PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Justice Kingston (ranked 1523 p4p, 3457 weight class) and Brandon Byrum (ranked 161 p4p, 329 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Kingston
vs
Byrum

180 cm
26
161
5 - 1 - 0

170 cm
17
161
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Justice Kingston!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Brandon Byrum!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Percy O'Donnell and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kingston shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Byrum pinned against the cage. Byrum gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kingston fails to land the takedown.
Kingston closes the distance and clinches up with Byrum, looking for a takedown. Kingston pushes Byrum against the cage but Byrum circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Justice Kingston. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Byrum lands a jab to the nose.
Byrum misses with a hook.
Byrum fails in his attempt to clinch.
Byrum swings for the body but Kingston moves out of range.
Byrum swats away the attempt to clinch by Kingston.

Kingston shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Byrum pushes Kingston off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jab from Byrum.
Kingston will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Byrum is looking to clinch.
Kingston shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Byrum but Byrum pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kingston scores with a takedown into Byrum's guard.
Kingston trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Byrum utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kingston is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We've been hearing that Kingston has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Kingston distracts Byrum with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Byrum is pulling down on Kingston's head. It's preventing any offense from Kingston, at least for the moment.
Kingston slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Byrum can't do much from the bottom here.
Kingston wants to control but Byrum is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Byrum is looking to reverse the position.
Kingston is looking to take a break and control but Byrum is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kingston has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Kingston is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Byrum has escaped the position, nice work there.
Byrum is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Byrum is trying to improve his position.
Kingston tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Byrum felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Kingston working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Kingston is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Byrum knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kingston tries to advance to mount but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Kingston stalls from top position.
Byrum gets back to half guard.
Kingston with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Kingston tries to pass the half guard into mount. Byrum knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Kingston slows the pace down in half guard.
Byrum is refusing to be controlled, as Kingston sits in half guard.
Byrum on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's four 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.
Kingston scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kingston stalling.
Kingston looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kingston thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Byrum's head.
Kingston wants to lay and pray for a moment but Byrum keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Byrum is trying to control but can't.
Kingston is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Byrum is staying active underneath Kingston, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Well, if Kingston 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.
Kingston looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Justice Kingston dominated that round.
That's time! Kingston's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kingston fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Byrum avoids it really well and circles away.
Justice Kingston seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Byrum stuffs the takedown.

Kingston drives through and clinches with Byrum against the cage.

Kingston lands a takedown into guard.

Kingston has gone for a leg lock! Byrum slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kingston's guard.

Byrum working some strikes from top position.
Kingston is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kingston wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kingston can't keep his opponent in guard - Byrum advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Byrum prevents Kingston from improving his position.
Kingston is looking to control Byrum's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kingston avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Byrum looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kingston is refusing to be controlled, as Byrum sits in half guard.
Byrum not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kingston wants to get back to full guard.
Kingston controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Justice Kingston overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Byrum is thwarting Kingston's attempts to control the position.

That's two 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.
Kingston is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Byrum is thwarting Kingston's attempts to control the position.
Kingston is not content to let Byrum control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Byrum scores with a nice strike.
Byrum throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Byrum scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kingston shoots for a double leg takedown but Byrum sprawls well. He's pushed Kingston's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Justice Kingston. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Byrum defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kingston.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Byrum lands an overhand right.
Byrum is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Byrum is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kingston.
Byrum throws a jab when Kingston was well out of range.
Byrum defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kingston.
Byrum misses with an uppercut. Kingston saw that one coming.
Byrum scores with a body shot.
Byrum tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kingston manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Byrum lands a jab to Kingston's midsection.
Byrum throws a front kick aimed at Kingston's knee but Kingston avoids it well.
Kingston tries for a takedown but Byrum sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Kingston rushes Byrum and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Byrum breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kingston fails with the takedown.
Kingston blocks a leg kick.
Kingston displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Byrum throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kingston takes a jab right on the kisser.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kingston or perhaps it was just good defense by Byrum, which made it look bad.
No luck for Kingston with that takedown attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kingston tries to clinch but Byrum is having none of it.
Byrum tries to clinch up.
Byrum misses with a looping left.
Byrum jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kingston shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Byrum pinned against the cage. Byrum gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Byrum loads up on a big right hand but Kingston slips the punch.
Brandon Byrum seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Kingston takes the fight into the clinch.
Byrum is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kingston is keeping busy.

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

Brandon Byrum showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kingston gets a clinch.
Byrum scores with a shoulder strike.
Byrum throws a head punch that misses.
Byrum gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kingston.
Byrum has Kingston pressed against the cage.
Kingston is trying to pull guard but Byrum has him pressed against the cage.
Byrum misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kingston goes for a takedown in the clinch but Byrum prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Justice Kingston. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Byrum working some nice short punches in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kingston is trying to drag Byrum to the mat but Byrum just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Byrum misses with a punch on the inside.
Kingston wants a takedown but no success here.
Byrum prevents the takedown attempt.
Byrum lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Byrum's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Byrum misses with a looping left.
Byrum throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Byrum scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
An inside leg kick from Byrum misses.
Byrum throws a solid leg kick but Kingston takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Byrum.

