PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ron Lemieux (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hector Linhares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Lemieux might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Sliwa. Linhares has chosen Los Sicarios, Sokol, Koras - A veces as his entrance music. This should be a great matchup!

Lemieux
vs
Linhares

179 cm
27
135 lbs
15 - 2 - 0

176 cm
23
145 lbs
10 - 2 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry
Fury Nutrition Inc.

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ron Lemieux!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Hector Linhares!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Ian Loll and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Linhares ducks under a wild hook from Lemieux.
Linhares misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Linhares slips a jab from Lemieux.
Lemieux throws a head kick that misses.
Lemieux fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Linhares manages to avoid it.
Linhares misses with a wild body shot.
Linhares throws a series of punches but Lemieux avoids them all with ease.
Linhares bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Linhares tries to clinch but Lemieux is having none of it.
Lemieux slips a jab from Linhares.
Lemieux connects with a good right hand that stumbles Linhares. Linhares circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Linhares scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Lemieux just misses with a punch to the body.
Lemieux lands a body shot.

Lemieux looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Linhares blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lemieux.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lemieux with the ground and pound but Linhares uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Linhares managing to control the position.
Linhares is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Lemieux is trying to get back to full guard.
Lemieux manages to get to full guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lemieux is looking for a triangle but Linhares pushes his legs off easily.
Lemieux really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Lemieux avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

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

Lemieux had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Linhares defends it easily.
Lemieux looking to hit a scissor sweep but Linhares is one step ahead there.
Lemieux is trying to keep Linhares in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Linhares controls from within his opponent's guard.

Lemieux looking for subs off his back but Linhares has passed one foot through into half guard.

Lemieux looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Linhares pushes past his half guard into mount!
Lemieux is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux taking shots to the head.
Linhares controlling his opponent.
Lemieux bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Linhares bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Lemieux's guard.

Lemieux throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Linhares sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Lemieux's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lemieux trying to control here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ron Lemieux will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lemieux misses with a low kick as Linhares jumps back.

Lemieux shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Linhares manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Lemieux won't allow Linhares to sweep him here.
Ron Lemieux overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lemieux trying to control the position from guard on top but Linhares is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lemieux throws a big right hand that misses.
Linhares looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lemieux throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lemieux passes Linhares's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Linhares tries to get to full guard but Lemieux has control of the leg.
Lemieux sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Linhares defending well though.
Lemieux thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Linhares felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Lemieux lands strikes from half guard.
Lemieux thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Linhares's head.
Lemieux missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Lemieux throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Linhares blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lemieux.
Linhares wants to control but Lemieux is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux prevents Linhares from improving his position.
Lemieux wants to lay and pray for a moment but Linhares keeps working.

Lemieux is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Linhares doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Lemieux.
Lemieux seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Linhares does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Lemieux thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Linhares's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Linhares is looking for a sweep. Lemieux is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Linhares wants to control but Lemieux is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Lemieux wants to lay and pray for a moment but Linhares keeps working.
Lemieux thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lemieux not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Linhares is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Lemieux seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Linhares does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Lemieux is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Linhares is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Linhares lands a lovely overhand right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Linhares scores with a jab to the body.
Linhares swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lemieux motions for Linhares to come forward. Lemieux throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Lemieux keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lemieux checks the leg kick.
Linhares misses the shot to the body.
Linhares takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Lemieux uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Linhares.
Lemieux scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Linhares doesn't seem bothered though.
Linhares misses with a looping right.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lemieux shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Linhares as he avoids it easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lemieux pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nice takedown defense from Linhares. No joy for Lemieux on that attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ron Lemieux dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Linhares lands a nice shot to the body.
Lemieux looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
The fight stays on the outside here - Linhares looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lemieux misses the shot to the body.
Linhares lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A telegraphed right hand from Lemieux misses the target.
Lemieux has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Linhares throws a half hearted mid kick.
Linhares is looking to clinch but Lemieux is avoiding it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Linhares, right into the meat.
Linhares tries to clinch up but Lemieux circles away and keeps his distance.
Linhares connects with an inside leg kick.
Linhares tries a low kick but Lemieux avoids it.
Linhares throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linhares takes one on the button.
Linhares takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Linhares throws a right and a left that both miss.
Linhares throws a hook but Lemieux blocks it.
Linhares jabs at Lemieux's body.
Linhares avoids the body shot from Lemieux.
Linhares misses with a hook. Lemieux ducked under it nicely.
Linhares throws a low kick but Lemieux avoids it.
Linhares scores with a nice head shot.
Linhares throws a leg kick but Lemieux sees it coming and moves out of range.
Lemieux misses with a low kick.
Lemieux on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hector Linhares seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Donk. Lemieux catches Linhares right on the button with a cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Linhares just misses with a punch to the body.
Lemieux throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Linhares tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lemieux paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Linhares tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Lemieux counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lemieux pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Linhares is keeping the position for now.
Lemieux in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lemieux pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Linhares is keeping the position for now.
Lemieux wants to control from the top but Linhares keeps moving.
Lemieux stopping the sweep attempt from Linhares.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lemieux is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Lemieux pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Linhares is keeping the position for now.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Lemieux's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Linhares looking for a sweep. Not yet Linhares, not yet.
Lemieux wants to control from the top but Linhares keeps moving.
Lemieux loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lemieux trying to control the position from guard on top but Linhares is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Lemieux cracks Linhares with a solid left hand.
Lemieux working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lemieux accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lemieux trying to control but Linhares is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lemieux accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lemieux throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Ron Lemieux did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Linhares connects with a good right hand that stumbles Lemieux. Lemieux circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Lemieux blocks the body kick.
Linhares throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Lemieux throws a shot from downtown. Linhares moves away and avoids it.
Linhares stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Lemieux.
Linhares scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Lemieux doesn't seem bothered though.
Linhares thuds his right hand into Lemieux's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Lemieux lands a nice hook to Linhares's body. Linhares takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Lemieux works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A jab from Lemieux does it's job there.
Linhares tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Lemieux is able to avoid easily.
Lemieux rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Linhares counters with a solid body kick.
Lemieux fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Linhares misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linhares misses with a body kick.
Linhares cracks a nice hook into Lemieux's ribs.
Linhares throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lemieux sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lemieux looks to score with a jab to the body but Linhares is just out of range.
Lemieux connects with a jab.
Lemieux with a nice cross.
Linhares misses with a kick to the body.
A decent looking cross lands there for Lemieux.
Lemieux shoots in for a double leg but Linhares sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Linhares ducks under a wild hook from Lemieux.
Linhares changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Linhares throws a nice inside leg kick.
Linhares throws a head kick that misses

