PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between John Brown (ranked 1350 p4p, 167 weight class) and Justin Cider (ranked 1462 p4p, 179 weight class). Brown comes into the arena with Shook Ones Pt II blaring out of the sound system. 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.

Brown
vs
Cider

180 cm
38
166 lbs
27 - 32 - 3

172 cm
39
160 lbs
20 - 9 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Trashy Bar (158+q / 30$)

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 27 - 32 - 3, fighting out of Hilo, John Brown!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Justin Cider !
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Franklyn Lucas and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cider lands with an uppercut that bounces Brown off the cage and back into range.
Cider connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Brown does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Cider stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cider wants it to stay on the feet.
Brown shoots in for a takedown but Cider shows good takedown defense.
Cider changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Brown looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Cider is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Brown is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cider is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Brown drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Brown jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Brown pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cider is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brown advances to half guard.
Cider wants to get back to his feet.
Cider is looking to get back to is feet but Brown passes into side control.
Cider is pushing Brown's head away, looking to escape. Brown manages to hold on to the position though.

Brown tries for a kimura but Cider is defending well.
Cider is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Brown has just dragged him back down to the mat.
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.

Brown is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Cider is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Cider is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Brown asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Brown tries to advance to mount but Cider denies him.
Cider is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Brown is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brown trying to control the action but Cider is working from the bottom.

Brown tries for a kimura but Cider is defending well.
Cider is trying to get back to his feet.
Brown trying to control the position but Cider is working away.
Cider is trying to get back to his feet.
Brown wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cider keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cider is trying to get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cider attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Brown tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cider cracks Brown with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Brown checks a leg kick.
Cider throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Brown misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cider was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Justin Cider seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Brown slips under a jab from Cider .
A slow jab from Cider misses its intended target.
Cider keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Brown. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Brown lands a slapping body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cider scores with a shot to the body.
Brown tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cider scoring well with a low kick there.
A clash of legs there as Brown blocks the low kick.
Brown moves out of range as Cider strikes.
Brown checks the leg kick.
Cider misses with an uppercut. Brown saw that one coming.
Cider blocks a head kick by Brown.
Brown shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Cider defends it nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Brown keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Brown is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cider sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Cider lands a nice shot that snaps Brown's head back.
Cider throws a nice outside leg kick.
Cider throws a low kick but Brown moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Justin Cider will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A clash of legs there as Brown blocks the low kick.
Cider rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Brown counters with a left and a right that stings Cider .
Cider throws a leg kick which misses Brown's front leg but catches the back leg as Brown tries to avoid it.
Brown steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cider .
Brown needs to keep his hands up - Cider had a free shot at his head there.
Cider scores with a jab. Brown acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Cider blocks a head kick by Brown.
John Brown is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Brown will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
It seemed like Cider was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Cider with a nice cross.
Cider cracks the inside of Brown's front leg.
Cider misses with a head kick.
Brown throws a big counter combination but Cider scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Cider looks to land a combination but Brown avoids it well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Brown swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cider throws a right hand that misses
and Brown counters with a three punch combo that has Cider backing up. Cider nods at Brown to acknowledge the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brown checks the leg kick nicely there.
Cider buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Cider .
A jab from Cider finds it's way through Brown's defenses.
An inside leg kick lands from Cider .
A slapping leg kick lands for Cider .
Brown fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A clash of legs there as Brown blocks the low kick.
Brown on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Brown blocks a jab.
It looked like Brown was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Cider fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Cider misses with a straight left.
Justin Cider is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cider digs a good hook to Brown's body.
Brown throws a leg kick but Cider moved away.
Cider moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cider tries to work over Brown's front leg with a kick but Brown checks it.
Brown shoots in looking for a takedown. Cider tries to sprawl out of it but Brown keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cider manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Justin Cider seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cider throws a nice outside leg kick.
Cider is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Brown.
Cider is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Cider thuds a left hand into Brown's body.
Cider throws a right hand that misses
and Brown counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Brown ducks right into an uppercut from Cider .
Cider lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Brown pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Cider back to the cage. Brown follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Cider ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cider throws a leg kick but Brown sees it coming and moves out of range.
Cider is looking to slow Brown down with leg kicks.
Brown fails with a takedown attempt.
Cider motions for Brown to come forward. Cider throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Cider lands a leg kick that knocks Brown off balance momentarily.
Cider scores with a decent looking hook.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Cider , as that shot connected.
Cider pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
It looked like Brown was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Cider connects with a leg kick. Brown looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Cider throws a hook but Brown blocks it.
Cider throws an overhand right that lands on Brown's shoulder, as Brown tries to avoid the shot.
Cider throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Brown stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Cider misses with a jab to the body
and Brown counters with a nice uppercut.
Cider throws a leg kick that is checked