Byrum gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kingston is trying to drag Byrum to the mat but Byrum just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Kingston jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Byrum walks away with a smile on his face. Kingston gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Byrum circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kingston shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Byrum defends it nicely.
Byrum scores with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kingston gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Byrum to counter with a crisp jab.

Kingston shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Byrum's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kingston is looking to work some ground and pound but Byrum has wrist control.
Byrum is trying to keep Kingston in close.
Kingston trying to control but Byrum is working from the bottom.
Kingston preventing the sweep.

Byrum has his foot on Kingston's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kingston works his way back into a safe position though.
Byrum looking to control.
Kingston trying to control the position from guard on top but Byrum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Byrum has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kingston stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Byrum swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Byrum looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Byrum manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kingston manages to get himself to full guard.

Kingston looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kingston pulls Byrum in close to his closed guard and prevents Byrum from doing any damage or advancing position.
Kingston trying to keep a closed guard but Byrum is proving a slippery customer.
Kingston wants to hit a sweep here but Byrum passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Kingston there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Byrum trying to control but Kingston is having none of it.
Kingston is looking to improve his position but Byrum isn't that keen on the idea.
Kingston tries to hold on but Byrum postures up.
Kingston is in a horrible position here. Byrum smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Byrum working Kingston over with strikes here.
Kingston really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Byrum really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Byrum clinches up against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Byrum.

Kingston has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Byrum regains guard immediately.
Kingston is looking to work some ground and pound but Byrum has wrist control.
Byrum wants to sweep but no luck.

Kingston postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Byrum is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Kingston, into his guard.

Byrum pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kingston is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Byrum stopping the sweep attempt from Kingston.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Byrum throws an elbow that misses. Kingston uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Byrum's guard. Nice move by Kingston!

Byrum keeping moving, preventing Kingston from controlling successfully.
Kingston slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Kingston moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Kingston cracks Byrum with a big elbow.
Byrum is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Kingston trying to pass the guard but Byrum defending well.
Byrum wants to improve his position but Kingston is controlling well.

Kingston looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Byrum is looking to control Kingston's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Byrum avoid being mounted?
Byrum gets back to full guard.
Byrum can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kingston controls the pace.

Kingston has gone for a leg lock! Byrum slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kingston's guard.

Byrum slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Byrum trying to control the action but Kingston is working from the bottom.
Byrum happy to just control the position for now.
Kingston sneaks back into half guard.
Kingston is looking to control Byrum's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kingston avoid being mounted?
Kingston is looking for a sweep. Byrum is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kingston trying to hold on to Byrum's head to control him but Byrum postures up.
Kingston is looking for a sweep. Byrum is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Byrum wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kingston keeps working.
Kingston trying to hold on to Byrum's head to control him but Byrum postures up.
Kingston slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kingston seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Brandon Byrum will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Byrum throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kingston sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kingston takes one to the side of the head.
Byrum lands a jab to Kingston's midsection.
Kingston uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Byrum.
Kingston staying out of range there.
Kingston tries to counter with a takedown but Byrum is quick to defend against it.
Kingston moves out of range as Byrum strikes.
Kingston half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kingston blocks a jab.
Byrum looks to land a right hand but Kingston moved out of range.
Kingston tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Byrum defends well and Kingston ends up having to push Byrum into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Byrum throws a punch but it's blocked by Kingston.
Kingston is looking for a takedown.
Byrum prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Justice Kingston. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Byrum lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kingston backwards.
Byrum trying to stall but Kingston improves his position.
Kingston has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Byrum avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Kingston has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Byrum regains guard immediately.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Byrum keeping moving, preventing Kingston from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kingston is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kingston looking to pass the guard.
Byrum controls Kingston momentarily but Kingston frees himself.
Byrum pulls Kingston in to control the position.
Byrum is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Byrum is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Kingston controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kingston tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Byrum defends well and Kingston ends up having to push Byrum into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kingston is trying to pull guard but Byrum has him pressed against the cage.

That's two 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.
Byrum working aggressively here.
Kingston drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kingston is looking for a takedown.

Byrum escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Kingston gets tackled into the cage by Byrum. Byrum maintains the clinch.
Byrum lands with a left to the head.
Kingston blocking some punches.
Byrum has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kingston as Byrum tries to tie him up.
Brandon Byrum seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Byrum lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kingston tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Byrum just stands there and leans against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Byrum fails to land.
Kingston tries for a takedown. No joy.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kingston postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kingston not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Kingston pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Byrum is keeping the position for now.
Kingston lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Justice Kingston has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Byrum not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kingston makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kingston pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Byrum is keeping the position for now.
Byrum looking for a sweep. Not yet Byrum, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Byrum is trying to control the position but Kingston postures up.
Kingston won't allow Byrum to sweep him here.
Kingston postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kingston engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Kingston with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Byrum keeping moving, preventing Kingston from controlling successfully.
Kingston content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kingston trying to control but Byrum is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kingston distracts Byrum with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Brandon Byrum is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kingston postures up.
Kingston postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brandon Byrum comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Byrum 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 47:48
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 47:49
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brandon Byrum!
Brandon Byrum is the new lightweight champion!