PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Charles Carlyle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Morrow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Morrow is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Final Countdown. Charles Carlyle has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Carlyle
vs
Morrow

177 cm
29
153 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

162 cm
30
159 lbs
14 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

REAR NAKED CHOKE NUTRITION

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Charles Carlyle!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alex Morrow!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, George Francis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morrow misses with a hook.
Morrow takes a swing at Carlyle's ribcage but misses.
Carlyle throws a nice looking combination but Morrow bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Carlyle shoots for a takedown but Morrow saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
No luck for Carlyle with that takedown attempt.

Carlyle throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Morrow tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Carlyle is in Morrow's guard.
Carlyle looking to pass the guard.
Carlyle throws an elbow that misses. Morrow uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Carlyle's guard. Nice move by Morrow!

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Carlyle is looking to sweep but instead, Morrow has passed into half guard.
Morrow wants to pass the guard but Carlyle is defending well.
We've been hearing good reports from Carlyle's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morrow sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Morrow wants to pass the guard but Carlyle is defending well.
Morrow tries to stand but can't do so whilst Carlyle controls his leg.
Morrow stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Carlyle is trying to get back to full guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Morrow in particular looking to stall.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Carlyle moves into full guard.
Morrow sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carlyle seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Morrow sitting in guard here, content to control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Carlyle on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

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.
Morrow connects with a body shot.
Morrow misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Morrow wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Morrow thuds his shin into the meat of Carlyle's side.
Carlyle shoots in but Morrow avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Morrow replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Carlyle blocks it well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charles Carlyle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A punch combination from Morrow misses.
Morrow chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Morrow tries to clinch there but Carlyle circles away.
Carlyle misses with a series of wild punches.
Morrow counters with a body kick.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Morrow feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Carlyle's calf.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Morrow dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Morrow throws a body shot but no joy.
Carlyle feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Morrow's calf.
Morrow rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Carlyle counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Alex Morrow seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Carlyle doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Morrow counters with a nice body shot.

Carlyle tries to keep at a distance but Morrow has taken the fight into the clinch.
Carlyle looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Morrow lands a body shot in the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Carlyle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Carlyle blocks a body shot from Morrow.
Carlyle swings wildly with an uppercut but Morrow uses good head movement to avoid it.
Carlyle is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Morrow is defending well for now.
Morrow looking to stall.
Morrow lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Carlyle backwards.
Morrow has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carlyle taking a breather.
Carlyle misses with a hook from the clinch.
Morrow leaning against his opponent.
Carlyle swings wildly with an uppercut but Morrow uses good head movement to avoid it.
Morrow blocks a body shot from Carlyle.
Carlyle struggles to land a body shot inside as Morrow controls his hands.
Carlyle lands with a light punch inside.
Carlyle misses with an elbow over the top.
Carlyle misses with a hook to the ribs.
Carlyle lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Carlyle fails to land.
Carlyle tries a body shot but Morrow blocks it.
Carlyle blocks an uppercut.
Morrow is stalling here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carlyle lands a left hand.
Carlyle scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Morrow tries to work over Carlyle's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Morrow throws a punch but it's blocked by Carlyle.
Morrow tries to work over Carlyle's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Morrow misses with a hook from the clinch.
Carlyle blocks a body shot from Morrow.
Morrow struggles to land a body shot inside as Carlyle controls his hands.
Morrow is working Carlyle over against the cage.
Carlyle misses with a punch on the inside.
Carlyle misses with a short punch on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Carlyle trying to land knees to the body.
Carlyle misses with a short punch on the inside.
Carlyle misses with a short punch on the inside.
Carlyle creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Morrow's defenses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Carlyle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morrow goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Carlyle holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Morrow tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Morrow wants to stall.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Carlyle creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Morrow lands a left hand.
Morrow wants to stall.
Carlyle misses with an elbow strike.
Carlyle misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Carlyle swings wildly with an uppercut but Morrow uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Morrow.

Carlyle breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Carlyle fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carlyle darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Alex Morrow is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Carlyle misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Morrow.
Morrow lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Carlyle at a distance.
Nice sprawl there from Morrow as Carlyle shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charles Carlyle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Carlyle shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Morrow but Morrow pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Morrow throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Morrow dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Morrow takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A solid leg kick lands there for Morrow.
Carlyle has a takedown stuffed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Charles Carlyle will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Carlyle on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Morrow. Morrow obviously looking to wear him down.
Carlyle on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Morrow throws a leg kick which misses Carlyle's front leg but catches the back leg as Carlyle tries to avoid it.

Carlyle gets the takedown into side control.
Morrow managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Carlyle.

Carlyle tries for a kimura but Morrow is defending well.
Morrow is trying to control Carlyle's posture but Carlyle avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Morrow throws Carlyle to one side and escapes!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Carlyle ducks under a wild hook from Morrow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carlyle scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Carlyle darts in looking for a takedown but Morrow gets double underhooks and turns Carlyle into the cage.
Nice sprawl there from Morrow as Carlyle shoots in.
Morrow throws a jab when Carlyle was well out of range.
Carlyle swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Carlyle looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Morrow turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Carlyle dodges the punch combination from Morrow.
A jab from Carlyle misses.
Morrow scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Carlyle shoots in and drives through. Morrow sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charles Carlyle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Carlyle shoots in and drives through. Morrow sprawls well.
Alex Morrow seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Morrow ducks under a wild hook from Carlyle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Carlyle lands with a nice body punch.

Morrow gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A short left from Morrow.
Carlyle pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Charles Carlyle has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A nice left hand lands by Carlyle.
Morrow has a couple of punches blocked by Carlyle.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Carlyle creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Carlyle blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Morrow avoids the elbow strike from Carlyle, against the cage.
Carlyle throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Carlyle misses with some punches.

