PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Linkin Portier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Lemieux (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Portier
vs
Lemieux

185 cm
32
186 lbs
21 - 13 - 2

180 cm
38
172 lbs
47 - 22 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

KnockOut

Namunamu Clothing
GREEN!160

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 21 - 13 - 2, fighting out of New York, Linkin Portier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 47 - 22 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, David Lemieux!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Andrew Berry and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Portier moves into range and connects with a jab.
We've been informed that Lemieux has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

Portier pushes Lemieux up against the cage in a clinch.
Portier effectively controlling the action here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Portier.
Portier is pressed up against the cage. Lemieux has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Portier down to the mat. Portier avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Portier swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Portier slips under a jab from Lemieux.
Portier swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Portier lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lemieux circles away quickly and effectively.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lemieux! But no joy.
Portier misses with a hook.
Portier moves away from the strike by Lemieux.
Portier falls off balance throwing a combination
and Lemieux counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Portier misses with a wild combination.
Lemieux looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Lemieux loads up on a big right hand but Portier slips the punch.
Portier throws a series of strikes that have Lemieux backpedaling.
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!
Portier moves forwards but Lemieux connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Portier tries to clinch up
and Portier takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Portier blocks a jab.
Portier takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Portier uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lemieux.
Lemieux throws a sloppy head kick and Portier moves out of range easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Lemieux lands a left hand that snaps the head of Portier backwards.
Lemieux has a couple of punches blocked by Portier.
Lemieux is trying to maintain a safe position but Portier gets an underhook and turns Lemieux into the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Lemieux.
Lemieux is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A right hook to the body lands for Portier.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Portier lands a body punch.
Lemieux swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Portier tries to work over Lemieux's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Portier can't find room to land a body shot as Lemieux controls the action.
Portier is stalling here.
Lemieux swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Lemieux.
Portier working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Portier goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lemieux is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Portier is defending well.
Linkin Portier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of David Lemieux.
Portier is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Portier has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Portier blocks an elbow strike from Lemieux.
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!
Portier digs a right hand into Lemieux's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Lemieux's gas tank.

Portier's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Portier defending well as Lemieux loads up on a big left hand.
Lemieux looks to land a right hand but Portier moved out of range.
Portier throws a right hand that Lemieux ducks under and follows up with a left that Lemieux also avoids with ease.
Portier tries to clinch there but Lemieux circles away.
Lemieux throws a counter combo.
Lemieux connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Linkin Portier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lemieux tried to score with a low kick but Portier checks it.
Portier uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lemieux.
Portier lands with a nice body punch.
Portier looks to land a right hand but Lemieux moved out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Portier listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Lemieux walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Portier checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Portier uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Lemieux throws a jab but it's blocked by Portier.
A punch combination from Portier misses.
Portier misses with a straight left.
Portier wants to clinch up but Lemieux keeps it at a distance.
A combination from Lemieux does no damage.
Portier takes one on the button.
Portier tries to clinch there but Lemieux circles away.
Lemieux misses with the combination.
Lemieux throws a series of punches but Portier moves out of range.
Portier throws an overhand right that lands on Lemieux's shoulder, as Lemieux tries to avoid the shot.
Nice shot by Lemieux.
Portier thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Lemieux if he has to take too many more of those.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lemieux showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Portier.
Lemieux takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Portier uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lemieux.
Portier ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Lemieux ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Portier fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Portier slips under a jab.
Portier throws an overhand right that lands on Lemieux's shoulder, as Lemieux tries to avoid the shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Portier. Lemieux does a little dance to reset his feet.
Portier lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lemieux circles away quickly and effectively.
Portier tries to score with a low kick but Lemieux moves his leg out of the way.
Lemieux swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Lemieux connects with a looping right hand.
Portier lands with a nice body punch.
Lemieux connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Portier momentarily.
Lemieux pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Portier throws out a loose jab but Lemieux uses good head movement to avoid it.
Portier throws a combination that misses
and Portier takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A combination from Lemieux does no damage.
Portier slips a jab from Lemieux.
Portier throws a series of punches but Lemieux moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Linkin Portier will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

A head kick misses from Portier.
Portier looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Lemieux takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Lemieux cracks Portier with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Lemieux throws the left hand but Portier avoids the punch easily.
Portier throws a big counter combination but Lemieux scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
A leg kick checked by Lemieux.
Portier is looking to slow Lemieux down with leg kicks.
Portier ducks under a wild hook from Lemieux.
Linkin Portier is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lemieux displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Portier throws out the jab.
Portier tries to clinch there but Lemieux circles away.
Portier scores with a jab to the body.
Lemieux scores with a jab. Portier acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Lemieux looks to land a right hand but Portier moved out of range.
Lemieux takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Lemieux throws a right and a left that both miss.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Portier displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lemieux throws out the jab.
Lemieux misses with a jab, cross combination.
Portier will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A combination from Portier does no damage.
Lemieux feints the counter takedown.

Portier rushes Lemieux and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lemieux trying to stall but Portier improves his position.
Lemieux lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Lemieux is looking to control Portier's arms but Portier gets an underhook and turns him. Now Lemieux has his back to the cage.
Lemieux is looking to control Portier's arms but Portier gets an underhook and turns him. Now Lemieux has his back to the cage.
Lemieux seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lemieux.
Portier just leaning against Lemieux, taking a breather.
Lemieux creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Portier escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
David Lemieux seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lemieux throws an overhand right that lands on Portier's shoulder, as Portier tries to avoid the shot.
Lemieux lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Jab from Lemieux.
Portier lands with a shot to the body.
Lemieux throws a nice looking combination but Portier bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Portier misses with a wild body shot.

