PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Connor Lourens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yaya Koye (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Lourens
vs
Koye

193 cm
25
210 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
210 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Hope MMA: Island Nutritions

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Connor Lourens !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Yaya Koye!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Sandra Marshall and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lourens throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Koye throws a hook to the side of Lourens 's head but Lourens sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Koye shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Lourens eats them both and turns towards Koye to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
A decent looking cross lands there for Koye.
Koye dips to his left and cracks Lourens with an uppercut!
Lourens scores with a crisp jab that stopped Koye in his tracks.
Lourens swinging wildly here.
No joy there for Koye, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lourens lands a body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Koye looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lourens scores with a nice head shot.
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!
Koye looks to clinch
and Koye takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Koye moves in looking to clinch but Lourens pushes him off.
Lourens displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Koye throws out the jab.
A big right from Lourens misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lourens throws an overhand right that lands on Koye's shoulder, as Koye tries to avoid the shot.
It seemed like Koye was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Koye displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lourens throws out the jab.
Koye throws an overhand right that lands on Lourens 's shoulder, as Lourens tries to avoid the shot.
Some wild striking there from Koye.
Koye displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lourens throws out the jab.
Lourens slips a straight right by Koye.
Lourens seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
A swing and a miss from Lourens .
Lourens loads up on a big right hand but Koye slips the punch.
Yaya Koye seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lourens slips under a jab.
Koye lands with a nice body punch.
Lourens closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Koye misses with a jab, cross combination.
Lourens bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Koye's head backwards.
Koye misses with a hook
and Lourens counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
The fighters circle momentarily. Lourens darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Koye tries to clinch
and Lourens counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Lourens slips a jab from Koye.
Lourens looks to land a right hand but Koye moved out of range.
Lourens works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Lourens throws a combination that misses
and Koye counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Lourens swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lourens lands a nice shot to the body.
Lourens bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Koye looks winded!
Lourens slips a straight right by Koye.
Koye tries to clinch up but Lourens circles away and keeps his distance.
Lourens throws a leg kick but Koye moved away.
Lourens connects with a nice looking jab.
Koye scores with a nice head shot.
Lourens is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Lourens keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Koye.
Lourens misses with a body shot.
Koye throws a lazy right hand but Lourens sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koye lands a head shot.
No joy there for Koye, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lourens throws a big shot that misses.
Lourens keeps the fight on the outside.
Koye uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lourens .
Koye lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Koye takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Koye throws a series of punches but Lourens avoids them all with ease.
Lourens looks to land a left hand but Koye moved out of range nicely.
Lourens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Koye looks to throw the jab but Lourens is out of range.
Lourens looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Koye throws out a counter right but Lourens avoids it with no problem.
A jab from Lourens misses.
Koye ducks under a wild hook from Lourens .
Koye slips under a jab from Lourens .
Koye avoids the body shot from Lourens .

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koye scores with a decent looking hook.
Koye waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lourens .
Lourens throwing a counter right hand but Koye manages to avoid it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Koye moves in looking to clinch but Lourens pushes him off.
Lourens throws a jab but it's blocked by Koye.
Koye throws a lazy right hand but Lourens sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lourens bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Koye misses with the combination.
Lourens keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Lourens keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Lourens throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Koye takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Lourens dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Lourens lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Lourens with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Koye to score with a decent uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor Lourens dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

The fight stays on the outside here - Koye looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Koye tries to clinch up but Lourens circles away and keeps his distance.
Lourens swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Lourens ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Koye avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A combination from Lourens does no damage.
Lourens throws a hook but Koye avoids it easily.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Koye, as that shot connected.
Lourens takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Koye throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Lourens looks to throw the jab but Koye is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koye misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A punch lands to the side of Lourens 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Lourens uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Koye.
Lourens slips a straight right by Koye.
Koye doesn't manage to clinch there - Lourens circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koye throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Lourens counters with a stiff right hand.
Koye is breathing heavily.
Koye tries to clinch up but Lourens circles away and keeps his distance.
Lourens is looking to counter punch.
Lourens pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Koye tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lourens swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Koye is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lourens .
Lourens throwing a counter right hand but Koye manages to avoid it.
Nice uppercut there from Lourens .

