PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Christian Crespo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Justin Lichfield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Justin Lichfield has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Crespo
vs
Lichfield

165 cm
25
137 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

176 cm
25
137 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Christian Crespo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Justin Lichfield!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Tiny Johnson and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Crespo has taken the fight to the clinch.
Lichfield tries to pull guard but Crespo forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Lichfield jumps into guard, dragging Crespo to the mat.
Crespo trying to control but Lichfield is working from the bottom.
Lichfield looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Lichfield looking for a guillotine here but Crespo defends easily.
Our spies down at at Rabid Dog inform us that Lichfield has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

Lichfield is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Crespo defends well.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Lichfield can do anything to dispel that myth.

Lichfield throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lichfield keeping moving, preventing Crespo from controlling successfully.

Lichfield is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Crespo defends well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Crespo with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crespo throws a big elbow that misses.
Crespo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Lichfield is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Crespo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Lichfield avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Crespo cracks Lichfield with a solid left hand.
Crespo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Crespo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Lichfield has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Crespo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Lichfield looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Crespo got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lichfield has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Crespo has managed to get both his arms back between Lichfield's legs - danger averted.
Lichfield looks winded!
Lichfield has momentary wrist control but Crespo slips an elbow through the middle.

Lichfield looking for a guillotine here but Crespo defends easily.

Lichfield had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Crespo defends it easily.

Lichfield is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Crespo scoring with punches to the head and body.
Crespo scoring with punches to the head and body.

Crespo is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lichfield is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Crespo is aware though and is defending well.
Crespo landing some decent shots from guard.
Crespo stands up over Lichfield, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Crespo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Lichfield looking for a guillotine here but Crespo defends easily.
Crespo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Lichfield escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Crespo gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Crespo postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Lichfield throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crespo lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Crespo trying to control but Lichfield is working from the bottom.

Lichfield has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Crespo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Crespo scoring with some ground and pound.
Crespo working some strikes from top position.
Crespo content to stall in guard here.
Crespo is looking to stand up but Lichfield won't let him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Crespo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Lichfield has his foot on Crespo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Crespo works his way back into a safe position though.

Lichfield is looking for a triangle but Crespo pushes his legs off easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A left and a right from Crespo both land. Nice combination.
Lichfield shoots in but no luck this time.
Crespo lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Crespo is defended easily by Lichfield.

Lichfield dives in and scores a takedown into Crespo's guard.
Lichfield working some strikes from top position.
Lichfield wants to pass the guard but Crespo is keeping the position.
Lichfield is working Crespo over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lichfield landing with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lichfield preventing the sweep.
Lichfield trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lichfield throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Crespo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Justin Lichfield has got the better of the ground game so far.

Lichfield is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Crespo is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Crespo has escaped and now he's on top!

Lichfield is looking for a triangle but Crespo pushes his legs off easily.

Lichfield had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Crespo defends it easily.
Lichfield is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lichfield utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Crespo throwing strikes but missing.

Lichfield has his foot on Crespo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Crespo works his way back into a safe position though.
Crespo distracts Lichfield with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Lichfield looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Crespo passes into half guard.
Crespo seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Crespo lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Crespo is working for a submission of some sort.
Lichfield is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Crespo is trying to control. Lichfield wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lichfield is looking to improve his position.

Lichfield actively working from the bottom here.
Lichfield slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Lichfield is looking for a triangle but Crespo pushes his legs off easily.

Lichfield working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Crespo has passed into half guard!

Lichfield looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Lichfield is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Crespo scores with a couple of nice shots.
Lichfield is looking for a sweep. Crespo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Crespo seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Lichfield looking for submissions off his back.

Crespo decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Christian Crespo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Crespo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Crespo throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like Justin Lichfield has been cut.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A punch combination from Crespo misses.
Crespo throws a one two combo.
Crespo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lichfield paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Crespo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lichfield.
Crespo seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian Crespo dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Justin Lichfield's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Lichfield shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Crespo's guard.
Lichfield working some strikes from top position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lichfield accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Crespo is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lichfield trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Crespo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lichfield lands a couple of elbows.
Crespo is trying to keep Lichfield in close.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crespo controlling Lichfield's posture.

Lichfield is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Crespo is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Crespo has escaped and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lichfield working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Crespo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Crespo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lichfield takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Crespo working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Lichfield looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Crespo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Lichfield has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Crespo is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Lichfield.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crespo wants to control but Lichfield is keeping him busy.
Lichfield on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Crespo landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Crespo scores with a couple of short elbows.
Crespo lands a decent elbow from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lichfield manages to work his way to half guard, despite Crespo's best efforts.
Crespo lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Crespo working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Lichfield actively working from the bottom here.
Crespo wants to stand but Lichfield has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crespo is looking to take a break and control but Lichfield is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Lichfield looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Crespo looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Lichfield avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Crespo.
Christian Crespo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Crespo moves into full mount! Lichfield won't be happy about that!
Crespo working the ground and pound effectively.
Lichfield can't escape the position.
Lichfield keeps trying to improve his position.
Crespo looking to control but Lichfield is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crespo working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Lichfield is wriggling around trying to escape.
Crespo lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Lichfield hang on?
Crespo can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Lichfield is looking to escape.
Crespo pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lichfield sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Lichfield is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Crespo pulls his head out easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Christian Crespo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Crespo 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27

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