PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Orion Soulburn (ranked 1657 p4p, 218 weight class) and Steve Lucas (ranked 2720 p4p, 339 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Orion Soulburn has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Orion Soulburn seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Soulburn
vs
Lucas

185 cm
25
188 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

190 cm
33
193 lbs
16 - 16 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Orion Soulburn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Steve Lucas!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, David Schapiro and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lucas fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Soulburn sprawls well initially but Lucas persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lucas wants to pass the guard but Soulburn is defending well.

Lucas is looking for a kimura but Soulburn is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Lucas to get the leverage.

Lucas is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Soulburn is just riding it out for now. Lucas eventually gives up the hold.
Lucas missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lucas prevents Soulburn from improving his position.
Soulburn controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Lucas is stalling here. Soulburn is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Lucas seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Soulburn has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soulburn controls the position.
Soulburn continues to stall.
Soulburn tries to advance to mount but can't.
Lucas wants to control but Soulburn postures up.
Lucas is looking for a sweep.
Lucas sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Soulburn is pressing down on Lucas's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lucas is holding on for now.

Lucas looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Lucas looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Soulburn sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Lucas punching from the bottom.
We've been hearing that Soulburn has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Lucas is looking to control Soulburn's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lucas avoid being mounted?
Soulburn performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Lucas is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Soulburn pulls his head out easily.
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 Orion Soulburn 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.

Lucas gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Soulburn counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Soulburn tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lucas lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Lucas misses with a takedown
and Soulburn counters with a straight right hand.
A left lands for Soulburn.
Lucas shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Soulburn but Soulburn pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Orion Soulburn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Lucas.
Horrible takedown attempt by Lucas or perhaps it was just good defense by Soulburn, which made it look bad.
Lucas closes the distance and clinches up with Soulburn, looking for a takedown. Lucas pushes Soulburn against the cage but Soulburn circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lucas fails to land the takedown.
Orion Soulburn is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Horrible takedown attempt by Lucas or perhaps it was just good defense by Soulburn, which made it look bad.
Lucas tries for a takedown but Soulburn circles away easily

and Soulburn counters with a leg kick then a big left hand that sends Lucas down! Soulburn is looking to finish but Lucas is intelligently defending himself.

Lucas is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soulburn controlling from the top position.
Lucas is still in real trouble! Can Soulburn finish him?

Lucas is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Lucas seems to have recovered his senses.

Lucas throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lucas is breathing heavily.

Lucas escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Soulburn gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Soulburn seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
More hug and hope from Soulburn.
Soulburn has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Lucas keeping full guard, as Soulburn tries to pass.
Soulburn slips nicely into half guard.
Lucas is looking for a sweep. Soulburn is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Soulburn takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Lucas is looking to control Soulburn's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lucas avoid being mounted?
Soulburn wants to free his trapped foot but Lucas is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Soulburn sitting and controlling from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Orion Soulburn dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Lucas with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Soulburn counter with a right hand.
Soulburn scores with a jab to the head.
Some wild striking there from Soulburn.
Despite the aggression on Lucas's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Lucas tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Soulburn swivels and escapes.
It looked like Soulburn was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Lucas has his takedown stuffed

and Soulburn counters with a flying knee that drops Lucas!
Orion Soulburn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Lucas.

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

Lucas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Soulburn defends well.
Soulburn engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Lucas escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Soulburn gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lucas being controlled here, momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Lucas working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Soulburn doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Soulburn manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Lucas working for a triangle but Soulburn defends it easily.
Soulburn is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Lucas is looking to stand up but Soulburn isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Lucas can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Soulburn controls the pace.
Lucas bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Soulburn's guard.

In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Lucas working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Lucas trying to control but Soulburn is working from the bottom.
Lucas would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Lucas throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lucas would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Lucas being controlled here momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Orion Soulburn clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Lucas closes this distance looking for a takedown but Soulburn circles away.
Lucas shoots in for a takedown but Soulburn shows good takedown defense.
Lucas tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Soulburn swivels and escapes.
Orion Soulburn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Lucas.
Lucas shoots in for a takedown but Soulburn shows good takedown defense.
Lucas dives in and grabs Soulburn's left leg, looking for a takedown. Soulburn pushes down on Lucas's head and hops out.
Lucas shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Soulburn as he avoids it easily.
Soulburn connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Oooh a lovely combination from Soulburn sends Lucas down but not out. Soulburn dives into side control looking to finish.

It looks like Steve Lucas has been cut.
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!
Soulburn taking a breather here.
Lucas is looking for a sweep.
Soulburn controlling the position.
Lucas wants to control but Soulburn postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Soulburn stalls from top position.
Lucas tries to improve position but can't.
Soulburn 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.
Lucas can't do much from the bottom here.
Lucas tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Soulburn wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Lucas seems a little lost for a moment, as Soulburn dominates the positioning.
Lucas is trying to improve his position.
Soulburn slips into full mount, dodging the strikes by Lucas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soulburn controlling his opponent.
Lucas gets back to half guard.
Soulburn content to control rather than advance.

Lucas looking for submissions off his back.
Soulburn moves into full mount! Lucas won't be happy about that!
Lucas tries to reverse the position but Soulburn maintains control.
Soulburn controlling from the full mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Orion Soulburn had his way with Steve Lucas in that round.
The cut man is working on Steve Lucas's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Lucas dodges the punch combination from Soulburn.
Lucas dives in and grabs Soulburn's left leg, looking for a takedown. Soulburn pushes down on Lucas's head and hops out.
Soulburn is looking to counter punch.
Lucas tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Soulburn defends well and Lucas ends up having to push Soulburn into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Lucas throws a combination that misses

and Soulburn counters with a series of strikes that sends Lucas to the canvas! Soulburn follows down into guard, looking to finish the fight!

Lucas looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Soulburn has picked Lucas up and slammed him! Lucas can't keep hold of the triangle and Soulburn manages to pass to side control!
Soulburn controlling from side mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lucas is looking to regain half guard here but Soulburn keeps moving and retains side control.
Lucas struggling a bit here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soulburn slows the pace down.
Lucas is looking to regain half guard here but Soulburn keeps moving and retains side control.
Soulburn content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Lucas is looking for a sweep.

That's two 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.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Soulburn working away.
Lucas is pushing Soulburn's head away, looking to escape. Soulburn manages to hold on to the position though.
Soulburn just content to control the position.
Lucas is looking to regain half guard here but Soulburn keeps moving and retains side control.
Orion Soulburn overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Soulburn's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lucas shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Soulburn as he jumps to the side.
Steve Lucas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Orion Soulburn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Lucas.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Soulburn stuffs the takedown attempt from Lucas. Lucas gets slowly back to his feet.
Soulburn lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Orion Soulburn is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lucas is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Soulburn scores with a one two! Lucas had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Orion Soulburn showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Soulburn 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight for Orion Soulburn!
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight for Orion Soulburn!
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight for Orion Soulburn!

Orion Soulburn wins by unanimous decision!
A relieved looking Orion Soulburn thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.