PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between God Save the Queen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lionel Messi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). God Save the Queen has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Save the Queen
vs
Messi

192 cm
27
215 lbs
17 - 4 - 0

186 cm
21
217 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, God Save the Queen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lionel Messi!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Daniel Franklin and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Queen clinches up with Messi and pushes him back against the cage.
Messi is trying to drag Queen to the mat but Queen just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Queen tries to work over Messi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Messi is working for takedown but Queen is calmly controlling the position for now.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Messi.
A left hand lands to the body for Queen.
Messi tries to score a body lock takedown but Queen shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
God Save the Queen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lionel Messi.
Queen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Queen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Queen digs a right hand underneath Messi's ribcage. Messi let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Messi gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Queen is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Queen wants to get back to full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Queen tries to kick Messi off but Messi keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Messi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Messi not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Messi with the ground and pound but Queen uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Messi postures up and lands a big shot to Queen's brow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Queen controlling the position.
Messi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Queen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Queen pulls Messi in to control the position.
Messi makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Queen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Messi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Messi content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
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!
Messi scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messi looking to pass the guard.
Messi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Messi trying to control but Queen is working from the bottom.
Messi chips away with some ground and pound.
Messi lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Messi looking to pass the guard.
Queen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Messi is controlling him.
Messi lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Messi throws a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Queen wants to stand but Messi is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messi works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Messi drops an elbow to the side of Queen's head.
Messi slows the pace down in half guard.
Messi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Messi trying to control from half guard but Queen is working away.
Messi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Messi missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Queen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Messi.
Queen pushes Messi off looking to stand but Messi dives back in and keeps control.
Messi scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Queen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Messi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messi drops an elbow to the side of Queen's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Queen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Queen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Messi.
Nice strikes from Messi there.
Queen on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Queen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Messi.
Messi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Messi trying to mount his opponent but Queen defends it.
Messi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Messi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Queen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Messi winds up and cracks Queen with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lionel Messi dominated 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.

Messi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Queen counters with a straight right hand.

Messi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Messi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Queen is adopting a defensive guard.
Messi won't allow Queen to get back to his feet.
Messi postures up.
Messi throws a big right hand that misses.
Messi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Queen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Queen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Messi.
Messi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Messi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Queen wants to stand and escape but Messi is having none of it.
Messi works over Queen with some ground and pound from guard.
Messi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Messi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Messi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lionel Messi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Messi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Messi with a nice head shot there.
Messi throwing strikes but missing.
Messi throwing strikes but missing.
Messi trying to control but Queen is working from the bottom.
Messi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messi trying to control the position from guard on top but Queen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Messi postures up and lands a big shot to Queen's brow.
Messi trying to control but Queen is working from the bottom.
Messi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Messi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Messi chips away with some ground and pound.
Queen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Messi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Messi content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Messi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Messi trying to control but Queen is working from the bottom.
Messi being controlled here momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Queen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Messi.
Messi throwing strikes but missing.
Messi throwing strikes from guard but Queen blocks nicely.
Messi postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Queen keeping moving, preventing Messi from controlling successfully.
Messi stands up over Queen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Queen controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messi cracks Queen with a solid left hand.
Queen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Messi landing with the ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Messi chips away with some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Messi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Messi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Messi lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Queen keeping moving, preventing Messi from controlling successfully.
Queen controls Messi momentarily but Messi frees himself.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Messi's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Messi lands a couple of decent looking shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lionel Messi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Queen misses with a lunging right hand
and Messi counters with a nice leg kick.
Messi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Queen.
Messi with a poor takedown
and Queen counters with a body kick that stops Messi in his tracks momentarily.
Queen throws a sloppy head kick and Messi moves out of range easily.
An inside leg kick from Queen misses.
Queen misses with a kick to the body.
Queen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Messi was well out of range. Poor timing from Queen.
Queen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Messi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Queen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
God Save the Queen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Queen misses with an attempted mid kick.
Messi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Queen throws out the jab.
Queen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Messi shoots for a takedown but Queen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Queen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Messi tries for a takedown but Queen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
God Save the Queen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lionel Messi.
Messi avoids the body shot from Queen.
Queen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Messi was well out of range. Poor timing from Queen.
Messi staying out of range there.
Queen misses with a straight right.
Queen throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Queen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Messi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
God Save the Queen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Queen misses with a straight left.
Queen lands a jab to the head.
Queen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Messi.
Queen throws a head kick that misses.
Queen misses with a low kick.
Messi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Queen fails to land with a series of punches.
Queen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Messi.
Queen lands a head kick. Messi smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Queen tried to score with a low kick but Messi checks it.
Queen takes a swing at Messi's ribcage but misses.
Queen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Messi avoids the head kick by Queen.
Lionel Messi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Queen gets caught flat footed, as Messi shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Messi is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Let's hope that Messi has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Messi trying to control the position from guard on top but Queen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Queen is pulling down on Messi's head. It's preventing any offense from Messi, at least for the moment.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Messi trying to control the position from guard on top but Queen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Lionel Messi wasn't active enough on the ground.
Messi takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Messi takes one to the side of the head.
Queen is looking to land body kicks.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Queen misses the body punch
and Messi makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Messi shoots in for a takedown but Queen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
God Save the Queen showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Messi 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lionel Messi!
An out of breath Lionel Messi thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.