PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bart Snow (ranked 24810 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Lyles (ranked 3126 p4p, 401 weight class). Bart Snow has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Snow
vs
Lyles

178 cm
25
215 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

190 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bart Snow!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Michael Lyles!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Ren Mimura and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Snow tries to clinch up.
Snow walks into a stiff left hand from Lyles.

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

Snow manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Snow could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Snow stalling against the cage.
Snow tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lyles just stands there and leans against the cage.
Lyles misses with a body punch.
Snow stalling.
Snow tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lyles smiles and moves away.
Lyles scores with a nice head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lyles scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Snow kicks off Lyles and gets to his feet.

Lyles scores with a takedown into Snow's guard.

Snow uses the cage to get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lyles dives in and grabs Snow's left leg, looking for a takedown. Snow pushes down on Lyles's head and hops out.
Snow changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Lyles darts in looking for a takedown but Snow gets double underhooks and turns Lyles into the cage.
Snow tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Lyles manages to circle out of the way.

Lyles changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Snow looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Snow is not content to let Lyles control the position.

Lyles stands up and beckons Snow to his feet.
Michael Lyles seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lyles takes a kick to the side of the head.
Lyles throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Snow is looking for a counter combo.
Lyles scores with a jab.
Snow misses with a straight left.
Lyles tries to counter with a clinch but Snow shakes him off and moves away.

Lyles has Snow up against the cage in a clinch.

Lyles jumps guard and drags Snow to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Snow scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Snow postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Snow is looking to stand up but Lyles won't let him.

Snow gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Lyles clinches with his opponent.
Snow is trying to pull guard but Lyles has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bart Snow. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Lyles jumps guard.
Lyles is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Snow gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Lyles gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Lyles breaks the clinch.
Lyles throws a lazy head kick

and Snow moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Snow tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Snow tries to break the clinch but Lyles is controlling the position.
Lyles content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Lyles fails to pull guard.
Lyles will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Snow up against the cage.
Lyles looks winded!
Lyles jumps guard but Snow turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Snow fails to pull guard.

Lyles breaks from the clinch.

Lyles has taken the fight to the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A frustrated look appears on Snow's face as he tries to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Michael Lyles will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Bart Snow's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lyles goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Snow slaps away a takedown attempt from Lyles, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Lyles fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Snow, pushing him back against the cage.

Lyles breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Snow has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.

Lyles clinches with his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Snow decides to pull guard.
Lyles really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Snow. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Lyles wants to pass the guard but Snow is keeping the position.

Snow is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Snow throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Lyles escapes and throws Snow's legs to the side, diving into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Snow is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Snow's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Lyles trying to control the position but Snow is working away.
Bart Snow overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Snow being controlled for a moment.
Snow tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Lyles easily slips into full mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Snow sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Snow is trying is best to control the position here.
Snow regains full guard. Nicely done.
Snow working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lyles.
Lyles lands a couple of digs.
Lyles must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Snow pulls Lyles in close to his closed guard and prevents Lyles from doing any damage or advancing position.
Lyles wants to control from the top but Snow keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lyles pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Snow is keeping the position for now.
Snow looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lyles wants to control from the top but Snow keeps moving.
Lyles is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Lyles drives through and clinches with Snow against the cage.

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.

Lyles breaks from the clinch.
Snow displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lyles.
Lyles shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Snow sprawls well. Snow wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lyles gets slowly back to his feet.
Bart Snow has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Lyles.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lyles looks to score with a jab to the body but Snow is just out of range.
Lyles shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Snow but Snow pushes him off and we're back to square one.
As Lyles looks to move away, Snow throws a big counter combo but Lyles just gets out of the way.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Lyles showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Bart Snow's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Lyles clinches.
Lyles wants a takedown but no success here.
Lyles is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Lyles breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lyles throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Snow.
Lyles throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lyles misses with a jab, cross combination.

Lyles drives through and clinches with Snow against the cage.
Snow tries to pull guard but Lyles won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lyles wants a takedown but no success here.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Snow obliges.
Lyles takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Snow wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Lyles is trying to pull guard but Snow turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Bart Snow has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Lyles.
Lyles tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Snow's elbow.
Lyles tries to stall but Snow uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
The referee is keeping an eye on Lyles - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Snow manages to break the clinch.
Horrible takedown attempt by Lyles or perhaps it was just good defense by Snow, which made it look bad.
Bart Snow is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Snow blocks a head kick by Lyles.
Snow changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Lyles clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Snow manages to break the clinch.

Lyles gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Lyles working hard to break the clinch.
Snow fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Snow is trying to break the clinch but Lyles is controlling him.
Lyles just leaning against Snow, taking a breather.
Snow has Lyles pressed against the cage.

Lyles breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Snow lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lyles circles away quickly and effectively.

Lyles drives through and clinches with Snow against the cage.

Lyles manages to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Lyles closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Lyles looking to throw knees to the head but Snow is blocking nicely.
A frustrated look appears on Snow's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Snow wants to get back to striking at distance but Lyles won't allow it.
Snow has had enough of the clinch but Lyles keeps him there for the moment.
Snow tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lyles smiles and moves away.
Lyles throws a head kick but Snow moves out of range.
Snow throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Lyles has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lyles fails with the takedown

and Snow counters by clinching up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Snow jumps guard but Lyles stands there with Snow around his waist. Snow gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

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

Lyles moves into the clinch successfully.
Snow wants to break free but Lyles has control.

Snow manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Snow looking to control.
Snow manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lyles manages to get himself to full guard.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Snow decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Bart Snow has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Michael Lyles is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lyles shoots for a double leg takedown but Snow sprawls well. He's pushed Lyles's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Snow tries to counter by clinching up but Lyles breaks away and moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Lyles comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lyles 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Lyles!