Portier darts in and clinches Lemieux up against the cage.
Portier looking to slow down the pace here.
Lemieux stalling in the clinch but Portier improves position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux lands a right hand that snaps the head of Portier backwards.
Nice body punch from Lemieux - that landed with a thud.
A shot in the inside from Portier.
This has been an exciting period of action!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lemieux.
Portier manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Portier scores with a shoulder strike.

Portier escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lemieux throws a nice looking combination but Portier bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Lemieux lands with a straight right. Portier didn't see that one coming.
Portier swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Portier staying out of range there.
Portier tries to clinch there but Lemieux circles away.
Portier walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Portier moves out of range as Lemieux throws a body kick.
Portier looks to throw the jab but Lemieux is out of range.
Lemieux slips under a jab from Portier.
Lemieux looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Portier has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Lemieux finds it's way round the side to connect with Portier's head.
Portier fails in his attempt to clinch.
Portier slips a jab from Lemieux.
Portier throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Lemieux stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Lemieux tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
An inside leg kick lands from Lemieux.
Portier tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lemieux swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Portier tries to clinch but Lemieux is having none of it.
Lemieux swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Portier misses with a straight left.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Portier.
Lemieux will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Portier takes a swing at Lemieux's ribcage but misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Portier.
Portier dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lemieux. That did some damage!
Portier changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A nice leg kick lands there from Lemieux.
Lemieux misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Lemieux misses.
Lemieux swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Portier displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Portier!
Portier misses with an uppercut.
Good standup being displayed there by Portier as he connects with a hook.
Lemieux stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Portier.
Lemieux displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Portier throws out the jab.
Lemieux moves away from the strike by Portier.
Decent striking displayed by Lemieux there.
Portier ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lemieux moves away.
Lemieux lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Lemieux swats away the attempt to clinch by Portier.
Lemieux throws a nice looking combination but Portier bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Portier fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lemieux, pushing him back against the cage.
Lemieux stalling.
Portier lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Lemieux scores with an uppercut up the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Linkin Portier will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Lemieux lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Lemieux moves away from the strike by Portier.
Jab by Lemieux.
Sloppy strikes from Portier. Those never looked like landing.
Lemieux goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Portier lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Portier.
Lemieux swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
It looked like Portier was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Portier avoids a punch combination nicely.
Portier just misses with a punch to the body.
Portier scores with a jab to the jaw.
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!
Lemieux throws out a loose jab but Portier uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lemieux chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Lemieux misses the jab.
Lemieux lands a jab.
Portier misses with a hook. Lemieux ducked under it nicely.
A swing and a miss from Lemieux.
Portier misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lemieux lands a head shot.
Portier throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Portier lands a really nice looking cross but Lemieux seems unphased.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Portier.
Lemieux misses with a looping right.
Portier ducks under a wild hook from Lemieux.
Sloppy strikes from Portier. Those never looked like landing.
Portier misses with a few strikes there.
Portier throws a lazy right hand but Lemieux sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Portier scores with a one two! Lemieux had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Portier connects with a body shot.
Lemieux misses with a jab, cross combination.
Portier seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Lemieux throws out a loose jab but Portier uses good head movement to avoid it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Portier throws a right and a left that both miss.
Lemieux is looking for the big counter here.
Good standup being displayed there by Lemieux as he connects with a hook.
Portier dodges the punch combination from Lemieux.
Portier looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Portier has time to react.
Portier moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
The fighters circle momentarily. Lemieux darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A solid leg kick lands there for Portier.
Lemieux circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lemieux lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
No joy there for Lemieux, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lemieux avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Despite the aggression on Lemieux's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Portier fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lemieux looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Portier wants to clinch up but Lemieux keeps it at a distance.
Lemieux misses with a double jab.
Lemieux lands a nice leg kick that just misses Portier's sensitive parts.
Portier pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lemieux catches Portier with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Some wild striking there from Portier.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sloppy strikes from Portier. Those never looked like landing.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lemieux! But no joy.
Lemieux takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Lemieux misses with a few strikes there.

Portier moves into the clinch.
Lemieux lands a left hand that snaps the head of Portier backwards.
Portier prevents a takedown attempt there.
Portier working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
David Lemieux has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lemieux wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Portier has him pressed against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Portier as Lemieux tries to tie him up.
Portier trying to stall but Lemieux improves his position.
A nice left hand lands by Portier.
Lemieux is looking to break free of the clinch but Portier has double underhooks.
Lemieux struggles to land a body shot inside as Portier controls his hands.
Portier lands with a short shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Portier scores with a nice short uppercut.
Portier scores with a hook to the body.
Lemieux takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Portier avoids the elbow strike from Lemieux, against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Portier misses with a hook to the ribs.
Portier working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Portier misses with a punch on the inside.
Portier tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Lemieux is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Portier is keeping busy.

Portier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Portier scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Lemieux misses the jab.
Portier scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Lemieux throws a shot from downtown. Portier moves away and avoids it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Portier slips a straight right by Lemieux.

Portier moves into the clinch successfully.
Linkin Portier has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Portier blocks an uppercut.
Portier blocks a punch to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Linkin Portier showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Portier 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:29

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