belial changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lanni tries to avoid it but Belial manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lanni to the ground. Lanni escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arion Belial. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lanni rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Belial moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lanni scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
TY Lanni seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lanni leaves Belial with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Lanni lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Belial has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Belial and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belial buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sloppy strikes from Lanni. Those never looked like landing.
Belial pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Lanni back to the cage. Belial follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Lanni tried to score with a low kick but Belial checks it.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Lanni lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Belial has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Belial and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Belial goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
A punch combination from Lanni misses.
Belial tries to clinch but Lanni moves out of range.
Belial dodges the punch combination from Lanni.
Belial looks for a takedown but Lanni sprawls well.
Belial doesn't manage to clinch there - Lanni circles away.
Lanni throws a leg kick but Belial sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Belial throws a combination. Lanni tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lanni misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lanni's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Belial tries to clinch but Lanni is having none of it.
Lanni throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Belial tries to clinch but Lanni moves out of range.
Belial throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Lanni throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Belial throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Lanni.
Belial is working the combinations to good effect here.
Lanni with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lanni takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Belial dodges the punch combination from Lanni.
Lanni turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Belial closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lanni circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A leg kick checked by Belial.
Arion Belial has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Belial tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A chopping leg kick lands by Lanni.

And that's the end of the fight!
TY Lanni comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lanni winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... TY Lanni!
An out of breath TY Lanni thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.