PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lucien Michaelson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cris Bilnes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Michaelson
vs
Bilnes

180 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

181 cm
18
194 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Can Moonwalk

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Lucien Michaelson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cris Bilnes!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Andrew Berry and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Michaelson tries to bum rush Bilnes with a series of wild strikes but Bilnes uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
And Bilnes tries to counter it with a takedown but Michaelson pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Michaelson gets caught flat footed, as Bilnes shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Bilnes working some strikes from top position.
Bilnes prevents Michaelson from getting back to his feet.
Bilnes makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Bilnes scoring with punches to the head and body.
Bilnes is working Michaelson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bilnes lands a couple of digs.
Michaelson is trying to keep Bilnes in close.
Bilnes trying to control the position from guard on top but Michaelson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bilnes lands a couple of decent looking shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bilnes scoring with punches to the head and body.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bilnes content to stall in guard here.
Bilnes scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bilnes scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Bilnes won't allow Michaelson to get back to his feet.
Bilnes with a nice head shot there.
Bilnes connects with a couple of short punches.
Michaelson has momentary wrist control but Bilnes slips an elbow through the middle.
Bilnes scoring with punches to the head and body.
Bilnes has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bilnes makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Bilnes controls from within his opponent's guard.
Bilnes connects with a couple of short punches.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bilnes's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Michaelson keeping moving, preventing Bilnes from controlling successfully.
Bilnes cracks Michaelson with a solid left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bilnes is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Bilnes trying to control but Michaelson is working from the bottom.
Michaelson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Michaelson tries to get out of the position.
Bilnes is working Michaelson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bilnes working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Bilnes is working Michaelson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bilnes chips away with some ground and pound.
Bilnes scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Bilnes passes into half guard.
Michaelson wants to control but Bilnes is keeping busy.
Bilnes is controlling the pace.
Nice strikes from Bilnes there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michaelson is not content to let Bilnes control the position.
Bilnes lands with a punch from half guard.
Bilnes is trying to control the action in half guard but Michaelson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Bilnes is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Michaelson looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Bilnes's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Bilnes winds up and cracks Michaelson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Bilnes sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Bilnes wants to control but Michaelson is keeping him busy.
Bilnes prevents Michaelson from standing back up.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Bilnes slips a nice elbow through Michaelson's hands, connecting with Michaelson's forehead.
Bilnes is nestled in close to Michaelson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Michaelson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Bilnes on the ground.
Michaelson tries to kick Bilnes off but Bilnes keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Bilnes drops an elbow to the side of Michaelson's head.
Bilnes looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Michaelson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Bilnes takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Bilnes landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bilnes 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.
Bilnes drops an elbow to the side of Michaelson's head.
Bilnes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Michaelson keeps working.
Bilnes controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

No luck for Bilnes with that takedown attempt.
Bilnes tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Michaelson was well out of range. Poor timing from Bilnes.
A punch lands to the side of Bilnes 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Bilnes gets a double leg takedown into Michaelson's guard.
Bilnes working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Michaelson's head.
Bilnes cracks Michaelson with a solid left hand.
Bilnes with a nice head shot there.
Bilnes trying to control the position from guard on top but Michaelson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bilnes working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bilnes is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Michaelson wants to stand and escape but Bilnes is having none of it.
Bilnes stands and throws Michaelson's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Michaelson tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bilnes in side control lands a decent elbow.
Michaelson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Bilnes wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Bilnes landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Bilnes works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Bilnes trying to control the position but Michaelson is working away.
Bilnes working the ground and pound.
Michaelson is not content to let Bilnes control the position.
Bilnes works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Bilnes trying to control the position but Michaelson is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bilnes lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bilnes working the ground and pound from side control.
Michaelson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Bilnes asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Bilnes trying to control the position but Michaelson is working away.

