PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tyrian Lanaster (ranked 1773 p4p, 183 weight class) and Swagga Beats (ranked 1701 p4p, 176 weight class). Swagga Beats has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lanaster
vs
Beats

173 cm
27
155 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

165 cm
27
147 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tyrian Lanaster!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Swagga Beats!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, Winston Howard and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lanaster takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Beats lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lanaster at a distance.
Beats misses with a few strikes there.
Lanaster feinted with a counter takedown.
Beats throws a combination that misses

and Lanaster counters with a single leg into guard. Beats didn't expect that.
Beats is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Beats is pulling down on Lanaster's head. It's preventing any offense from Lanaster, at least for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Beats is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Beats wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lanaster wants to control from the top but Beats keeps moving.
Beats looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lanaster is one step ahead there.
Beats pulls Lanaster in to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lanaster avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

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

Beats trying to control the position from guard on top but Lanaster is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Lanaster isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Beats stacks Lanaster on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Beats!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Beats happy to just control the position for now.
Lanaster is looking for a sweep.
My spies in Midnight MMA inform me that Beats has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lanaster tries to escape but Beats is in control.
Lanaster managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Beats.

Beats tries for a kimura but Lanaster is defending well.
Beats advances to full mount.
Beats tries to control but Lanaster wriggling away.

Beats is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Lanaster is surviving well by controlling Beats's body position as best he can.

Beats has control of Lanaster's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Lanaster regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Lanaster working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beats controlling the position easily from mount.
Lanaster sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Beats trying to control from half guard but Lanaster is working away.

Beats is looking for a kimura but Lanaster is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Beats to get the leverage.
Beats trying to pass the guard but Lanaster defending well.
Lanaster is pressing down on Beats's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Beats pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lanaster is keeping the position for now.
Beats loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Lanaster is looking for a triangle but Beats pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lanaster had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Beats defends it easily.

Beats got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lanaster has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Beats has managed to get both his arms back between Lanaster's legs - danger averted.
Beats wants to control from the top but Lanaster keeps moving.
Beats pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lanaster is keeping the position for now.
Beats missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Lanaster escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Beats gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Beats is pushing down on Lanaster's leg trying to pass to half guard. Lanaster is fighting to maintain full guard but Beats has managed to sneak the leg through.

Lanaster looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Swagga Beats dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Beats closes the distance and clinches.

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

Beats closes the distance and clinches.

Beats manages to break the clinch.

Beats throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Lanaster tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Beats is in Lanaster's guard.
Beats slips nicely into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lanaster trying to control from the bottom.

Lanaster looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beats passes to full mount!
Beats has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Beats throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Beats looking to control and managing it successfully.
Beats tries to control but Lanaster wriggling away.
Lanaster keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Lanaster regains half guard.

Lanaster looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Beats passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Lanaster!
Beats misses with a head shot.
Beats trying to control but Lanaster is having none of it.
Beats moves to the back.

Beats looking to break Lanaster's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Lanaster remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Beats will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Beats is trying to stick to Lanaster's back but Lanaster is turning into Beats. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Beats's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Lanaster.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Lanaster drops back, looking for a kneebar! Beats looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Beats looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Beats!

Lanaster is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Beats wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Lanaster, who protects the arm well.
Beats is staying tight to Lanaster's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Lanaster tries to bench press Beats off him but Beats keeps the position.
Beats advances to full mount.
Lanaster is desperately trying to improve his position but Beats has a good base and remains in mount.

Beats working for a guillotine from mount but Lanaster is in no mood to give up.
Beats throws some wild stikes that Lanaster manages to avoid easily.
Beats fails to move to back control.
Swagga Beats has got the better of the ground game so far.
Beats trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Beats swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Lanaster is now in Beats's guard. A big mistake from Beats there, giving up the dominant position!

Lanaster stands and steps away. Beats gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Beats shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Lanaster manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Lanaster looking for a guillotine here but Beats defends easily.
Lanaster wants to sweep here but Beats controlling him for the moment.

Lanaster looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Lanaster had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Beats defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Swagga Beats 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! This is the final round!

Beats lands with a good body shot.
Beats displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Swagga Beats seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Lanaster tries to keep at a distance but Beats has taken the fight into the clinch.
Lanaster blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lanaster has Beats pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Beats manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Beats is pressed up against the cage. Lanaster has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Beats down to the mat. Beats avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Beats looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Lanaster is refusing to be controlled, as Beats sits in half guard.
Beats takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Beats passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Lanaster!
Lanaster is looking to get to half guard.
Beats unloads with some shots from mount but Lanaster bucks and avoids them well.
Beats with shots to the head and body - Lanaster looks very uncomfortable down there.
Beats controlling his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lanaster can't escape the position.
Beats throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Beats controlling from the full mount.
Beats seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Lanaster is holding on tight.
Beats misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Lanaster avoids a series of strikes thrown by Beats.

Beats is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Lanaster can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Beats tries to control but Lanaster wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lanaster is trying desperately to improve position.
Lanaster tries to hold on but Beats postures up.
Lanaster regains half guard.
Beats is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Beats is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Lanaster sees it coming and defends easily.

Beats is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Lanaster is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Beats pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lanaster wants to get back to full guard.

Lanaster is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Beats pulls his head out easily.
Tyrian Lanaster has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Beats is trying to control the action in half guard but Lanaster is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Beats works his way into full mount!
Beats controlling his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lanaster is in all sorts of trouble here.
Swagga Beats is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Beats tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Beats moves to back control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Swagga Beats comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Beats 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 Ben Watson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Swagga Beats!
During a confident post fight interview, Swagga Beats thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.