PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hazrullah Semsi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and CJ Lyons (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Semsi
vs
Lyons

180 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

179 cm
18
200 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Sully's Bar & Grill

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Hazrullah Semsi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, CJ Lyons!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Richard Clark and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lyons throws an overhand right that lands on Semsi's shoulder, as Semsi tries to avoid the shot.
Semsi tries to grapple but his opponent circles

so Lyons counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Semsi can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Lyons controls the pace.

Semsi has his foot on Lyons's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lyons works his way back into a safe position though.
Semsi keeping full guard, as Lyons tries to pass.

Semsi looking for a guillotine here but Lyons defends easily.
Lyons must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lyons controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lyons stops Semsi from standing up.
Lyons sitting in guard here, content to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Semsi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lyons defends it easily.
Semsi being controlled here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Let's hope that Lyons has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Semsi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Lyons's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Semsi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lyons, pushing him back against the cage.

Semsi lands a takedown into guard.
Semsi trying to control the position from guard on top but Lyons is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Semsi is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Lyons is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Lyons working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Semsi.
Lyons keeping full guard, as Semsi tries to pass.
Lyons really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Semsi. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Lyons seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lyons looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Semsi controls from within his opponent's guard.
Semsi being controlled here momentarily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hazrullah Semsi dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Lyons looks to score with a jab to the body but Semsi is just out of range.

Semsi drives through with a takedown into guard.
Semsi wants to get up but he can't break Lyons's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Semsi wants to control from the top but Lyons keeps moving.
Semsi advances to half guard.
Semsi is looking to take a break and control but Lyons is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Semsi is really struggling to control Lyons but he's trying to hold on to the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Semsi prevents Lyons from improving his position.
Semsi wants to take a breather but Lyons is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lyons is looking for a sweep. Semsi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Lyons is still trying to improve position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Lyons can do anything to dispel that myth.
Lyons moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Semsi drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Semsi jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Semsi trying to control the position from guard on top but Lyons is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Lyons is looking for a triangle but Semsi pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Lyons is adopting a defensive guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Semsi gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Lyons counters with a takedown into side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Semsi is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Lyons's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Semsi wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lyons looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Lyons works his way into side control.
Semsi is looking to regain half guard here but Lyons keeps moving and retains side control.
You can see the frustration on Semsi's face as Lyons controls the position.
Hazrullah Semsi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Semsi manages to work his way to half guard, despite Lyons's best efforts.
Semsi is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Lyons's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Lyons's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lyons is really stuck here.
Semsi doesn't have the hooks in and Lyons manages to turn into his guard.
Lyons's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Semsi wants to control but Lyons passes easily into half guard.
Lyons with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Lyons is continuing to stall.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lyons trying to pass the guard but Semsi defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but CJ Lyons will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Lyons tries to sprawl but Semsi drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Semsi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lyons keeps working.
Lyons is trying to get back to full guard.
Lyons is refusing to be controlled, as Semsi sits in half guard.

Semsi looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lyons is positioning himself well to prevent Semsi advancing to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lyons blocking the ground and pound attempt from Semsi.
Semsi is looking to take a break and control but Lyons is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Lyons is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Semsi pulls his head out easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Semsi wants to control but Lyons is keeping him busy.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two 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.

Semsi shoots in and bounces Lyons off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Semsi trying to stand up but can't free himself from Lyons's guard.
Lyons trying to control the position here.
Semsi wants to control from the top but Lyons keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lyons has his hands on Semsi's head, controlling the position.
Lyons keeping moving, preventing Semsi from controlling successfully.
Semsi being controlled here momentarily.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Semsi dives in and scores a takedown into Lyons's guard.
Lyons keeping moving, preventing Semsi from controlling successfully.

Semsi drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Semsi jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Semsi stands and steps away. Lyons gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Semsi drives through with a takedown into Lyons's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lyons managing to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hazrullah Semsi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Semsi has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 James Glass scores the fight 30:28
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hazrullah Semsi!