Bilnes working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Bilnes creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Bilnes trying to control the position but Michaelson is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bilnes wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Michaelson, who protects the arm well.
Bilnes working the ground and pound.
Michaelson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Bilnes asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Bilnes lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Bilnes wants to control but Michaelson is keeping him busy.
Michaelson throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Michaelson takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Bilnes lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Michaelson tries to bench press Bilnes off him but Bilnes keeps the position.
Bilnes working the body and head with strikes.
A lull in the action here as Bilnes stalls from top position.
Michaelson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Michaelson is not content to let Bilnes control the position.
Bilnes lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Michaelson takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Michaelson takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Bilnes in side control lands a decent elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cris Bilnes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bilnes fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Michaelson avoids it really well and circles away.
Bilnes looks to land a left hand but Michaelson moved out of range nicely.
Bilnes jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Michaelson defending well as Bilnes loads up on a big left hand.
A left and a right from Michaelson both land. Nice combination.
Michaelson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lucien Michaelson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A swing and a miss from Bilnes.
As Bilnes looks to move away, Michaelson throws a big counter combo but Bilnes just gets out of the way.
Michaelson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Michaelson uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Michaelson wants to clinch.
Michaelson misses with the combination.
A shot to the liver by Bilnes. Beautiful body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michaelson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bilnes's waist but Bilnes gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Michaelson off to one side.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Michaelson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Bilnes looks to land a body kick but Michaelson moved away.
Michaelson staying out of range there.
It looked like Michaelson was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Michaelson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bilnes swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bilnes has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bilnes lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Bilnes misses with a hook.
Bilnes pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bilnes throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Michaelson's waist but Michaelson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bilnes off to one side.
Bilnes lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Bilnes throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bilnes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Michaelson stalks Bilnes and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Bilnes's face. Bilnes staggers backwards, shaken.
Bilnes throws a combination. Michaelson tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Cris Bilnes seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bilnes circles away from the clinch attempt.

Michaelson has managed to clinch.
Michaelson works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Nice body punch from Michaelson - that landed with a thud.
Michaelson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bilnes backwards.
Michaelson has Bilnes pushed against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Michaelson.
Michaelson scores with a shoulder strike.
Michaelson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Good body shot from Michaelson.
Bilnes has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Michaelson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Lucien Michaelson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cris Bilnes.
Michaelson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Michaelson scores with a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michaelson tries to land knees in the clinch but Bilnes avoids the damage to the body.
Bilnes tries for a takedown but Michaelson manages to get underhooks.
Michaelson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Michaelson lands a nice uppercut.
Michaelson looking for a takedown.
Bilnes is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Michaelson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Michaelson blocks a body shot from Bilnes.
Michaelson scores with a shoulder strike.
Bilnes goes for a takedown in the clinch but Michaelson prevents it.

Michaelson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bilnes tries to clinch but Michaelson is having none of it.
Michaelson is looking to clinch but Bilnes is avoiding it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Bilnes.
Bilnes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Michaelson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fight stays on the outside here - Michaelson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Michaelson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Michaelson as Bilnes shoots in.
Michaelson closes the distance and clinches up with Bilnes, looking for a takedown. Michaelson pushes Bilnes against the cage but Bilnes circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Bilnes feints the counter takedown.
Michaelson cracks Bilnes with a good jab.
Bilnes misses with an uppercut. Michaelson saw that one coming.
Bilnes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Michaelson.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Michaelson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bilnes sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Michaelson somewhat.
Michaelson looks to score with a jab to the body but Bilnes is just out of range.
Bilnes drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Michaelson defends it well.
Bilnes keeps the fight on the outside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lucien Michaelson clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bilnes needs to keep his hands up - Michaelson had a free shot at his head there.
Bilnes scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Michaelson doesn't seem bothered though.
Bilnes swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bilnes lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Michaelson circles away quickly and effectively.
Michaelson dives in for a single leg takedown but Bilnes sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bilnes! But no joy.
Bilnes is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Bilnes gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Michaelson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bilnes fails to land with a series of punches.
Michaelson moves away from the strike by Bilnes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bilnes looks to land a right hand but Michaelson moved out of range.
Michaelson moves out of range of the strikes.
Bilnes lands a slapping body shot.
Bilnes jabs Michaelson right on the nose. Michaelson blinks but takes it well.
Bilnes is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Michaelson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bilnes takes a swing at Michaelson's ribcage but misses.
Michaelson is looking to clinch but Bilnes is avoiding it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Michaelson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A punch lands to the side of Bilnes 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Michaelson tries for a takedown but Bilnes sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bilnes drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Michaelson defends it well.