and Lemieux counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Linhares's guard now.
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!
Linhares trying to control the position here.
Lemieux throws a big elbow that misses.
Lemieux trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lemieux trying to control the position from guard on top but Linhares is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lemieux throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Linhares works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Linhares not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Linhares keeping moving, preventing Lemieux from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux slips nicely into half guard.
Lemieux thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Linhares's head.

Lemieux 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.

Lemieux is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lemieux is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Linhares sees it coming and defends easily.
Lemieux is keen to just control but Linhares is a slippery customer.
Lemieux missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Linhares works his way to full guard. Good work.
Lemieux postures up in Linhares's guard and throws a big left but Linhares blocks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lemieux loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Linhares is trying to control the position but Lemieux postures up.
Linhares looking for a sweep. Not yet Linhares, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Ron Lemieux will probably get the nod.
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!

Nice shot lands for Lemieux.
Lemieux keeps the fight on the outside.
Lemieux takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Lemieux with a hook.
Lemieux pivots, looking for a leg kick but Linhares is out of range and Lemieux settles back down.
Linhares tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lemieux was well out of range. Poor timing from Linhares.
Donk. Linhares catches Lemieux right on the button with a cross.
Linhares moves out of range as Lemieux throws a body kick.
Lemieux scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Linhares throws out a loose jab but Lemieux uses good head movement to avoid it.
Linhares misses with a leg kick

so Lemieux counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Lemieux won't allow Linhares to sweep him here.
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!
Linhares has control of Lemieux's left arm, preventing Lemieux from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linhares is trying to control the position but Lemieux postures up.
Lemieux pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Linhares is keeping the position for now.
Linhares trying to keep a closed guard but Lemieux is proving a slippery customer.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Hector Linhares hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Linhares tries to score with a low kick but Lemieux moves his leg out of the way.
Linhares misses with a looping right.
Lemieux blocks the body kick.
Lemieux fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Linhares.
Lemieux takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Lemieux pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Linhares back to the cage. Lemieux follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Linhares is fending him off so far but Lemieux persists. Nope, Linhares circles away and we're back to standing.

Linhares tries to sprawl but Lemieux drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Lemieux is looking for a kimura but Linhares is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Lemieux to get the leverage.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Linhares slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Linhares looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Hector Linhares has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lemieux throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Linhares works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Linhares keeping moving, preventing Lemieux from controlling successfully.
Lemieux stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Linhares swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux postures up in Linhares's guard and throws a big left but Linhares blocks it.
Ron Lemieux is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Linhares wants to stand but Lemieux is controlling the position.
Lemieux trying to control the position from guard on top but Linhares is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Ron Lemieux.
Nice takedown defense from Linhares. No joy for Lemieux on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Linhares.
Linhares scores with a jab to the jaw.
Lemieux punishes Linhares's body with a nice straight punch.
Lemieux misses with a low kick as Linhares jumps back.
Linhares misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Linhares is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Linhares throws a solid leg kick but Lemieux takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Linhares.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Linhares swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A decent looking cross lands there for Linhares.
Linhares is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Lemieux.

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 Ron Lemieux.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Lemieux, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 50:46
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 50:45
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ron Lemieux!
Ron Lemieux retains his bantamweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Ron Lemieux thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.