PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Steph Curry (ranked 5927 p4p, 4631 weight class) and Lyon Gaultier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Curry
vs
Gaultier

191 cm
18
190
1 - 2 - 0

177 cm
25
185
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Steph Curry!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lyon Gaultier!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Gaultier, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Gaultier closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Curry breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Gaultier moves into the clinch.

Gaultier's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gaultier throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Curry.
Gaultier shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Curry but Curry pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gaultier defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Curry.
Curry will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gaultier steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gaultier will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Curry shoots in and drives through. Gaultier sprawls well.

Curry shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Curry was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Gaultier explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaultier darts in looking for a takedown but Curry gets double underhooks and turns Gaultier into the cage.
Steph Curry has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lyon Gaultier.
Gaultier throws a lazy body kick
and Curry counters with a series of strikes. Gaultier will be more careful next time no doubt.
Gaultier shoots in looking for a takedown. Curry tries to sprawl out of it but Gaultier keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Curry manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Curry swinging wildly here.
Gaultier shoots in for a takedown but Curry shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Curry misses with a head kick.

Gaultier fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Curry, pushing him back against the cage.
Curry jumps guard but Gaultier turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaultier has Curry pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Curry manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Curry pulls guard effortlessly.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Gaultier gets to his feet - Curry follows without any prompting.
Curry keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Gaultier looks winded!

Gaultier moves into the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Curry is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Gaultier drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Curry gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Gaultier tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Curry smiles and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Curry shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gaultier scores with a kick to the midsection.

Curry manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Gaultier on his heels. He'll look to pass Gaultier's guard now, I'm sure.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Gaultier manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Gaultier blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Gaultier.
Gaultier fails to pull guard.

Gaultier gets control of Curry's arms and successfully pulls guard. Gaultier will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Curry 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.

Gaultier looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaultier trying to control the position here.
Gaultier is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Curry has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Curry trying to control the position from guard on top but Gaultier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Curry lands a couple of digs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lyon Gaultier dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gaultier bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Curry has Gaultier up against the cage in a clinch.

Gaultier pulls Curry into guard.
Curry trying to control but Gaultier is working from the bottom.
Lyon Gaultier has got the better of the ground game so far.
Curry preventing the sweep.

Curry is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Gaultier is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Gaultier has escaped and now he's on top!

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Curry striking off his back but it's not causing Gaultier any problems.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Curry looking to control.

Curry is working an open guard so Gaultier takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Gaultier misses with a double jab.
Curry stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Curry wants it to stay on the feet.
Curry looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Curry ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gaultier moves away.
Curry tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gaultier swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gaultier.
Gaultier dives in for a single leg takedown but Curry sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Steph Curry has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lyon Gaultier.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaultier looks for a takedown but Curry sprawls well.
Gaultier has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gaultier is breathing heavily.

Gaultier clinches up with Curry and pushes him back against the cage.
Curry fails to pull guard.
Curry is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Gaultier to keep the fight standing.

Gaultier manages to break the clinch.
Gaultier throws a head kick but Curry moves out of range.
Curry lands with a slapping head kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Gaultier or perhaps it was just good defense by Curry, which made it look bad.
A little feinted left hand from Curry on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Curry shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gaultier but Gaultier pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gaultier darts in and clinches Curry up against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Gaultier.
Gaultier tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Curry just stands there and leans against the cage.
Gaultier goes for a takedown attempt but Curry pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Steph Curry is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gaultier takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Curry misses with a head kick.
Gaultier fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gaultier prevents the takedown attempt.
Curry taking a breather.
Gaultier wants a takedown but no success here.
Curry gets underhooks to prevent Gaultier's takedown attempt.
Curry is pushing Gaultier up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Gaultier breaks from the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Lyon Gaultier will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Gaultier goes for a double leg but Curry avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Curry continues to drive forward.

Gaultier clinches up with Curry and pushes him back against the cage.

Curry breaks from the clinch.
Gaultier tries for a takedown but Curry sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Curry is looking to counter the offense by Gaultier and move into the clinch.
Gaultier dives in and grabs Curry's left leg, looking for a takedown. Curry pushes down on Gaultier's head and hops out.
Steph Curry has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lyon Gaultier.
Gaultier fails with a takedown attempt.
Gaultier slaps away a takedown attempt from Curry, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Curry with a poor takedown

and Gaultier counters by moving into the clinch.
Curry wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gaultier has him pressed against the cage.
Gaultier takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Gaultier pulls guard successfully.

Gaultier is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaultier trying to control the position.
Curry looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Gaultier working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Gaultier keeping full guard, as Curry tries to pass.
Curry lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Gaultier wants to sweep here but Curry controlling him for the moment.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Curry changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gaultier tries to avoid it but Curry manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gaultier to the ground. Gaultier escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Curry shoots in for a takedown but Gaultier shows good takedown defense.
Gaultier throws a big counter head kick but Curry avoids it with no problem.

Curry gets tackled into the cage by Gaultier. Gaultier maintains the clinch.
Gaultier is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Curry to keep the fight standing.
Gaultier keeps control of Curry as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Lyon Gaultier seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gaultier is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Curry is defending well for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaultier is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Curry is defending well.
A short left from Gaultier.
Curry is looking to take this one to the mat.
A short left from Gaultier.
Gaultier jumps guard but Curry turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Gaultier breaks the clinch.

Gaultier darts in and clinches Curry up against the cage.

Gaultier pulls guard effortlessly.
Curry won't allow Gaultier to sweep him here.
Gaultier not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Curry knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gaultier on the ground.

Curry avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaultier wants to sweep but no luck.
Curry's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Curry stops Gaultier from standing up.
Curry slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Curry shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gaultier sprawls well. Gaultier wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Curry gets slowly back to his feet.
Steph Curry has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lyon Gaultier is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Gaultier instigates a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lyon Gaultier comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gaultier 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lyon Gaultier!