PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Elias Lyon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and St Petersburg Strangler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Lyon
vs
Petersburg Strangler

163 cm
23
142 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

174 cm
25
145 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Elias Lyon!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, St Petersburg Strangler!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Yves DeLean and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lyon darts in looking for a takedown but Strangler gets double underhooks and turns Lyon into the cage.
A nice inside leg kick there by Strangler. That's going to slow Lyon down.
Lyon misses with an uppercut. Strangler saw that one coming.
Strangler throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Lyon on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Strangler turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Good leg kick by Strangler there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Lyon on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Strangler. Strangler obviously looking to wear him down.
Strangler slips a jab from Lyon.
Strangler lands a leg kick that knocks Lyon off balance momentarily.
Strangler throws a leg kick

and Lyon counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Strangler throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Lyon forces his way into half guard.
Strangler has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Lyon is working away from the top position though.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Strangler is not content to let Lyon control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lyon seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Strangler trying to control from the bottom.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Lyon in particular looking to stall.
Strangler has hold of Lyon's hands but Lyon slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Strangler tries to get to full guard but Lyon has control of the leg.
Lyon is taking a breather. Strangler says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Lyon 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.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Lyon lands a nice short elbow.
Lyon working the head and body with strikes.
Lyon throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Lyon prevents Strangler from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lyon is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lyon trying to mount his opponent but Strangler defends it.
Strangler trying to control here.
Lyon is trying to control. Strangler wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Strangler wants to improve his position but Lyon is controlling well.
Strangler trying to hold on to Lyon's head to control him but Lyon postures up.
Lyon performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Lyon lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strangler misses with some strikes 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. Lyon connects with a nice short shot to Strangler's temple.
Lyon stalling.
Strangler flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Lyon looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Strangler with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Lyon is looking to advance position but Strangler won't allow it.
Lyon working over Strangler with some ground and pound. Strangler looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Strangler actively working from the bottom here.
Lyon stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strangler moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Lyon stops Strangler from standing up.
Strangler wants to control the position but Lyon says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Lyon is pressing down on Strangler's thigh, looking to free his foot. Strangler is holding on for now.
Lyon passes into side control, despite Strangler's attempt to control the position.

Lyon looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Strangler sneaks back into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elias Lyon 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.

That kick from Strangler tenderised Lyon's leg. Lyon is trying to keep his angry face on.
Strangler thumps Lyon with a low kick.
Strangler will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Lyon appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Lyon on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Strangler. Strangler obviously looking to wear him down.
Lyon fails with a takedown attempt.
Strangler has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Lyon checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Strangler fails with the takedown.
Strangler shoots in for a double leg but Lyon sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Elias Lyon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of St Petersburg Strangler.
Strangler tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lyon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A quick step to the side and Lyon tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Strangler scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Lyon tries to land a front kick but Strangler steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Lyon lands with a right hand.
Strangler shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lyon as he avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strangler thumps Lyon with a low kick.
Strangler fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Lyon shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Lyon was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Strangler wants to get back to his feet but Lyon is dominant here and he's now got Strangler's back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Strangler wants to get back to his feet.
Elias Lyon overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Strangler is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Lyon has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Strangler's body.
Strangler is taking damage to the body and head.
Strangler is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Lyon off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good control from Lyon.
Strangler breaks Lyon's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lyon working a defensive guard here.
Strangler throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Strangler is looking to work some ground and pound but Lyon has wrist control.
Strangler throwing strikes from guard but Lyon blocks nicely.
Lyon is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Strangler working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Strangler postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Strangler throws an elbow that misses. Lyon uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Strangler's guard. Nice move by Lyon!

Hammerfist, elbow! yells Lyon's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strangler trying to keep a closed guard but Lyon is proving a slippery customer.
Lyon postures up and lands a big shot to Strangler's brow.
Lyon lands a couple of elbows.
Strangler being controlled here, momentarily.
Strangler controlling the position.
Strangler not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Lyon stopping the sweep attempt from Strangler.
Strangler is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Lyon 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.
Lyon scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lyon controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Strangler looking for a sweep. Not yet Strangler, not yet.
Lyon wants to control from the top but Strangler keeps moving.
Strangler looking for a sweep. Not yet Strangler, not yet.
Lyon controls from within his opponent's guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Lyon connects with a couple of short punches.
Lyon trying to control but Strangler is working from the bottom.
Lyon might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Lyon chips away with some ground and pound.
Lyon wants to pass the guard but Strangler is keeping the position.
Lyon scoring with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elias Lyon dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Lyon chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Strangler can pounce on him.
Lyon shoots for a takedown but Strangler saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Strangler unleashes a big counter combination but Lyon bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Lyon shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Strangler as he avoids it easily.
Lyon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Strangler lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Strangler throws a low kick but Lyon moves out of range easily.
Lyon stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Strangler.
Nice defenses there by Strangler.
Lyon is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Strangler throws a nice outside leg kick.
Strangler fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Lyon gets caught flat footed, as Strangler shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Lyon is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Lyon preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Strangler loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lyon is trying to control the position but Strangler postures up.
Strangler keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Lyon's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strangler postures up in Lyon's guard and throws a big left but Lyon blocks it.
Lyon looking to control.
Lyon looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lyon manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Strangler manages to get himself to full guard.

Strangler throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Strangler keeping moving, preventing Lyon from controlling successfully.
Strangler controlling Lyon's posture.
Lyon content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
We've been hearing that Lyon has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strangler working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lyon.
Lyon works over Strangler with some ground and pound from guard.
Lyon is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Strangler bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Lyon's guard.

