PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ron Lemieux (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vesa Sykk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lemieux comes to the cage accompanied by Sliwa. Sykk has chosen Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Lemieux
vs
Sykk

179 cm
33
135 lbs
28 - 7 - 0

172 cm
28
155 lbs
19 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conquer
Underworld Clothing

SP Ultimate Nutrition
Mohito Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ron Lemieux!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Vesa Sykk!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Taro Takaoka and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lemieux connects with an inside leg kick.
Sykk jabs Lemieux to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A good leg kick by Sykk.
Lemieux throws a good cross that connects.
Sykk lands a slapping body shot.
Sykk jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lemieux appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Sykk throws a leg kick but Lemieux moved away.
We've been hearing reports that Lemieux has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Sykk connects with a body shot that sends Lemieux's belly button to the back.
Lemieux lands a nice looking body shot.
Sykk throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Sykk drops his hands momentarily and Lemieux takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Sykk throws a jab when Lemieux was well out of range.
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 a hook but Sykk avoids it easily.
Sykk moves forwards but Lemieux connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Decent striking displayed by Lemieux there.
Sykk pivots, looking for a leg kick but Lemieux is out of range and Sykk settles back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sykk gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Lemieux.
Lemieux pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sykk has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Sykk throws a body shot but no joy.
Lemieux misses the shot to the body.
Lemieux really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
A big right from Lemieux misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sykk! But no joy.
Lemieux is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Lemieux avoids the body shot from Sykk.
Sykk scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Lemieux lands with a thumping leg kick.
Lemieux lands with a straight right. Sykk didn't see that one coming.
Sykk attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Lemieux appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Lemieux takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Nice shot lands for Sykk.
Sykk takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sykk misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sykk throws a low kick but Lemieux moves out of range easily.
Lemieux checks a low kick from Sykk.
Sykk just misses with a punch to the body.

Lemieux changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Sykk looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Lemieux wants to control but Sykk is keeping him busy.
Sloppy strikes there by Lemieux.

Lemieux goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Sykk has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Lemieux but great work by Sykk.
Lemieux wants to control but Sykk postures up.
Lemieux manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Sykk working over Lemieux with some ground and pound. Lemieux looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Sykk thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Sykk is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Lemieux has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sykk is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sykk scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Lemieux is looking to control Sykk's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lemieux avoid being mounted?
Lemieux throws a strike from the bottom but Sykk passes into side control!
Lemieux tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sykk lands an elbow.
Lemieux is trying to control Sykk's posture but Sykk avoids it.
Sykk 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 four minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux wants to control but Sykk postures up.
Sykk wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lemieux keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sykk working away.
Sykk is looking to take a break and control but Lemieux is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Lemieux is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Sykk's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Sykk is thwarting Lemieux's attempts to control the position.
Sykk perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Sykk missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vesa Sykk will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sykk ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lemieux moves away.
Sykk will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Lemieux displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sykk.
Vesa Sykk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lemieux lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Lemieux with a nice cross.
Lemieux ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sykk moves away.
Lemieux loads up on a big right hand but Sykk slips the punch.
Ron Lemieux is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lemieux ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sykk moves away.
Sykk is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Lemieux rather than just go for the knockout.
Lemieux lands with a slapping head kick.
Sykk checks a low kick from Lemieux.
Lemieux is looking to slow Sykk down with leg kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sykk takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A left lands for Sykk.
Lemieux throws an overhand right that lands on Sykk's shoulder, as Sykk tries to avoid the shot.
Sykk takes a swing at Lemieux's ribcage but misses.
Sykk pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lemieux half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Sykk tries to score with a low kick but Lemieux moves his leg out of the way.
Lemieux connects with the punch.
Sykk looks to score with a jab to the body but Lemieux is just out of range.
Lemieux blocks a head kick by Sykk.
Sykk fails in his attempt to clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Sykk misses the target.
Lemieux lands a right hook to the body.
Lemieux checks a low kick from Sykk.
Sykk throws a nice looking combination but Lemieux bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sykk is out of range and Lemieux settles back down.
Sykk looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Lemieux throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sykk stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Lemieux takes a swing at Sykk's ribcage but misses.
Lemieux scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lemieux swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Lemieux misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sykk.
Lemieux throws a body kick that misses.
Vesa Sykk is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sykk thuds a left hand into Lemieux's body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Lemieux. That's going to slow Sykk down.
Sykk misses with a double jab

so Lemieux counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Sykk preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lemieux missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux wants to pass the guard but Sykk is keeping the position.

Sykk is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lemieux defends well.
Lemieux passes into half guard.

Sykk is defending against the submission attempts here by Lemieux.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Lemieux here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Lemieux missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Sykk wants to improve his position but Lemieux is controlling well.

Lemieux is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Lemieux wants to work for an arm triangle but Sykk is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Sykk blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lemieux.

Lemieux wants to work for an arm triangle but Sykk is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Lemieux working over Sykk with some ground and pound. Sykk looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Lemieux throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ron Lemieux dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Sykk fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sykk misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lemieux.
A slapping leg kick lands for Lemieux.
Sykk lands an overhand right.
A big left from Sykk misses.
Sykk tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lemieux sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sykk somewhat.
Lemieux throws a jab when Sykk was well out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lemieux on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Lemieux slips under a jab.
A low kick from Sykk is predictable there

and Lemieux counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Lemieux lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Lemieux cracks Sykk with a solid left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sykk wants to sweep but no luck.
Lemieux working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lemieux working some strikes from top position.
Lemieux postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lemieux throwing strikes but missing.
Lemieux wants to control from the top but Sykk keeps moving.

Sykk has his foot on Lemieux's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lemieux works his way back into a safe position though.
Lemieux wants to control from the top but Sykk keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Lemieux throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lemieux wants to pass the guard but Sykk is keeping the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Lemieux stays in close to Sykk's body and controls the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A clash of legs there as Lemieux blocks the low kick.
Lemieux getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Sykk throws a half hearted mid kick.
Lemieux blocks a low kick nicely.
Sykk connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Sykk is looking to clinch.
A solid leg kick lands there for Lemieux.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Sykk misses.
Sykk misses with a low kick.
Sykk pivots, looking for a leg kick but Lemieux is out of range and Sykk settles back down.
Lemieux avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Sykk misses with a two punch combination.
Sykk misses the jab.
Lemieux shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Sykk unleashes a big counter combination but Lemieux bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Jab from Lemieux.
Sykk misses with a straight right.
Lemieux closes the distance and clinches up with Sykk, looking for a takedown. Lemieux pushes Sykk against the cage but Sykk circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Lemieux lands a leg kick that knocks Sykk off balance momentarily.
Lemieux jabs Sykk to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Sykk throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux scores with a body shot.
Sykk connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Lemieux momentarily.
Sykk misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lemieux.
Lemieux connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sykk throws a wild body kick that Lemieux sees coming a mile off.
Sykk lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Sykk uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lemieux.
Sykk is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Lemieux avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sykk is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Sykk on the wrong end of a nice jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ron Lemieux.
Well Lemieux 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:28
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ron Lemieux!
Ron Lemieux took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, VIRAL COMBAT for their support in the buildup to the fight.