PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lincon Samuals (ranked 1000 p4p, 161 weight class) and Franz Schubert (ranked 5175 p4p, 639 weight class). Samuals comes to the cage accompanied by I Sit I Watch I Wait- Lost Sounds. 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.

Samuals
vs
Schubert

190 cm
25
210 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

198 cm
24
221 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lincon Samuals!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Franz Schubert!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Samuals throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Schubert walks into a jab.

Schubert closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Schubert lands in his opponent's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Samuals manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Schubert wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Schubert is trying to push Samuals away but Samuals has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Samuals stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Samuals keeps control of Schubert as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A head punch on the inside from Samuals fails to land.
Schubert is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Schubert has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Samuals uses from the top position.
Samuals has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Samuals trying to control the position from guard on top but Schubert is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schubert trying to control the position here.
Samuals won't allow Schubert to sweep him here.
Schubert lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Schubert throws a big right hand that misses.

Schubert is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Samuals is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Samuals has escaped and now he's on top!

Schubert is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Samuals defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samuals wants to stand but Schubert is controlling his posture from full guard.
Schubert keeping moving, preventing Samuals from controlling successfully.

Samuals got a little sloppy there for a moment and Schubert has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Samuals has managed to get both his arms back between Schubert's legs - danger averted.
Samuals controls from within his opponent's guard.

Schubert is looking for a triangle but Samuals pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schubert throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Samuals slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Schubert is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Samuals defends well.
Schubert is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Schubert is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Schubert is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Samuals controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Samuals wants to stand but Schubert is controlling his posture from full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Franz Schubert 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 head kick misses from Schubert.
An attempted straight right counter from Samuals misses the target.
Samuals scores with a jab to the body.
Schubert shoots in looking for a takedown but Samuals manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Schubert's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Schubert shoots in but Samuals avoids the takedown attempt easily.
It looked like Samuals wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Franz Schubert is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Schubert throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Samuals's waist but Samuals gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Schubert off to one side.
Lincon Samuals has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Franz Schubert.
Schubert misses with a takedown attempt
and Samuals counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Schubert is defended easily by Samuals.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Samuals lands a leg kick that knocks Schubert off balance momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schubert shoots for a takedown but Samuals saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Schubert tries for a takedown but Samuals circles away easily
and Samuals counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Schubert swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Samuals counters with a low kick, right behind Schubert 's knee.
Schubert shoots in but Samuals avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Schubert fails to land the takedown.
Schubert with a lazy takedown attempt
and Samuals counters with a nice uppercut.
Samuals looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Schubert is breathing heavily.
Samuals throws a head kick but Schubert moves out of range.
Samuals ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Samuals fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Samuals looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Samuals is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Schubert can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Samuals catches Schubert right on the button with a cross.
Samuals throws a good cross that connects.
Lincon Samuals is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Schubert darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Samuals is trying to maintain the position but Schubert is very close to passing his half guard.
Samuals keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Samuals avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Schubert.
Schubert landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Schubert throws a strike but Samuals avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Schubert makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Samuals knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Schubert on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samuals preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Schubert is in close to Samuals's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Schubert advances position into side control!
Schubert throws an elbow but Samuals slips to the side and avoids it well.
Schubert working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Schubert is trying to get an arm triangle but Samuals is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Schubert working the body and head with strikes.
Schubert lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Samuals down.
Samuals dodges the ground and pound from Schubert.

Schubert tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schubert looks up at the clock and then as Samuals takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Schubert smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Schubert misses with the ground and pound.
Samuals wants to get back to his feet but Schubert drags him back down.
Samuals struggling a bit here.
Schubert moves into full mount!
Schubert working the ground and pound effectively.
Schubert has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Schubert scoring with strikes but Samuals is staying in there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Franz Schubert will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

Samuals ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Schubert moves away.
Samuals feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Schubert's calf.
Nice takedown defense from Samuals. No joy for Schubert on that attempt.
Schubert lands with a shot to the body.
Samuals catches Schubert with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Nice uppercut lands for Samuals. That snapped Schubert's head back.
Samuals leaves Schubert with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Samuals jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Schubert.
Lincon Samuals has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Franz Schubert.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Samuals gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Schubert won't allow Samuals to sweep him here.
Schubert passes into half guard.
Schubert wants to pass the guard but Samuals is defending well.
Samuals trying to control but Schubert postures up.
Samuals has hold of Schubert's hands but Schubert slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Samuals is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Schubert scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schubert is pressing down on Samuals's thigh, looking to free his foot. Samuals is holding on for now.
Schubert sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Samuals defending well though.
Schubert lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Schubert not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Samuals avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Schubert.

Schubert is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Schubert is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Samuals defends it well.
Samuals trying to control here.
Lincon Samuals has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Schubert is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Samuals has managed to free his arm - good work.
Schubert working the head and body with strikes.
Franz Schubert is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Schubert is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Samuals is trying to stand.

Schubert is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four 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.

Samuals is defending against the submission attempts here by Schubert.

Schubert is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Schubert performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Franz Schubert comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Schubert winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Franz Schubert!
Our winner, Franz Schubert, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.