PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lenny Lukens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Crier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Crier has chosen Sparks the Rescue - Getting Clean In The Dirty South as his entrance music. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Lukens
vs
Crier

180 cm
22
155 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

170 cm
21
155 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lenny Lukens!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johnny Crier!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Daniel Franklin and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crier avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lukens uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Crier.
Lukens shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Crier sprawls well. Crier wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lukens gets slowly back to his feet.
Lukens throws a chopping leg kick but Crier manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Lukens is looking to clinch but Crier is avoiding it.
Lukens fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Crier slips a jab from Lukens.
Lukens throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lukens fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lukens throws a front kick aimed at Crier's knee but Crier avoids it well.
Lukens fails with an attempt to clinch.
Crier just misses with a punch to the body.
Lukens tries to score a power double leg takedown but Crier sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lukens somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lenny Lukens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lukens bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lukens takes a swing at Crier's ribcage but misses.
Lukens tries to clinch up.
Crier checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Lukens throws a big shot that misses.
Crier uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lukens.
Crier throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Lukens stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Crier throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Lukens stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Lukens throws a front kick aimed at Crier's knee but Crier avoids it well.
Lukens tries to bum rush Crier with a series of wild strikes but Crier uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Crier misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lukens.
Crier misses with a straight right.
Crier takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Crier misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crier misses with a shot to the body

and Lukens counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Lukens.
Crier misses with a hook to the ribs.
Lukens tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Crier just stands there and leans against the cage.
Lukens takes a shot to the head.

Lukens jumps guard and drags Crier to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Crier wants to pass the guard but Lukens is keeping the position.
Lukens is pulling down on Crier's head to control his posture.
Crier must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Crier makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Crier postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Lukens is looking for a triangle but Crier pushes his legs off easily.
Lukens is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Crier looking to pass the guard.
Lukens tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lukens is trying to keep Crier in close.
Crier scoring with punches to the head and body.

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

Crier is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lukens defends well.
Crier has momentary wrist control but Lukens slips an elbow through the middle.
Crier keeping full guard, as Lukens tries to pass.
Lukens throws a big right hand that misses.
Crier is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Lukens throwing strikes from guard but Crier blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crier avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lukens trying to control the position from guard on top but Crier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Lukens throws a head kick that misses.
Lukens throws a low kick but Crier avoids it.
Lukens pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A leg kick checked by Crier.
A leg kick checked by Crier.
Donk. Crier catches Lukens right on the button with a cross.
Lukens doesn't manage to clinch there - Crier circles away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Crier just misses with a punch to the body.
Crier displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lukens.
Lukens staying out of range there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Crier dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Crier blocks a low kick nicely.
Lukens misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Crier counters with a straight right hand.
Lukens tries to close the distance and clinch up but Crier swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lukens throws a push kick but Crier slaps the foot to one side.
Lukens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The fighters circling - Lukens throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lukens tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Crier counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Crier blocks the body kick.
Lukens ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Crier misses the body punch

and Lukens counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Crier pulls Lukens in to control the position.

Crier is looking for a triangle but Lukens pushes his legs off easily.
Crier looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lukens is one step ahead there.
Lukens lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lukens passes Crier's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lukens working Crier over with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lukens is trying to work for a kimura but Crier is defending well.
Crier avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Lukens.
Crier is looking for a sweep. Lukens is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Lukens is taking a breather. Crier says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Lukens missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Lukens is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Lukens is trying to control the action in half guard but Crier is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Crier gets full guard.
Lukens 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.
Lukens scoring with punches to the head and body.
Lukens wants to control from the top but Crier keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lukens is looking to work some ground and pound but Crier has wrist control.
Lukens stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Crier swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Crier keeping moving, preventing Lukens from controlling successfully.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Lukens throws a leg kick but Crier checks it.
Crier is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Lukens rather than just go for the knockout.
An inside leg kick lands from Lukens.
Crier throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lukens sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lukens is looking to clinch but Crier is avoiding it.
Lukens throws a shot to the body.
Lukens throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Lukens lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Lukens misses
and Lukens takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Crier circles away from the clinch attempt
and Crier counters with a left to the body.
Crier moves out of range of the body kick from Lukens.
Lukens fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lukens rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Crier moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lukens keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fighters circling - Lukens throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lukens thows a body shot but no joy.
Lukens with a poor takedown
and Lukens takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lukens misses with a jab to the body
and Crier counters with a left to the body.
Lukens gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Crier counters with a nice body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lukens tries for a takedown but Crier circles away easily
and Crier counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lenny Lukens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lukens tries to work over Crier's front leg with a kick but Crier checks it.
Crier ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Crier throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Crier throws the left hand but Lukens avoids the punch easily.
Lukens on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Lukens closes the distance looking to clinch
and Crier counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Crier misses with a wild body shot.
Lukens's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Lukens duly obliges.
Crier ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lukens moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Lenny Lukens will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Lukens uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Crier.
Crier thows a body shot but no joy.
A low kick from Lukens is predictable there
and Crier counters with a nice body shot.
Lukens is looking to clinch.
Lukens closes the distance but Crier moves to the side
and Crier makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Lukens with a lazy takedown attempt
and Crier makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Crier misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lukens.
Lukens tries to clinch but Crier is having none of it.
Lukens fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lukens tries to close the distance and clinch but Crier swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lukens throws a leg kick that is checked
and Crier counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Lukens thinking.
Lukens tries to work over Crier's front leg with a kick but Crier checks it.
Lukens tries to land a front kick but Crier steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crier misses with a wild body shot.