Carlyle manages to break the clinch.
Carlyle misses with a hook
and Morrow counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Carlyle throws a right and a left that Morrow avoids nicely.
Morrow connects with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morrow attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Morrow throws a quick inside leg kick.
Morrow changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A combination from Carlyle does no damage.
Morrow lands with a thumping leg kick.
Morrow wants to clinch up but Carlyle keeps it at a distance.
Carlyle was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Carlyle walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Carlyle fails with a takedown attempt.
Morrow connects with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Morrow does it's job there.
Carlyle tries for a takedown but Morrow circles away easily
and Morrow counters with a one-two to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Morrow throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Carlyle takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Carlyle shoots in for a double leg but Morrow sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Morrow has Carlyle up against the cage in a clinch.
Morrow lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Carlyle or not.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Morrow.
A head punch on the inside from Morrow fails to land.
Carlyle tries to throw a body punch but Morrow avoids it by throwing Carlyle back against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Morrow as the two fighters clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Morrow really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A thudding body kick lands there by Morrow!
Morrow connects with an inside leg kick.
Carlyle fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Morrow clinches.

Morrow breaks from the clinch.
Morrow ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Morrow looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morrow misses with a hook
and Carlyle counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Morrow thinking.
Carlyle is trying hard to land a takedown here. Morrow sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Carlyle takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Morrow tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Carlyle was well out of range. Poor timing from Morrow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carlyle bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Morrow's head backwards.
Carlyle showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Morrow.
Carlyle tries for a takedown but Morrow sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charles Carlyle. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Carlyle scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Morrow pushes Carlyle off looking to stand but Carlyle dives back in and keeps control.
Carlyle scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Morrow is concentrating on defense, preventing Carlyle from advancing position.

Carlyle wants to work for an arm triangle but Morrow is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Morrow wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morrow trying to control from the bottom.

Carlyle seems to be looking for submissions.
Carlyle is just content to waste time from the top position. Morrow takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

Morrow has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Carlyle is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
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!
Morrow tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Carlyle is trying to maintain a safe position but Morrow gets an underhook and turns Carlyle into the cage.
Morrow avoids a wild elbow strike from Carlyle.
Morrow avoids the elbow strike from Carlyle, against the cage.
Carlyle lands an elbow just above Morrow 's eye.
Morrow swings wildly with an uppercut but Carlyle uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morrow lands a body shot in the clinch.
Morrow tries a body shot but Carlyle blocks it.
Carlyle lands an uppercut.
Carlyle is trying to break the clinch but Morrow is controlling him.
Carlyle swings wildly with an uppercut but Morrow uses good head movement to avoid it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Morrow.
Morrow lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Carlyle has a couple of punches blocked by Morrow.
Morrow doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Morrow blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Carlyle.
Carlyle swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Carlyle escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morrow throws a nice looking combination but Carlyle bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Carlyle on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Morrow misses with a body kick.
Morrow bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Morrow stuffs the takedown.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Carlyle fails with a takedown attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Morrow looks to score with a jab to the body but Carlyle is just out of range.
Morrow slips a jab and a cross from Carlyle.
Morrow throws a body shot but no joy.
Carlyle takes one on the chin but seems OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Morrow dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Morrow lands a really nice looking cross but Carlyle seems unphased.
Morrow throws a series of punches but Carlyle moves out of range.
Carlyle tries to score a power double leg takedown but Morrow sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Carlyle somewhat.
Morrow steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Carlyle.
Morrow throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Carlyle shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Morrow pinned against the cage. Morrow gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A good leg kick by Morrow.
Carlyle is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Carlyle gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Morrow counters by moving into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charles Carlyle. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morrow misses with a body punch.
Carlyle lands a left hand.
Carlyle dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Morrow doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Carlyle just misses with a elbow thrown towards Morrow's brow.
Carlyle misses with the head strike.
Carlyle misses with some punches.
A short left from Carlyle.
Carlyle is leaning against Morrow and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Carlyle misses with a short punch on the inside.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Carlyle just misses with a elbow thrown towards Morrow's brow.
Carlyle working aggressively here.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Carlyle creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Charles Carlyle has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carlyle trying to land knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Carlyle fails to land.
Morrow lands a body punch.
Morrow pushes Carlyle back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Morrow lands a right hand.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Carlyle.
Carlyle lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Morrow backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stalling in the clinch from Carlyle.
Carlyle working aggressively here.
Morrow cracks Carlyle with a nice body shot.
Morrow lands with a light punch inside.
Carlyle looking to slow down the pace here.
Carlyle tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Morrow can't find room to land a body shot as Carlyle controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Carlyle.
Morrow works on Carlyle's body with a couple of short punches.
Morrow tries a body shot but Carlyle blocks it.
Morrow has Carlyle pressed against the cage, preventing Carlyle from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A short right from Morrow.
Morrow lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Carlyle or not.
Morrow taking a breather.
Morrow pushes Carlyle back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Alex Morrow is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Morrow tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Carlyle has a couple of punches blocked by Morrow.
Carlyle throws a punch but it's blocked by Morrow.
Carlyle working aggressively here.
Come on Carlyle - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Carlyle.
Morrow misses with a punch on the inside.
Carlyle lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Carlyle creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Carlyle with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Carlyle misses with an elbow strike.
Carlyle misses with a hook from the clinch.
Carlyle goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
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!
Carlyle misses with a hook from the clinch.
Morrow avoiding damage as Carlyle throws knees to the body.
Carlyle tries to circle away but Morrow has him pinned against the cage.

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 Charles Carlyle.
I think Morrow 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 47:48
Judge George Francis scores the fight 47:48
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Morrow!
Alex Morrow is the new lightweight champion!
Alex Morrow seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.