PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Richard Lionheart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Story (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lionheart comes to the cage accompanied by Van Damme - Lion Heart (Final Fight). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Lionheart
vs
Story

160 cm
30
142 lbs
21 - 9 - 1

160 cm
27
140 lbs
20 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Cobra Pharmaceuticals (159++ Stamina)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Richard Lionheart!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nick Story!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lionheart thuds a left hand into Story's body.
Lionheart wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lionheart. Story does a little dance to reset his feet.
A jab from Lionheart finds it's way through Story's defenses.
Lionheart fails to land with a series of punches.
Lionheart bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Story thows a body shot but no joy.
Lionheart lands a nice shot to the body.

Lionheart scores with a takedown into Story's guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Story is looking to stand up but Lionheart isn't so interested in that idea.

Story pushes Lionheart off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Donk. Lionheart catches Story right on the button with a cross.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lionheart misses with a wild combination.
Lionheart just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lionheart throws a series of punches but Story avoids them all with ease.
Story scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Story scores with the left hand. Lionheart knows he should have avoided that one.
Story fails in his attempt to clinch.
Story tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Lionheart manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lionheart fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Story on the side of the head.
Story swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Lionheart looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Story!
Lionheart postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Story looks a forlorn figure.
Lionheart avoids the attempt from Story to control.
Story tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lionheart avoids the attempt from Story to control.
Lionheart misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lionheart thowing shots but they're missing.
Lionheart putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Story tries to reverse the position but Lionheart maintains control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lionheart throwing strikes but Story uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Lionheart thows a huge punch but Story dodges it nicely.
Lionheart thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Story's head.
Lionheart throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Story is trying to stand back up but Lionheart is controlling him
Lionheart looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Story trying to control from the bottom.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Lionheart connects with a nice short shot to Story's temple.
Story is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Lionheart's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Lionheart's back!
Story missing with strikes from the back.
Lionheart looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Story somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Story wants to control the position but Lionheart frees himself and scrambles - Story manages to regain control in side control.

Story decides to stand back up.
Lionheart jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Story on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Lionheart keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Story.
Story tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lionheart paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lionheart misses with an uppercut.
Story slips a straight right by Lionheart.
Lionheart connects with a crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lionheart throws out a loose jab but Story uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lionheart slips under a jab from Story.
Lionheart keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Story throws a shot from downtown. Lionheart moves away and avoids it.
Lionheart lands a slapping body shot.
Lionheart tries to bum rush Story with a series of wild strikes but Story uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Story throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lionheart throws a jab when Story was well out of range.
Story takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Story wants to clinch up but Lionheart keeps it at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Lionheart dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Story loads up on a big right hand but Lionheart slips the punch.
Story walks into a jab.
Lionheart takes a swing at Story's ribcage but misses.
Story throws out a loose jab but Lionheart uses good head movement to avoid it.
Story uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lionheart.
Story misses with a series of wild punches.
Lionheart thows a body shot but no joy.
Lionheart takes a swing at Story's ribcage but misses.
Lionheart throws a body punch but Story moves out of range.
Lionheart looks for a takedown but Story sprawls well.
Lionheart defending well as Story loads up on a big left hand.
Lionheart is looking to wear down Story with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Lionheart thows a left - swing and a miss!
Richard Lionheart seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Lionheart.
Story lands a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lionheart swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Story takes one to the chin there.
Story takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Story moves out of range as Lionheart strikes.
Story tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lionheart was well out of range. Poor timing from Story.
Lionheart throws a big shot that misses.
Lionheart misses with a body shot.
Lionheart swings for the body but Story moves out of range.
Story lands a jab to the head.
Story misses with a hook. Lionheart ducked under it nicely.
Story walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Story throws a hook but Lionheart avoids it easily.
Story misses with a wild body shot.
Lionheart lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Story circles away quickly and effectively.
Story throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Story throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Richard Lionheart is winning the standup battle so far.
Lionheart misses with a straight right.
Lionheart misses with an uppercut. Story saw that one coming.
Lionheart shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Story as he avoids it easily.
Story with a hook.
Story lands with a shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Story avoids the body shot from Lionheart.
Story fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lionheart manages to avoid it.
Lionheart lands a nice hook to Story's body. Story takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Story tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lionheart fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Richard Lionheart. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Story shoots in and bounces Lionheart off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Story stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lionheart swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Story trying to control the position from guard on top but Lionheart is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Story looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Lionheart tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nick Story was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Lionheart connects with a jab.

Lionheart fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Story to the ground. Lionheart is now in Story's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Story keeping moving, preventing Lionheart from controlling successfully.
Story is wriggling around but Lionheart manages to pass to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lionheart is controlling the pace.
Lionheart sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Story defending well though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lionheart throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Lionheart thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lionheart throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Story to regain full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Lionheart dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Lionheart uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Story.
Story tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Story walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Lionheart throws a nice looking combination but Story bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Lionheart scores with a jab.
Good exchange - Lionheart coming out on top.
Lionheart ducks under a wild hook from Story.
Lionheart lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Story avoids the body shot from Lionheart.
Lionheart fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A big left from Story misses.
Story jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lionheart misses the jab.
Lionheart keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice defenses there by Story.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Lionheart. Beautiful body shot.
Lionheart dives in and grabs Story's left leg, looking for a takedown. Story pushes down on Lionheart's head and hops out.
Story connects with a looping right hand.
Story takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Story throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Story digs a good hook to Lionheart's body.
Story slips a jab from Lionheart.
Lionheart looks to score with a jab to the body but Story is just out of range.
Story fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Story takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Story misses with a looping right.

Story takes the fight into the clinch.

Story breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lionheart misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Story takes a swing at Lionheart's ribcage but misses.
Story thows a body shot but no joy.
Lionheart looks to score with a jab to the body but Story is just out of range.
Lionheart throws a lazy uppercut
letting Story counter with a right hand.
Lionheart thows a body shot but no joy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lionheart throws a left and a right that both miss
and Story counters with a nice body shot.
Story missing with a left hand there. Lionheart was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lionheart lands a right hook to the body.
Lionheart lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Lionheart fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Richard Lionheart. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lionheart misses with a looping right.
Story bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lionheart keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Story.
Lionheart misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Story.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lionheart takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Lionheart throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Story throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lionheart is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Story.
Lionheart throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Story is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Nice shot lands for Story.
Lionheart looks to score with a jab to the body but Story is just out of range.
Lionheart shoots and misses
and Story counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Story will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
The crowd cheers as Story lands an impressive looking overhand right. Lionheart doesn't seem phased though.
Lionheart misses with an uppercut.
Lionheart looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Lionheart cracks Story with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lionheart lands a right hook to the body.
Story looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lionheart is fending him off so far but Story persists. Nope, Lionheart circles away and we're back to standing.
Lionheart throws a looping overhand right but Story ducks down to avoid it.
Lionheart tries to score a power double leg takedown but Story sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lionheart somewhat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Story lands with a straight right. Lionheart didn't see that one coming.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Story throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nick Story has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Story throws a jab but it's blocked by Lionheart.
Lionheart shoots in and drives through. Story sprawls well.
Lionheart misses with a wild body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Story has closed the distance and engaged Lionheart in a clinch.

Story escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lionheart uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Story.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Richard Lionheart.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Lionheart, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Richard Lionheart!
A victorious Richard Lionheart thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.