Lukens forces Crier back against the cage and clinches.
Lukens works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Crier is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Crier wants a takedown but no success here.
Crier has a couple of punches blocked by Lukens.
Lukens stops a takedown attempt from Crier.

Lukens wants the takedown. Crier is fighting it off but Lukens persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Crier's guard against the cage.
Crier wants to sweep but no luck.
Crier working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lukens.
Lukens loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lukens tries to free his leg and advance position but Crier is retaining full guard.
Lukens works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Crier moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Crier is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Lukens lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crier trying to keep a closed guard but Lukens is proving a slippery customer.
Crier tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lukens trying to control the position from guard on top but Crier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lukens postures up.
Lukens throwing strikes from guard but Crier blocks nicely.
Crier looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lukens is one step ahead there.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Lukens buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Lenny Lukens is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Lukens.
Lukens doesn't manage to clinch there - Crier circles away.
Lukens fails with the takedown
and Crier counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Lukens thinking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crier throws a predictable looking body shot

and Lukens counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Crier looks like he's trying to stand up.
Lukens throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Crier wants to get back to full guard.
Lukens is trying to control the action in half guard but Crier is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Crier is holding on to half guard well.
Crier wants to get back to full guard.
Lukens trying to control from half guard but Crier is working away.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Crier thows a body shot but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lukens misses with a takedown attempt
and Crier cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lenny Lukens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lukens is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A head kick misses from Lukens.
Lukens ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Crier moves away.
Crier looks to score with a jab to the body but Lukens is just out of range.
Crier keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Lukens scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Lukens throws a low kick but Crier avoids it.
Crier blocks the body kick.
Crier throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lukens ducks under a wild hook from Crier.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lenny Lukens clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Lukens throws a hook but Crier blocks it.
Lukens tries to clinch
letting Crier counter with a right hand.
Crier keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lukens looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lukens clinches but Crier breaks the clinch
and Crier counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Lukens gets the takedown into side control.
Crier parries the strikes from Lukens easily there. Lukens is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Crier to escape.
Crier on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

Lukens is trying to get an arm triangle but Crier is defending well.
Lukens working the ground and pound.
Crier tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Lukens wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Crier looking for a sweep but Lukens has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Lukens looking to control but Crier is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crier tries to reverse the position but Lukens maintains control.
Lukens is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Lukens lands with some strikes.
Crier is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Lukens working for a submission but Crier is keeping him at bay.
Crier manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Lukens is trying to control the action in half guard but Crier is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Crier is looking for a sweep. Lukens is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Crier wants to control but Lukens is keeping busy.

Lukens is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Lukens looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crier is looking for a sweep. Lukens is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Crier regains full guard. Nicely done.

Lukens drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lukens jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Crier working a defensive guard here.
Crier seems keen to control Lukens's posture.
Crier manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lukens manages to get himself to full guard.
Lukens keeping moving, preventing Crier from controlling successfully.

Lukens looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crier stands up over Lukens, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Lukens tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lukens working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Crier.
Lukens tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Crier stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lukens swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Crier throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Crier trying to control the position from guard on top but Lukens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lukens controls Crier momentarily but Crier frees himself.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A swing and a miss from Crier.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Crier darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Lukens throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Lukens with a poor takedown
and Crier counters with a nice body shot.
Lukens gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Crier counters with a left to the body.
Johnny Crier is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Crier throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Crier gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Lukens in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lukens thows a big elbow that misses.
Crier trying to keep a closed guard but Lukens is proving a slippery customer.
Lukens throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lukens throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lenny Lukens had his way with Johnny Crier in 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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Lukens instigates a clinch.
Lukens goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lukens is pressed up against the cage. Crier has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lukens down to the mat. Lukens avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Lukens with a lazy takedown attempt
and Crier connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lukens clinches but Crier breaks the clinch
and Crier counters with a stiff right hand.
Crier misses the shot to the body.
Nice defenses there by Lukens.

Lukens moves into the clinch.
Lukens is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Crier gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Lukens is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Crier lands a body shot in the clinch.
Lukens misses with a punch to the body.
Crier drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Lukens gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Lukens can't find room to land a body shot as Crier controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lukens jumps guard but Crier stands there with Lukens around his waist. Lukens gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lenny Lukens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lukens prevents the takedown attempt.

Lukens has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Crier clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Crier tries to escape the position.
Crier covering up well under a series of strikes from Lukens.

Lukens patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Crier rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Crier tries to get to full guard but Lukens has control of the leg.
Crier keeping hold of Lukens's head, controlling as best he can.
Lukens is pressing down on Crier's thigh, looking to free his foot. Crier is holding on for now.
Lenny Lukens overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crier makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Crier.
Lukens stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Crier swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lukens stopping the sweep attempt from Crier.
Crier controlling Lukens's posture.
Lukens scoring with some ground and pound.
Lukens postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lukens stopping the sweep attempt from Crier.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lukens wants to control from the top but Crier keeps moving.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Crier circles away from the clinch attempt
and Crier counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Crier misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lukens.
Lukens misses with a shot to the body
and Crier counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lukens is looking to clinch.

Crier gets caught flat footed, as Lukens shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Lukens keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Crier's head.

Crier working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lukens doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lukens manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Lukens thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crier lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Lukens!
BOOM! Crier connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Lukens is looking to improve his position but Crier isn't that keen on the idea.
Crier can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Lukens is looking to escape.
Lukens working to try and regain half guard.
Crier looking to control but Lukens is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lenny Lukens showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Lukens has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight for Lenny Lukens!
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Lenny Lukens!
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight for Lenny Lukens!

Lenny Lukens wins by unanimous decision!
Lenny Lukens retains his lightweight title!