Lourens lands a big head kick that sends Koye tumbling to the mat! Lourens takes a step backwards and waves Koye back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Yaya Koye has been cut.
Koye tries to clinch up but Lourens circles away and keeps his distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head kick misses from Lourens .
Koye is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've been informed that Koye has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Lourens connects with the punch.
Lourens throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Koye.
Koye ducks under a wild hook from Lourens .
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Koye might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Lourens has got the better of the exchanges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koye tries to clinch but Lourens moves out of range.
Koye tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lourens manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Koye tries to close the distance and clinch but Lourens swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lourens avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Koye takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Koye looks to land a left hand but Lourens moved out of range nicely.
Nice straight punches there by Koye. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Koye.
Lourens is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Koye can do to turn this around?
Lourens swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Koye connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lourens looks to score with a jab to the body but Koye is just out of range.
Koye loads up on a big right hand but Lourens slips the punch.
Lourens takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Lourens jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lourens throws a shot from downtown. Koye moves away and avoids it.
Koye slips a straight right by Lourens .
Koye wants to counter the offense by Lourens and move into the clinch position.
Koye misses with a looping left.
Lourens swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Koye.
Lourens digs a good body shot into Koye's ribs.
Koye scores with a jab.
Koye rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lourens moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Lourens misses the target.
Lourens missing with a left hand there. Koye was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lourens throws a half hearted mid kick.
Koye moves away from the strike by Lourens .
Lourens throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lourens ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Yaya Koye is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Koye moves away from the strike by Lourens .
Koye jabs at Lourens 's body.
Lourens moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Lourens sizes up Koye with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Koye tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lourens manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lourens lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Lourens throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Koye drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Lourens scores with a sloppy right hand. Koye should have avoided that one.
Lourens throws a body shot but no joy.
Lourens misses with a wild body shot.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Koye.
Koye wants to clinch up but Lourens keeps it at a distance.
Koye throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Lourens stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Lourens connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Koye momentarily.
Lourens misses with a wild body shot.
Lourens throws a hook to the side of Koye's head but Koye sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Despite the aggression on Koye's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Koye on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Koye misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lourens turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor Lourens dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Yaya Koye's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Lourens uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Koye.
Koye misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lourens is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Koye scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Lourens misses with a body shot
and Koye connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Koye throws a hook to the side of Lourens 's head but Lourens sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Koye lands a jab to the head.
Lourens throws a body shot but no joy.
Koye blocks a jab.
Koye misses with a looping left.
Lourens throws a lazy right hand but Koye sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lourens scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Koye avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Koye might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Koye uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lourens .
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Koye tries to clinch but Lourens moves out of range.
Koye slips a straight right by Lourens .

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koye keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lourens shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Lourens takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Koye fails in his attempt to clinch.
Koye avoids a punch combination nicely.
It seemed like Koye was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Koye scores with a shot to the body.
Lourens has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Lourens takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Koye takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lourens throws a big shot that misses.
Koye throws a left and a right that both miss
and Lourens counters with a head kick. That will keep Koye thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Lourens throws a series of punches but Koye avoids them all with ease.
Lourens cracks a nice hook into Koye's ribs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Koye moves away from the strike by Lourens .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koye keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Koye looks to land a right hand but Lourens moved out of range.
Lourens half committed to a counter leg kick.
Lourens looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Koye misses with a body shot.
Lourens defending well as Koye loads up on a big left hand.
Lourens ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Koye moves away.
Lourens lands a right hook to the body.
Lourens ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Koye moves away.
Lourens lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Koye circles away quickly and effectively.
Koye throws a counter combo.
Koye connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Lourens momentarily.
Lourens throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A countering left hand to the body from Koye misses.
Koye works the jab nicely.
Lourens avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lourens is looking to counter with a body kick.
Koye lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lourens circles away quickly and effectively.
Koye uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lourens .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Lourens .
Koye misses with a double jab.
Lourens circles away from the clinch attempt.
Koye needs to keep his hands up - Lourens had a free shot at his head there.
Lourens misses with a head kick.
Lourens throws a shot to the body.
Lourens throws a body punch but Koye moves out of range.
A big left from Lourens misses.
Koye misses with a hook
and Lourens counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Lourens ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Lourens misses with a body shot.
Lourens scores with a punch to the head.
Lourens avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lourens uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Koye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lourens connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Koye's hands.
Koye tries to clinch but Lourens is having none of it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Koye looks to score with a jab to the body but Lourens is just out of range.
Lourens is looking to counter punch.
Koye uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lourens .
Koye looks to clinch
and Lourens counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Lourens scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Lourens throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lourens tries to land a front kick but Koye steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Koye bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Koye throws a counter combo.
Koye fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Lourens throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Lourens throws a head kick that misses.
Koye steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Lourens .
Yaya Koye has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Connor Lourens is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Koye is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
It looked like Lourens was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Koye.

And that's the end of the fight!
Connor Lourens showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Lourens 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Connor Lourens !