PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Len Richmond (ranked 8415 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kevin Lester (ranked 6573 p4p, 0 weight class). Kevin Lester has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Richmond
vs
Lester

199 cm
22
215 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

187 cm
25
204 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Len Richmond!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kevin Lester !
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Richmond displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lester .
Richmond wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Lester misses with a double jab.
Richmond drops down looking for a counter takedown but Lester sprawls and moves away.

Lester has taken the fight to the clinch.
Richmond tries to circle away but Lester has him pinned against the cage.
Lester wants to take the fight to the mat but Richmond manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Richmond's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Lester controlling the action here for a moment.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richmond is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Lester to keep the fight standing.
Richmond is trying to push Lester away but Lester has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Richmond misses with a knee to the head.
Richmond wants to break free but Lester has control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lester 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Richmond shoots in looking for a takedown but Lester manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Richmond's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Richmond goes for a double leg but Lester avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Lester continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Len Richmond. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lester has a takedown stuffed.
Lester throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Richmond counters with a takedown into side control.
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.
Richmond remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Lester is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Richmond will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Richmond swings around for an armbar but Lester sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Richmond's guard.
Lester wants to control from the top but Richmond keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Richmond is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

This has been an exciting period of action!
Lester preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Lester tries to roll over but Richmond keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richmond is keen to just control but Lester is a slippery customer.
Lester wants to get back to full guard.

Richmond 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.

Richmond is trying to work for a kimura but Lester is defending well.
Lester keeping control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Richmond takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Richmond prevents Lester from improving his position.
Richmond is thwarting Lester 's attempts to control the position.
Richmond is trying to control the action in half guard but Lester is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lester pushes Richmond off looking to stand but Richmond dives back in and keeps control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Lester keeping hold of Richmond's head, controlling as best he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Richmond fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kevin Lester 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.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Richmond is defended easily by Lester .
Lester is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Lester is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Richmond's half guard.
Richmond has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Lester is working away from the top position though.
Lester wants to control but Richmond is keeping him busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richmond won't allow Lester to pass to mount.
Lester thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lester wants to control but Richmond is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richmond keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Lester blocks the strikes from Richmond.
Lester takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Lester with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Richmond controlling the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Richmond is trying to maintain the position but Lester is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Richmond controlling the position for now.

Richmond has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Lester is on him like a limpet, forcing Richmond back against the cage.
Lester drops down looking for an ankle pick but Richmond pulls his leg out and moves away.
Richmond shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Lester sprawls well. Lester wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Richmond gets slowly back to his feet.
Lester throws a counter combo.
Lester keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Len Richmond. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lester misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lester keeps Richmond at a distance using the push kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Lester clinches up with Richmond and pushes him back against the cage.

Lester breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Lester dives in and scores a takedown into Richmond's guard.
Lester trying to control but Richmond is working from the bottom.
Richmond wants to get back to his feet but Lester is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Lester tries to free his leg and advance position but Richmond is retaining full guard.
Lester trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lester stands up and waves to Richmond to follow him.
Len Richmond is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Richmond enables Lester to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Richmond manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Lester trying to control the position from guard on top but Richmond is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lester postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Richmond has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Lester has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Lester has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
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!
Lester taking a breather.

Richmond has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Lester uses from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kevin Lester showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're 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.

Richmond tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lester shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Richmond as he avoids it easily.
Lester shoots in but Richmond avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Richmond shoots in for a double leg but Lester sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Richmond scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Lester has one foot on Richmond's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Lester rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Richmond moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lester shoots in for a double leg but Richmond sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Len Richmond has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kevin Lester .

Lester moves into the clinch successfully.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lester tries to score a body lock takedown but Richmond shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Lester manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richmond changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lester tries to avoid it but Richmond manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lester to the ground. Lester escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Lester drives through with a takedown into guard.
Lester has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Richmond is proving hard to escape from.
Lester passes into half guard.
Richmond trying to control from the bottom.
Lester performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Richmond controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richmond trying to control from the bottom.
Richmond taking some punishment here, with Lester in his half guard.
Richmond wants to control but Lester is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Lester blocks the strikes from Richmond.
Lester moves into full mount! Richmond won't be happy about that!
Richmond wants to control but Lester is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richmond has given up his back here.
Lester trying to control.

Lester looking to break Richmond's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Richmond remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Lester will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Richmond tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

Lester swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Richmond is now in Lester 's guard. A big mistake from Lester there, giving up the dominant position!
Lester has Richmond pulled in close to control his posture.
Lester trying to control the position.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Lester holds on and takes a little breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richmond won't allow Lester to sweep him here.
Richmond looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Lester controls Richmond momentarily but Richmond frees himself.
Lester might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Richmond haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lester keeping moving, preventing Richmond from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kevin Lester comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Lester has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kevin Lester !