PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Scott Lagrange (ranked 3401 p4p, 397 weight class) and Jab Buckeye (ranked 2895 p4p, 352 weight class). Buckeye has chosen Lose my mind young jeezy as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Jab Buckeye enters the cage!

Lagrange
vs
Buckeye

185 cm
26
192 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

184 cm
21
196 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Scott Lagrange!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jab Buckeye!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Konstantin Menshow and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Buckeye keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Buckeye scores with a takedown into Lagrange's guard.
Lagrange tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Buckeye working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lagrange has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Lagrange avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Buckeye loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Buckeye is in close to Lagrange's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Buckeye trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lagrange pulls Buckeye in close to his closed guard and prevents Buckeye from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buckeye wants to control from the top but Lagrange keeps moving.
Lagrange manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Buckeye manages to get himself to full guard.

Buckeye is controlling Lagrange's posture.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Buckeye is on top in guard.

Lagrange not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Lagrange looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Buckeye throws a strike but Lagrange rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Buckeye is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Lagrange loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Buckeye is pulling down on Lagrange's head to control his posture.
Lagrange throwing strikes but missing.
Lagrange trying to control but Buckeye is working from the bottom.
Buckeye controlling the position.
Lagrange trying to control the position from guard on top but Buckeye is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lagrange landing some decent shots from guard.
Buckeye is trying to keep Lagrange in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Buckeye working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lagrange doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lagrange manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Buckeye can do anything to dispel that myth.
Lagrange working some strikes from top position.
Lagrange scoring with some ground and pound.
Buckeye not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Lagrange looking to sit in guard and control but Buckeye gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Lagrange looking for a sweep. Not yet Lagrange, not yet.
Buckeye postures up.

Buckeye is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lagrange trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Lagrange striking from his own guard.
Buckeye throwing strikes but missing.
Buckeye preventing the sweep.
Buckeye wants to control from the top but Lagrange keeps moving.
Lagrange looking for a sweep. Not yet Lagrange, not yet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Buckeye accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Buckeye makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Lagrange wants to sweep here but Buckeye controlling him for the moment.
Buckeye slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jab Buckeye dominated 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.

Buckeye is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Lagrange's half guard.
Lagrange blocking the ground and pound attempt from Buckeye.
Buckeye looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Lagrange is looking to improve his position.
Buckeye scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lagrange is not content to let Buckeye control the position.
Buckeye throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Lagrange to regain full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Buckeye tries to free his leg and advance position but Lagrange is retaining full guard.
Lagrange looking to control.
Lagrange is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Buckeye works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lagrange trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Buckeye is looking for a triangle but Lagrange pushes his legs off easily.
Buckeye avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Buckeye bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Lagrange's guard.

Lagrange wants to sweep here but Buckeye controlling him for the moment.
Buckeye pushes down on Lagrange's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Buckeye stalling.

Buckeye wants to work for an arm triangle but Lagrange is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Jab Buckeye has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lagrange avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Buckeye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lagrange keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Buckeye is keen to just control but Lagrange is a slippery customer.
Buckeye takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Buckeye wants to control but Lagrange is keeping him busy.
Buckeye has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lagrange tries to get to full guard but Buckeye has control of the leg.
Lagrange trying to control but Buckeye postures up.
Buckeye is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Buckeye is trying to control. Lagrange wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We've been hearing good reports from Lagrange's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Buckeye slips a nice elbow through Lagrange's hands, connecting with Lagrange's forehead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lagrange controlling the position well.
Lagrange trying to hold on to Buckeye's head to control him but Buckeye postures up.
Lagrange landing strikes from the bottom.
Lagrange is trying to get back to full guard.
Lagrange makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Lagrange.
Lagrange lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Buckeye is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Lagrange tries to get to full guard but Buckeye has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Buckeye is looking for a kimura here.
Lagrange wants to get back to full guard.
Lagrange is trying to control but Buckeye manages to pass to mount!
Lagrange can't escape the position.
Lagrange wants to control but Buckeye is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Buckeye lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Lagrange is desperately trying to improve his position but Buckeye has a good base and remains in mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jab Buckeye showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Buckeye clinches.

Buckeye has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Lagrange regains guard immediately.
Lagrange keeping moving, preventing Buckeye from controlling successfully.
Lagrange is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Buckeye stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lagrange swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lagrange bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Buckeye's guard.

Lagrange avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Buckeye has his foot on Lagrange's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lagrange works his way back into a safe position though.
Lagrange has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Buckeye avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lagrange pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Buckeye is keeping the position for now.
Lagrange scoring with punches to the head and body.

Buckeye is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lagrange is aware though and is defending well.
Buckeye has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Buckeye has his hands on Lagrange's head, controlling the position.
Lagrange cracks Buckeye with a solid left hand.

Buckeye looking for a guillotine here but Lagrange defends easily.

Buckeye is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lagrange is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lagrange working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lagrange scoring with some ground and pound.
Lagrange wants to control from the top but Buckeye keeps moving.
Lagrange throwing strikes but missing.
Lagrange postures up in Buckeye's guard and throws a big left but Buckeye blocks it.
Lagrange working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Buckeye not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Buckeye pulls Lagrange in close to prevent any damage.
Lagrange in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lagrange looking to pass the guard.
Buckeye preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lagrange pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Buckeye is keeping the position for now.
Lagrange stopping the sweep attempt from Buckeye.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lagrange looks for a takedown but Buckeye sprawls well.
Buckeye looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Lagrange shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Lagrange was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Buckeye is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Lagrange scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Buckeye gets back to full guard.
Buckeye looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Our spies down at at Death Valley Training Facility inform us that Buckeye has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Lagrange connects with a couple of short punches.
Buckeye wants to improve his position but instead Lagrange has moved into half guard.
Buckeye is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Lagrange's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Lagrange's back!
Jab Buckeye is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lagrange grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Buckeye controlling well, preventing Lagrange from escaping the position.
Scott Lagrange has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jab Buckeye.
Well Buckeye 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jab Buckeye!
A very excited looking Jab Buckeye rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.