Bilnes shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Bilnes stands and throws Michaelson's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Bilnes cracks Michaelson with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Bilnes is looking to take a break and control but Michaelson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michaelson is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Michaelson on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Bilnes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Michaelson keeps working.
Bilnes scores with punches from side control.
Bilnes lands a few punches from side control.
Michaelson tries to bench press Bilnes off him but Bilnes keeps the position.
Michaelson takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bilnes staying calm.
Bilnes creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Bilnes scores with a couple of short elbows.
Bilnes controlling the position.
Michaelson is trying to control Bilnes's posture but Bilnes avoids it.
Bilnes cracks Michaelson with a big right hand but Michaelson just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Bilnes landing a few strikes.
Bilnes wants to control but Michaelson is keeping him busy.

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.
Michaelson tries to bench press Bilnes off him but Bilnes keeps the position.
Bilnes prevents Michaelson from escaping the position.
Bilnes lands a few punches from side control.
Cris Bilnes has got the better of the ground game so far.
Michaelson is trying to get back to half guard.
Michaelson is working to avoid the ground and pound but Bilnes connects with a decent elbow.
Bilnes landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Bilnes lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Michaelson down.
Bilnes is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Michaelson will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Michaelson is working to avoid the ground and pound but Bilnes connects with a decent elbow.
Bilnes lands a nice forearm strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cris Bilnes dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Bilnes feints a jab promting Michaelson to slip. Bilnes then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Michaelson slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Bilnes cracks Michaelson with an open hand slap.

Michaelson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Michaelson trying to control the position but instead, Bilnes has worked for underhooks and has pushed Michaelson into the cage.
Michaelson misses with a knee strike.
Michaelson is pressed up against the cage. Bilnes has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Michaelson down to the mat. Michaelson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Michaelson has taken the fight to the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bilnes is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Michaelson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A shot in the inside from Michaelson.
A hook to the body from Michaelson.
Michaelson has Bilnes pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Bilnes manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michaelson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Lucien Michaelson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cris Bilnes.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A short left from Michaelson.
Michaelson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Michaelson effectively controlling the action here.
Michaelson taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Michaelson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bilnes throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bilnes misses with a hook.
Michaelson shoots in but no luck this time.
Bilnes changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Nice shot lands for Bilnes.
Bilnes scores with a nice head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michaelson tries to clinch up.
Michaelson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bilnes misses with a kick to the body.

Michaelson moves into the clinch.
Bilnes is working for takedown but Michaelson is calmly controlling the position for now.
Michaelson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bilnes backwards.
Michaelson dodges an elbow strike from Bilnes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Michaelson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Bilnes has Michaelson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Michaelson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Michaelson taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Michaelson pressing his opponent against the cage.
Michaelson effectively controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bilnes wants a takedown but no success here.
Bilnes misses with a punch on the inside.
Michaelson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bilnes backwards.
Bilnes takes a knee right on the jaw!
A short uppercut from Michaelson.
Michaelson pushes Bilnes back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bilnes drops down looking for an ankle pick but Michaelson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Bilnes swats away the attempt to clinch by Michaelson.
Bilnes swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Michaelson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Michaelson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Cris Bilnes is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Michaelson connects with the punch.
Bilnes throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bilnes misses with a hook
and Michaelson counters with a series of strikes. Bilnes will be more careful next time no doubt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Michaelson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bilnes manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Bilnes misses with a few strikes there.
Bilnes misses with a low kick.
Bilnes looks to throw the jab but Michaelson is out of range.

Michaelson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Michaelson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Michaelson gets underhooks to prevent Bilnes's takedown attempt.
Michaelson's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Michaelson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lucien Michaelson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bilnes has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 47:48
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 47:48
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cris Bilnes!
Cris Bilnes is the new middleweight champion!