PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Arthem Lobov (ranked 4478 p4p, 0 weight class) and CM Punk (ranked 4302 p4p, 0 weight class). CM Punk is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Lobov
vs
Punk

175 cm
23
160 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

178 cm
23
164 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Arthem Lobov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, CM Punk!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Taro Takaoka and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lobov fails with a takedown attempt.
A swing and a miss from Punk.
Lobov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Lobov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lobov misses with an uppercut. Punk saw that one coming.
Punk throws a big counter head kick but Lobov avoids it with no problem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lobov doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Punk counter with a right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arthem Lobov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lobov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Punk counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lobov misses with an uppercut. Punk saw that one coming.
Punk looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Lobov tries for a takedown but Punk sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Punk looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Lobov shoots for a takedown but Punk saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Lobov misses with a looping left.
Punk is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lobov.
CM Punk is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lobov misses with a takedown attempt
and Punk counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lobov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Lobov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Lobov throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Punk counter with a right hand.
Lobov shoots and misses
and Punk counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Lobov is rocked!
Lobov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lobov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Punk is fending him off so far but Lobov persists. Nope, Punk circles away and we're back to standing.
A telegraphed right hand from Punk misses the target.

Lobov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Punk!
Punk is trying to improve his position.
Punk really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lobov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Punk gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Lobov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Punk is controlling Lobov's trapped leg to prevent Lobov from advancing to side control.
Punk makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Punk.

Lobov 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.
Punk controlling Lobov's posture.

Lobov drops back looking for a leg! Punk is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Punk manages to kick Lobov off! Lobov jumps back into Punk's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lobov wants to pass the guard but Punk is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

CM Punk dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Lobov shoots in but Punk avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Lobov throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Punk counter with a right hand.
Lobov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Punk counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lobov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Punk looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Lobov is trying to get an arm triangle but Punk is defending well.
Punk has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Lobov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Punk knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lobov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Punk is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Lobov working away.
Punk is looking for a sweep.
Punk wants to get back to his feet but Lobov drags him back down.

Lobov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Punk is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
What's Punk going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Punk tries to escape but Lobov is in control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Punk can't do much from the bottom here.

Lobov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Lobov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Punk tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Lobov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Lobov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Punk is trying to improve his position.
Punk is trying to control Lobov's posture but Lobov avoids it.

Lobov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Punk's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Punk tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Lobov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Lobov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Lobov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Lobov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Lobov working away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Lobov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Lobov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arthem Lobov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Lobov shoots for a takedown but Punk saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Lobov shoots in looking for a takedown. Punk tries to sprawl out of it but Lobov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Punk manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Punk raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Punk throws a lazy uppercut

and Lobov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Lobov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Punk is trying to control the position but Lobov postures up.
Punk keeping moving, preventing Lobov from controlling successfully.
Punk manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lobov manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Lobov working for a triangle but Punk defends it easily.
Punk must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Lobov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Punk doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Punk manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Punk wants to pass the guard but Lobov is keeping the position.

Lobov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Punk defends it easily.

Lobov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Arthem Lobov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Punk's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lobov is working an open guard so Punk takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Lobov with a poor takedown
and Punk counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arthem Lobov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice takedown defense from Punk. No joy for Lobov on that attempt.
Punk swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Lobov misses with a lunging right hand
letting Punk counter with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lobov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Lobov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lobov misses with a right hand
and Punk connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lobov swings widly with a right hand
and Punk counters with a nice uppercut.
Arthem Lobov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lobov swings widly with a right hand
letting Punk counter with a right hand.
Oh Lobov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Lobov throws an off balance right hand
and Lobov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lobov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Punk counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Punk missing with a left hand there. Lobov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lobov feinted with a counter takedown.
Lobov seems to have got his legs back now.
Lobov misses with a hook
and Punk counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lobov throws an off balance right hand
and Punk counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
CM Punk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Punk has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for CM Punk!
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight for CM Punk!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for CM Punk!

CM Punk wins by unanimous decision!