PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Eric Traub (ranked 24524 p4p, 19466 weight class) and Marc Lesh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Traub
vs
Lesh

188 cm
26
180
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
39
180
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Likes comics

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Eric Traub!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marc Lesh!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Traub stuffs the takedown attempt from Lesh. Lesh gets slowly back to his feet.
Lesh throws a leg kick

and Traub counters with a nice double leg into side control. Lesh won't be happy with that.
Lesh is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Traub off and has taken his back!
Traub trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Lesh throwing sloppy strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lesh doesn't have the hooks in and Traub manages to turn into his guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Traub scoring with some ground and pound.
Traub not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Traub throwing strikes from guard but Lesh blocks nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Traub is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Traub loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lesh looking for a sweep. Not yet Lesh, not yet.
Lesh being controlled here, momentarily.
Lesh is trying to control the position but Traub postures up.

Traub 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.
Traub connects with a couple of short punches.

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.
Traub looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Traub shoots for a takedown but Lesh saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lesh displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Traub.

Traub fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Lesh sprawls well initially but Traub persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Lesh pushes Traub off but Traub dives into side control.
Traub happy to just control the position for now.
Traub trying to control the position but Lesh is working away.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Traub wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Lesh, who protects the arm well.
Traub is staying tight to Lesh's torso, preventing him from escaping.

Traub stands up and we're back to a striking position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Traub dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Lesh with a lazy takedown attempt
and Traub counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Traub dives in and scores a takedown into Lesh's guard.
Traub engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Lesh is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Traub defends well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lesh working a defensive guard but Traub passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lesh tries to get to full guard but Traub has control of the leg.
Traub controlling the pace.
Eric Traub overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lesh is trying to control but Traub manages to pass to mount!
Traub dominating with strikes here.
Traub is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lesh can do to turn this around?
Traub controlling from the full mount.

Traub goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Lesh turns into him and now he's in Traub's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Traub has control of Lesh's left arm, preventing Lesh from doing any damage.
Lesh wants to control from the top but Traub keeps moving.
Traub on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Traub tries to get out of the position.
Traub looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Traub tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Traub not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Traub seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Lesh stands up out of Traub's guard for a moment - Traub manages to land a nice upkick.

Traub has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lesh can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Lesh wants to control from the top but Traub keeps moving.
Traub lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Traub looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Traub gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Traub takes the fight into the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Traub dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Traub clinches up against the cage.

Lesh gets control of Traub's arms and successfully pulls guard. Lesh will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Traub advances to half guard.
Traub trying to control the pace.
Lesh is looking to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Traub is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Traub takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
BOOM! Traub connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Traub working for a guillotine from mount but Lesh is in no mood to give up.

Traub gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Traub slips a jab from Lesh.

Traub closes the distance and clinches.

Traub has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Lesh regains guard immediately.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Traub showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Traub has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Lesh is striking off his back. Traub thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Well, if Traub 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lesh tries to get to full guard but Traub has control of the leg.
Lesh has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Traub is working away from the top position though.
Traub controlling the pace.
Traub seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

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.
Traub prevents Lesh from improving his position.
Lesh takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lesh trying to control from the bottom.

Traub decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Traub shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Traub perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Marc Lesh has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Eric Traub is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Eric Traub showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Traub has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eric Traub!
A pretty intense looking Eric Traub took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.