PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lemuel Galloway (ranked 7727 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mateusz Ciechan (ranked 6223 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Lemuel Galloway has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Galloway
vs
Ciechan

152 cm
25
162 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

168 cm
25
158 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Decent knees
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lemuel Galloway!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mateusz Ciechan!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Galloway has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ciechan is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Galloway is defending well.
Galloway fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Galloway wants to get back to striking at distance but Ciechan won't allow it.

Ciechan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Ciechan moves into the clinch successfully.
Galloway wants to break the clinch but can't.

Ciechan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ciechan darts in looking for a takedown but Galloway gets double underhooks and turns Ciechan into the cage.
Ciechan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Galloway defends it nicely.
Lemuel Galloway has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mateusz Ciechan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ciechan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Galloway sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Ciechan gets tackled into the cage by Galloway. Galloway maintains the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Ciechan pulls Galloway into guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ciechan can do anything to dispel that myth.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Ciechan holds on and takes a little breather.

Galloway got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ciechan has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Galloway has managed to get both his arms back between Ciechan's legs - danger averted.
Galloway tries to stand but Ciechan is controlling from the bottom.
Galloway has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Galloway throws a big right hand that misses.
Galloway postures up in Ciechan's guard and throws a big left but Ciechan blocks it.
Ciechan controlling the position.
Galloway is looking to work some ground and pound but Ciechan has wrist control.

Ciechan working for a triangle but Galloway defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Galloway accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Galloway throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Galloway loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ciechan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Galloway postures up in Ciechan's guard and throws a big left but Ciechan blocks it.

Ciechan is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Galloway is aware though and is defending well.
Galloway with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Galloway really is built like a bowling ball. I wonder if he'd roll if you pushed him down a hill...

Ciechan throws his legs up looking for a submission but Galloway uses it to pass to side control.
Galloway misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ciechan sneaks out the side door and pushes Galloway away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ciechan. Galloway does a little dance to reset his feet.
Galloway changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ciechan misses with a takedown attempt
letting Galloway counter with a right hand.
Galloway really is a fat lump.
Ciechan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ciechan tries for a takedown but Galloway circles away easily
and Galloway connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The fight stays on the outside here - Galloway looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Ciechan closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Galloway's guard.
Galloway trying to strike off his back.
Ciechan won't allow Galloway to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ciechan slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Galloway trying to control the position.
Ciechan controlling from the top position.

Ciechan stands up from Galloway's guard - Ciechan perhaps looking for a knockout.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Lemuel Galloway will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ciechan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Galloway sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Galloway tries a head kick but it misses.
Ciechan is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Galloway moves in looking to clinch but Ciechan pushes him off.
Ciechan tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Ciechan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Galloway's waist but Galloway gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ciechan off to one side.

Galloway tries to keep at a distance but Ciechan has taken the fight into the clinch.
Galloway fails to pull guard.
Ciechan wants to take the fight to the mat but Galloway manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Lemuel Galloway has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mateusz Ciechan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ciechan leaning against his opponent.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Ciechan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Ciechan clinches up against the cage.

Ciechan gets a trip takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ciechan perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Ciechan stops Galloway from getting back to his feet.

Ciechan stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Galloway to get to his feet.

Ciechan has Galloway up against the cage in a clinch.
Ciechan misses with a punch to the body.

Ciechan gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Galloway moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Ciechan controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ciechan looking to pass the guard.
Ciechan engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ciechan throws a right and a left that Galloway avoids nicely.
Ciechan throws a series of punches but Galloway moves out of range.
Galloway wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Galloway as Ciechan shoots in.
Galloway appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Galloway tries to close the distance and clinch but Ciechan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ciechan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Galloway as he avoids it easily.
Ciechan shoots and misses
and Galloway counters with a nice uppercut.

Galloway darts in and clinches Ciechan up against the cage.
Galloway jumps guard but Ciechan turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Ciechan tries to throw a body punch but Galloway avoids it by throwing Ciechan back against the cage.
A short uppercut from Ciechan.

Ciechan manages to break the clinch.
Galloway stuffs the takedown attempt from Ciechan. Ciechan gets slowly back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ciechan misses with a takedown attempt - Galloway sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mateusz Ciechan 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! This is the final round!

Galloway is looking to clinch.
Ciechan tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Galloway defends well and Ciechan ends up having to push Galloway into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
The fighters circle momentarily. Galloway darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Ciechan throws a right hand that Galloway ducks under and follows up with a left that Galloway also avoids with ease.
Ciechan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ciechan misses with a low kick.
Galloway lands a leg kick that knocks Ciechan off balance momentarily.
Mateusz Ciechan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Galloway tries to close the distance and clinch but Ciechan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Ciechan shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Ciechan passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Galloway!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ciechan is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Galloway has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Galloway!
Galloway in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Galloway with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ciechan controlling the position.
Galloway landing with the ground and pound.
Galloway with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Galloway stands and steps away. Ciechan gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Mateusz Ciechan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ciechan shoots for a double leg takedown but Galloway sprawls well. He's pushed Ciechan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Lemuel Galloway has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mateusz Ciechan.

Ciechan clinches.

Ciechan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
No joy there for Ciechan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ciechan with a lazy takedown attempt
and Galloway counters with a nice leg kick.
Ciechan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ciechan misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Galloway will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ciechan lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ciechan is looking to stall here but Galloway recovers full guard.
Ciechan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ciechan controlling from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ciechan throwing strikes from guard but Galloway blocks nicely.

Ciechan decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Galloway, up you get!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ciechan shoots in looking for a takedown. Galloway tries to sprawl out of it but Ciechan keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Galloway manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

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 Lemuel Galloway.
I think Galloway has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mateusz Ciechan!