PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ethan Lurch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leto The Lion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Ethan Lurch has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Lurch
vs
The Lion

192 cm
25
172 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

175 cm
24
172 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ethan Lurch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Leto The Lion!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Leandro Rodrigues and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lurch throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. The Lion was covering up waiting for the punch and Lurch finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if The Lion can do anything to dispel that myth.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
The Lion is adopting a defensive guard.
The Lion keeping moving, preventing Lurch from controlling successfully.
Lurch pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. The Lion is keeping the position for now.
Lurch will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Lurch sitting in guard here, content to control.
The Lion working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lurch.
We've been hearing good reports from Lurch's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lurch pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. The Lion is keeping the position for now.
Lurch really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Lurch's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Lurch passes The Lion's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Lurch with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Lurch thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lurch is just content to waste time from the top position. The Lion takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lurch postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lurch pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. The Lion is keeping the position for now.
Our spies down at at KalDom inform us that The Lion has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Lurch trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lurch 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.

Lurch drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and The Lion dives on top into guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
The Lion works over Lurch with some ground and pound from guard.
The Lion throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lurch works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The Lion preventing the sweep.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The Lion throws a big right hand that misses.
Lurch is trying to control the position but The Lion postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lurch has momentary wrist control but The Lion slips an elbow through the middle.
Lurch manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The Lion is desperately trying to improve his position but Lurch has a good base and remains in mount.
Lurch takes The Lion's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, The Lion is in trouble.
Lurch keeps control of the position as The Lion tries to break free.
The Lion staying busy and making it hard for Lurch to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Lion trying to control the action but Lurch just sinks the hooks in.
The Lion is really stuck here.

The Lion showing good submission defense here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lurch trying to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ethan Lurch dominated that 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.

The Lion gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Lurch to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Lurch trying to control but The Lion is working from the bottom.
The Lion controls Lurch momentarily but Lurch frees himself.

The Lion looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Lurch tries to free his leg and advance position but The Lion is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lurch slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Lurch avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Lurch is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lurch trying to control but The Lion is working from the bottom.

Ethan Lurch has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Lurch shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Lurch sitting in guard here, content to control.
Lurch looking to pass the guard.
Lurch missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lurch trying to control the position from guard on top but The Lion is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lurch cracks The Lion with a solid left hand.
Lurch postures up.
Lurch throwing strikes but missing.
Lurch forces his way into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lurch not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Lurch drops an elbow to the side of The Lion's head.
The Lion on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Lurch thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lurch missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lurch is looking to take a break and control but The Lion is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Lurch seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ethan Lurch dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

A momentary lapse in concentration from The Lion enables Lurch to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. The Lion manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Lurch wants to control from the top but The Lion keeps moving.

The Lion is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Lurch trying to control but The Lion is working from the bottom.
Lurch throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as The Lion works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lurch forces his way into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lurch is looking to take a break and control but The Lion is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The Lion regains full guard. Nicely done.
Lurch trying to control the position from guard on top but The Lion is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The Lion tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The Lion can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Lurch controls the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Ethan Lurch just wasn't active enough.

Lurch drives through with a takedown into The Lion's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Lurch avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Lurch missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The Lion has his foot on Lurch's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lurch works his way back into a safe position though.
Lurch sitting in guard here, content to control.
Lurch is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lurch stopping the sweep attempt from The Lion.
Lurch throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lurch content to stall in guard here.

Lurch drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but The Lion manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Lurch has The Lion in his guard.
The Lion must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Lion looking to sit in guard and control but Lurch gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Lurch stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. The Lion swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lurch preventing the sweep.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lurch wants to pass the guard but The Lion is keeping the position.
Leto The Lion has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ethan Lurch is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

The Lion has an active guard here but Lurch has managed to pass into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ethan Lurch showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Lurch has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ethan Lurch!
Ethan Lurch seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.