PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jaryd Lund (ranked 24676 p4p, 6746 weight class) and Matthew Start (ranked 618 p4p, 593 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Lund
vs
Start

175 cm
19
155
3 - 2 - 0

205 cm
21
156
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Can Moonwalk

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jaryd Lund!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matthew Start!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Frank Dennis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lund tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Start defends well and Lund ends up having to push Start into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Start feints the counter takedown.
Start stalling the fight.
Lund tries to pull guard but Start holds him up against the cage and eventually Lund drops back down to his feet.
Start effectively controlling the action here.
Start content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Lund looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jaryd Lund. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lund takes a knee to the side of the body.
Lund is breathing heavily.
Lund gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Start.
Start lands with a short shot to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Start pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Start takes a swing at Lund's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Start dives in and scores a takedown into Lund's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Start 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.

Lund is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Start controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Start postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Start showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Start stands and throws Lund's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Lund might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Lund prevents Start from improving position.
Start scores with punches from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Start in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Lund manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lund wants to get back to full guard.
Lund is working hard here to advance position.

Lund is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Start pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Start lands strikes from half guard.
Start stalling.
Start working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Lund trying to control but Start postures up.
Start takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Start is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Lund has managed to free his arm - good work.
Lund wants to improve his position but Start is controlling well.
Start landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Start is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Lund doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Start.
Start is trying to control the action in half guard but Lund is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Matthew Start dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Start looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Well, if Start is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Start works his foot free and advances to mount.
Start controlling from mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Start working the ground and pound effectively.
Lund takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Start lands a big elbow.
Start is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Start can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Lund is looking to escape.

Start working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Start trying to control but Lund is having none of it.
Lund is trying desperately to improve position.
Start content just to control the position here.
Start lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Lund is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Start tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Start scoring with strikes but Lund is staying in there.
Start breaks from Lund's wrist control and lands an elbow.

Start swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Lund is now in Start's guard. A big mistake from Start there, giving up the dominant position!
Start wants to sweep but no luck.
Start trying to keep a closed guard but Lund is proving a slippery customer.
Start keeping moving, preventing Lund from controlling successfully.
Start trying to keep a closed guard but Lund is proving a slippery customer.
Start bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Lund's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Start postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Lund looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Start trying to control the position from guard on top but Lund is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Lund has his foot on Start's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Start works his way back into a safe position though.
Start sitting in guard here, content to control.
Start's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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.
Start with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Start 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.
Start keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Lund's head.
Start has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Start controls from within his opponent's guard.
Start trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Matthew Start showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Start shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Lund is trying to defend but Start finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Start is keen to just control but Lund is a slippery customer.
Lund is looking to improve his position.
Start is keen to just control but Lund is a slippery customer.

Lund looking for submissions off his back.
Lund is trying to control but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Start lands strikes from half guard.
Matthew Start has got the better of the ground game so far.
Still in half guard, Start seems content to control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Start prevents Lund from improving his position.
Start prevents Lund from standing back up.
Start keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Start is pressing down on Lund's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lund is holding on for now.
Start is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Lund doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Start counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Jaryd Lund seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Start keeps the fight on the outside.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lund.
Lund blocks a jab.
Lund tries to score a power double leg takedown but Start sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lund somewhat.
We've been informed that Start has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jaryd Lund. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Start connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Lund momentarily.

Start feints and as Lund raises his hands in defense, Start changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Start trying to control but Lund is working from the bottom.
Start stays in close to Lund's body and controls the position.
Lund keeping full guard, as Start tries to pass.
Matthew Start is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Start is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Lund working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Start doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Start manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Start controlling from the top position.
Jaryd Lund has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Start looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matthew Start comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Start 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matthew Start!
Matthew Start decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.
Jaryd Lund spoke after the fight, saying 'Just wasn't my day today, Gunna work hard and get back in the Octagon as soon as possible.'.