PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jamie Lynch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Samuels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lynch comes into the arena with Depeche Mode - Policy Of Truth blaring out of the sound system. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Lynch
vs
Samuels

182 cm
26
223 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

188 cm
26
212 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Broken Halo Pride Nutrition
Firebird Designs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jamie Lynch!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sam Samuels!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shigeki Sano and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lynch throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lynch avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Samuels with a hook.

It looks like Jamie Lynch has been cut.
Samuels shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lynch as he jumps to the side.
Lynch scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Samuels throws a jab when Lynch was well out of range.
Samuels scores with a hook.
Samuels misses with a body shot.
Samuels lands with a nice body punch.
Samuels lands a nice shot that snaps Lynch's head back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lynch thumps Samuels with a low kick.
Samuels fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lynch manages to avoid it.
Lynch fails to land with a series of punches.
Lynch takes a jab right on the kisser.
A jab from Samuels does it's job there.

Lynch is rocked!
Lynch moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Samuels misses the body punch
and Lynch cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Samuels dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lynch ducks under a wild hook from Samuels.
Samuels throws a looping overhand right but Lynch ducks down to avoid it.
Lynch misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Samuels.
Samuels misses with a takedown attempt - Lynch sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Samuels closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Lynch to the mat! Lynch manages to get full guard.
Lynch keeping full guard, as Samuels tries to pass.
Lynch keeping moving, preventing Samuels from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lynch has momentary wrist control but Samuels slips an elbow through the middle.
Samuels throws a big right hand that misses.

Samuels drops back looking for a leg! Lynch is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Lynch manages to kick Samuels off! Samuels jumps back into Lynch's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samuels pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lynch is keeping the position for now.
Lynch not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Lynch controlling the position.
Lynch looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Samuels landing some decent shots from guard.
Samuels scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Samuels 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.
Samuels won't allow Lynch to get back to his feet.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Lynch holds on and takes a little breather.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Samuels throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lynch works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Samuels trying to control the position from guard on top but Lynch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Samuels throwing strikes but missing.
Samuels stops Lynch from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Samuels drops back, looking for a kneebar! Lynch looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Lynch looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Lynch!
Samuels is looking for a sweep.
Lynch wants to lay and pray for a moment but Samuels keeps working.
Samuels struggling a bit here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Samuels tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Samuels is not content to let Lynch control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Samuels dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jamie Lynch's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Lynch throws the left hand but Samuels avoids the punch easily.

Samuels closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Lynch did well to prevent Samuels getting side control.
Lynch is trying to maintain the position but Samuels is very close to passing his half guard.

Samuels 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.

Samuels is looking for a kimura but Lynch is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Samuels to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samuels missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Samuels thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lynch is trying to control but can't.
Samuels is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Samuels is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Lynch has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Samuels working for a submission but Lynch is keeping him at bay.

That's two 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.

Samuels is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Lynch has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Lynch!
Lynch's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Samuels has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lynch can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Samuels working for submissions but it's allowed Lynch to get to half guard.
Samuels is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lynch not doing much here.
Lynch wants to take a breather but Samuels is having none of it.
Samuels moves into full guard.

Samuels escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lynch gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Samuels keeping moving, preventing Lynch from controlling successfully.

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.

Samuels working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lynch doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lynch manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lynch trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Samuels showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jamie Lynch's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lynch misses with a shot to the body
and Samuels cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Lynch tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lynch uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Samuels.
Samuels keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Samuels throws a body punch but Lynch moves out of range.
Lynch fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Samuels manages to avoid it.
Samuels misses with a straight right.
Lynch takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Samuels keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lynch looks to land a combination but Samuels avoids it well.
Samuels connects with the punch.
Lynch scores with a head kick.
Samuels tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lynch sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Samuels somewhat.
Jamie Lynch is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Samuels on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samuels throws a jab when Lynch was well out of range.
Lynch tries to close the distance and clinch but Samuels swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Samuels lands a slapping body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Samuels ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Samuels scores with a hook to the body. Lynch takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Samuels shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Samuels was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Samuels landing strikes, looking to finish!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Samuels wants to finish this one by submission but Lynch is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Samuels.
Lynch is trying desperately to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Samuels has control of Lynch's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Lynch regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Samuels lands a heavy elbow.
Lynch can't escape the position.
Lynch in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Samuels looking to control but Lynch is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Sam Samuels has got the better of the ground game so far.
Samuels landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Samuels looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Samuels looking to control but Lynch is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
You get the feeling that Lynch really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Samuels unloads with some shots from mount but Lynch bucks and avoids them well.

