PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lions Head (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Long (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alex Long will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Head
vs
Long

180 cm
22
220 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
220 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lions Head!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alex Long!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Joseph Jones and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Head misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Head darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Head is looking for a kimura here.
Head trying to control the action but Long is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Head wants to stand but Long has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Head blocks the strikes from Long.
Head seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Long does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Long trying to hold on to Head's head to control him but Head postures up.

Head is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Long flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Long tries to clinch up.
Alex Long seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Long keeps the fight on the outside.
Long misses with an uppercut.
Long wants to clinch

and Head counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Long swings wildly with an uppercut but Head uses good head movement to avoid it.

Head escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Head fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Head wants to clinch
and Long counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Head circles away from the clinch attempt.
Head tries to clinch there but Long circles away.
Good work by Head as he checks the leg kick.
Long misses with the combination.
Long shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Head moves into the clinch.
Head can't break the clinch.
Long wants to break free but Head has control.

Long jumps guard and drags Head to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Long trying to strike off his back.
Head's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Long trying to control the position.
Long wants to sweep here but Head controlling him for the moment.

Head drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Long dives on top into guard.
Long must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Long trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Head looking for a guillotine here but Long defends easily.

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

Head is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Long works over Head with some ground and pound from guard.

Head working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Long doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Long manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Long controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Long trying to control the position from guard on top but Head is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Long wants to stand but Head has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Long avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lions Head dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Long misses with a two punch combination.
A clash of legs there as Head blocks the low kick.
Head throws a right and a left that both miss.
Head misses with a wild combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Head swats away the attempt to clinch by Long.
Head tries to close the distance and clinch up but Long swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Long throws a right and a left that Head avoids nicely.
Head tries to clinch there but Long circles away.
Head ducks under a wild hook from Long.
Long tries to clinch up.
Head avoids a punch combination nicely.
Long gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Head counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Long's guard now.
Head trying to control the position from guard on top but Long is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Head thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Long working for submissions but it's allowed Head to get to half guard.
Long is looking to control Head's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Long avoid being mounted?
Long is trying to get back to full guard.

Head is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Long has managed to free his arm - good work.

Head stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Long to get to his feet.
Long closes the distance but Head moves to the side

so Head counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Head postures up.
Long tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Head trying to control the position from guard on top but Long is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Long had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Head is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Long Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Head's back instead.
Head turns into Long and is now in his guard.

Head has gone for a leg lock! Long slips out almost immediately though and dives into Head's guard.

Head working for a triangle but Long defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Head has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Long can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Head wants to sweep but no luck.
Head keeping moving, preventing Long from controlling successfully.
Head working a defensive guard here.
Head keeping moving, preventing Long from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lions Head dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Head looks to land a combination but Long avoids it well.
Long tries to clinch

and Head moves into the clinch.
Head pressing his opponent against the cage.
Long has had enough of the clinch but Head keeps him there for the moment.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Head tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Long just stands there and leans against the cage.
Head effectively controlling the action here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Long jumps guard.
Head thows a big elbow that misses.

Head thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Long working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Long is trying to push Head off with his feet but Head grabs hold of one of the legs and drops back looking for a submission! He's cranking on one of Long's ankles and Long is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:23 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Ankle Lock). Lions Head!