and Brown counters with a shoot takedown. Cider fights it but they end up in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Brown sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Cider wants to stand up but Brown is controlling him.
Brown advances position into side control!
Cider wants to get back to his feet but Brown drags him back down.
John Brown overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Brown is looking to take a break and control but Cider is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cider is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Brown asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Cider is not content to let Brown control the position.
Cider is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Cider showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Cider misses the jab.
Brown defending well as Cider loads up on a big left hand.
It looked like Brown was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Cider throws a hook to the side of Brown's head but Brown sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Brown tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Cider manages to circle out of the way.
Cider tries a head kick but it misses.
Brown appears to be looking for a big counter.
Cider has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Brown swings for the body but Cider moves out of range.
Cider throws the left hand but Brown avoids the punch easily.
Cider lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Cider throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Brown slips a jab from Cider .
Brown moves out of range of the body kick from Cider .
Brown takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cider throws a leg kick but Brown sees it coming and moves out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Cider . That's going to slow Brown down.
Cider throws a lazy uppercut
and Brown counters with a one-two to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Brown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cider lands with a good body shot.
Brown's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Cider connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Brown scrambles back to his feet.
Cider throws a nice inside leg kick.
Cider throws a leg kick

so Brown counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Cider keeping full guard, as Brown tries to pass.
Brown trying to control the position from guard on top but Cider is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Brown slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Cider wants to stand and escape but Brown is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brown trying to control the position from guard on top but Cider is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Cider is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Brown presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Brown blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Cider scores with a shot to the side of Brown's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cider misses with some punches.
Cider can't find room to land a body shot as Brown controls the action.
Cider tries to throw a body punch but Brown avoids it by throwing Cider back against the cage.
Cider misses with a punch to the body.
Cider misses with a hook to the ribs.
Brown is looking for a takedown.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Brown.
Brown blocking some punches.
Cider misses with a punch on the inside.
Brown has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cider after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Brown. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cider cracks Brown with a nice body shot.
Brown is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Cider is pressed up against the cage. Brown has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Cider down to the mat. Cider avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Cider throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Cider misses with a low kick.
Cider throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cider with a jab.
Cider listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Cider throws an off balance right hand
and Brown counters with a three punch combo that has Cider backing up. Cider nods at Brown to acknowledge the strikes.
Cider throws a hook but Brown avoids it easily.
Brown was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Cider throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Brown looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Cider misses the body punch
and Brown counters with a three punch combo that has Cider backing up. Cider nods at Brown to acknowledge the strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cider lands with a nice combination. Brown backs away looking to recover.
Cider fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Brown has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A solid body kick from Cider .

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cider tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Brown was well out of range. Poor timing from Cider .
Brown half committed to a counter leg kick.
A big right from Cider misses.
Brown has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Cider .
Good shot there by Cider .
Brown avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Cider throws a predictable looking body shot

and Brown counters by clinching up.
Cider throws a head punch that misses.
John Brown has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cider tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Brown goes for a takedown attempt but Cider pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Cider .
Cider throws the left hand but Brown avoids the punch easily.
Cider fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Justin Cider comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Cider 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justin Cider !
Justin Cider was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.