Samuels looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Lynch tries to reverse the position but Samuels maintains control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Samuels lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Samuels unloads with some shots from mount but Lynch bucks and avoids them well.
Samuels breaks from Lynch's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Samuels has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Samuels sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

Samuels is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Lynch has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Samuels looking to secure an arm triangle but Lynch defends it well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lynch sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Samuels really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jamie Lynch's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Samuels looks to score with a jab to the body but Lynch is just out of range.
Lynch connects with a body shot.
Lynch slips a jab from Samuels.
The fighters circle momentarily. Samuels darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Lynch throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Lynch throws a sloppy head kick and Samuels moves out of range easily.
Lynch tries a head kick but it misses.
Samuels takes one to the chin there.
Lynch is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Samuels.
Lynch tries a head kick but it misses.
Lynch throws a body kick that misses.
Samuels scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Lynch throws and low kick but Samuels moves out of range easily.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Lynch looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Samuels tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lynch was well out of range. Poor timing from Samuels.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lynch misses with a wild body shot.
Lynch misses with a looping left.
A decent looking cross lands there for Samuels.
Lynch throws a quick inside leg kick.
Samuels lands a really nice looking cross but Lynch seems unphased.
Samuels sizes up Lynch with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Oh Lynch is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Lynch throws a sloppy head kick and Samuels moves out of range easily.
Lynch seems to have got his legs back now.
Lynch pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lynch misses the body punch
and Samuels counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Lynch uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Samuels.
Samuels throws a good cross that connects.
Samuels shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Samuels looks to score with a jab to the body but Lynch is just out of range.
Samuels missing with a left hand there. Lynch was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Samuels scores with the left hand. Lynch knows he should have avoided that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samuels throws a hook to the side of Lynch's head but Lynch sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Lynch moves in looking to clinch but Samuels pushes him off.
Samuels works Lynch's body with a nice hook.
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!
Samuels scores with a jab to the head.
Samuels connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Lynch moves out of range of the strikes.
Samuels misses with a looping right.
Samuels digs a good body shot into Lynch's ribs.
Samuels tests Lynch's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Samuels stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Samuels scores with a shot to the body.
Samuels thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lynch has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Lynch there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Samuels.
Samuels shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lynch pinned against the cage. Lynch gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A big left from Samuels misses.
Samuels misses with a looping left.
Samuels has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
No luck for Samuels with that takedown attempt.
Jamie Lynch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sam Samuels.
Lynch is looking to clinch.
A punch lands to the side of Samuels 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Lynch slips under a jab from Samuels.
Lynch throws a series of punches but Samuels moves out of range.
Lynch uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Samuels.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Samuels is defended easily by Lynch.

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.
Samuels scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Samuels jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lynch lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Lynch drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Lynch displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Samuels.
A punch combination from Lynch misses.
Lynch throws a body punch but Samuels moves out of range.
Samuels throws a shot from downtown. Lynch moves away and avoids it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Samuels throws the left hand but Lynch avoids the punch easily.
Samuels misses with a takedown attempt
and Lynch counters with a stiff right hand.
Lynch stuffs the takedown attempt from Samuels. Samuels gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Samuels dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Jamie Lynch's cut.
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 get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Samuels takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A jab from Samuels misses.
Samuels misses with a hook to the body
and Lynch makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Samuels closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lynch circles away.
Lynch goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

It looks like Sam Samuels has been cut.
Samuels misses with a straight left.
Samuels fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Lynch tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Samuels chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Lynch can pounce on him.
Samuels is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Lynch throws a combination that misses
and Samuels counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Samuels keeps the fight on the outside.
Lynch throws a head kick that misses.
Lynch is looking to wear down Samuels with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Lynch misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lynch misses with a jab, cross combination.
Lynch listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Samuels missing with a left hand there. Lynch was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lynch steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Samuels.

Samuels shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Lynch manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Samuels postures up in Lynch's guard and throws a big left but Lynch blocks it.
Samuels working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Samuels distracts Lynch with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Samuels stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lynch swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Jamie Lynch has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lynch keeping moving, preventing Samuels from controlling successfully.

Lynch has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Samuels can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Samuels wants to pass the guard but Lynch is keeping the position.
Samuels working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Samuels accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sam Samuels is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samuels wants to control from the top but Lynch keeps moving.
Lynch wants to sweep here but Samuels controlling him for the moment.
Lynch tries to strike from the bottom.
Samuels not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Samuels drops back looking for a leg! Lynch is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Lynch manages to kick Samuels off! Samuels jumps back into Lynch's guard.

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.
Lynch wants to sweep here but Samuels controlling him for the moment.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Lynch on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Samuels scores with a shot to the body.
A combination from Lynch does no damage.
Samuels connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Samuels lands a slapping body shot.
Samuels lands a jab.
Samuels ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sam Samuels.
Well Samuels 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 45:50
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 45:50
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sam Samuels! Sam Samuels retains his light heavyweight title!