Lyon controlling the position.
Strangler throwing strikes but missing.
Lyon keeping moving, preventing Strangler from controlling successfully.
Lyon is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Strangler is staying active underneath Lyon, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Strangler wants to control but Lyon passes into side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strangler is looking to regain half guard here but Lyon keeps moving and retains side control.
Strangler takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Lyon lands a decent elbow from side control.
Strangler tries to improve position but can't.
Lyon gets to mount! Strangler was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Strangler is desperately trying to improve his position but Lyon has a good base and remains in mount.
Strangler wants to control but Lyon is having none of it.
Strangler is trying to escape the mount.
Lyon trying to control but Strangler is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strangler slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Ground and pound from Lyon.
Lyon is taking a breather. Strangler says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Lyon wants to lay and pray for a moment but Strangler keeps working.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Strangler tries to get to full guard but Lyon has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but St Petersburg Strangler just about did enough to take it.
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.

An inside leg kick lands from Strangler.
Strangler misses with a leg kick.
Lyon looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Strangler is fending him off so far but Lyon persists. Nope, Strangler circles away and we're back to standing.
Lyon leaves Strangler with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
St Petersburg Strangler seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Strangler shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lyon defends it nicely.
Lyon tries to score a power double leg takedown but Strangler sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lyon somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strangler stalks Lyon and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Lyon's face. Lyon staggers backwards, shaken.
Strangler feints and then cracks Lyon's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Lyon down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strangler stuffs the takedown attempt from Lyon. Lyon gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Elias Lyon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Strangler fails with a takedown attempt.
Strangler fails with the takedown.
An inside leg kick lands from Strangler.
Strangler fails with a takedown attempt.
Strangler fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Lyon feinted with a counter takedown.
Lyon throws a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strangler with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A nice inside leg kick there by Strangler. That's going to slow Lyon down.
Strangler lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Lyon jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lyon misses with a takedown attempt - Strangler sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lyon tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Strangler defends well and Lyon ends up having to push Strangler into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Strangler steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lyon.
Strangler tries to bum rush Lyon with a series of wild strikes but Lyon uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nice takedown defense from Lyon. No joy for Strangler on that attempt.
Lyon misses with an uppercut.
Strangler displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lyon.
Strangler connects with a solid leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strangler lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
St Petersburg Strangler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lyon stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lyon wants it to stay on the feet.
Lyon was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Strangler turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Strangler walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Lyon checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Strangler dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lyon. That did some damage!
Lyon tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Lyon dodges the punch combination from Strangler.
Strangler lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Lyon showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Strangler.
Lyon half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Strangler tries to land a leg kick but Lyon saw it coming and moves away.
Lyon fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strangler lands a nice hook to Lyon's body. Lyon takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Strangler dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lyon. That did some damage!
Strangler fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Strangler throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Strangler thows a leg kick but Lyon checks it
and Lyon counters with a straight right hand.
That kick from Strangler tenderised Lyon's leg. Lyon is trying to keep his angry face on.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lyon is defended easily by Strangler.
Strangler shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lyon as he avoids it easily.
It looked like Lyon wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
No luck for Strangler with that takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Strangler.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

St Petersburg Strangler dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Strangler feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Lyon's calf.
Lyon throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Strangler shoots in looking for a takedown but Lyon manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Strangler's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lyon appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Strangler tries a low kick but Lyon avoids it.
Lyon appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Lyon shoots in but no luck this time.
Strangler will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Strangler slips under a jab from Lyon.
Strangler shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Lyon checks a leg kick nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lyon shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Strangler pinned against the cage. Strangler gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Strangler fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Elias Lyon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of St Petersburg Strangler.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strangler fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Strangler tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Lyon appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Strangler scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Strangler will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Lyon attempts a counter takedown but Strangler avoids it well and moves away.
Strangler shoots in for a takedown but Lyon shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Strangler is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Strangler tries to score with a low kick but Lyon moves his leg out of the way.
Strangler does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Strangler.
Strangler uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lyon.
Lyon throws a hook but Strangler blocks it.
Lyon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Strangler moves away.
Strangler feints the counter takedown.
Strangler shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lyon as he avoids it easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Lyon misses the target.
Strangler shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
No luck for Lyon with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strangler misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lyon.
Strangler throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lyon is looking to counter punch.
Strangler lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Lyon is looking to score with low kicks.
Lyon takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Lyon fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Horrible takedown attempt by Lyon or perhaps it was just good defense by Strangler, which made it look bad.
And Strangler tries to counter it with a takedown but Lyon pushes his down on his head and steps out.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Strangler scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Strangler.
An inside leg kick lands from Strangler.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Strangler.
Lyon is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Strangler's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.

Strangler closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Lyon did well to prevent Strangler getting side control.
Strangler throws a strike but Lyon avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Strangler postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Strangler in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lyon is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Strangler loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Strangler with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Lyon trying to keep a closed guard but Strangler is proving a slippery customer.
Lyon looking to hit a scissor sweep but Strangler is one step ahead there.
Lyon lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strangler throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Strangler bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Lyon's guard.

Lyon lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Strangler looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lyon is one step ahead there.
Lyon postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Strangler doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Lyon passes into half guard.
Lyon works his way into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
St Petersburg Strangler comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Strangler 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 47:48
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 47:48
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... St Petersburg Strangler!
St Petersburg Strangler is the new featherweight champion!
St Petersburg Strangler was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.