PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Demetrius Tektas (ranked 785 p4p, 74 weight class) and Joseph OByrne (ranked 2461 p4p, 237 weight class). Tektas comes to the cage accompanied by Alexander The Great. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Tektas
vs
OByrne

182 cm
22
165 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
160 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

IniTech Nutrition
Mockstar Energy Drinks 160Q

Vikai Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Demetrius Tektas!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joseph OByrne!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
OByrne uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tektas.
Tektas takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Tektas shoots in for a takedown but OByrne shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
OByrne misses with a body kick.
OByrne walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
OByrne throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Tektas shoots and misses
and OByrne counters with a good low kick that Tektas was not able to check.
Tektas takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
We've been hearing reports that Tektas has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OByrne walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
OByrne lands a nice leg kick that just misses Tektas's sensitive parts.
Tektas is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by OByrne.
OByrne fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Tektas has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OByrne feints and then cracks Tektas's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tektas down.
OByrne motions for Tektas to come forward. OByrne throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A punch lands to the side of Tektas 's head but he takes it in his stride.
OByrne misses with a looping left.
Tektas misses with an uppercut. OByrne saw that one coming.
Sloppy strikes from Tektas. Those never looked like landing.
OByrne moves out of range of the strikes.
Tektas shoots in looking for a takedown. OByrne tries to sprawl out of it but Tektas keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. OByrne manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Demetrius Tektas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tektas throws a leg kick
and OByrne counters with an outside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OByrne ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
OByrne goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Tektas on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Tektas misses with a wild body shot.
OByrne dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tektas. That did some damage!
Tektas throws a hook but OByrne avoids it easily.
Tektas on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tektas throws a body punch but OByrne moves out of range.
Tektas throws a body shot but no joy.
OByrne throws out a counter right but Tektas avoids it with no problem.
Nice defenses there by OByrne.
A swing and a miss from Tektas.
Tektas gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OByrne throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Tektas appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
OByrne turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Tektas doesn't succeed with the takedown
and OByrne counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tektas is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
OByrne throws out a loose jab but Tektas uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tektas misses with a looping left.
Tektas shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Tektas chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before OByrne can pounce on him.
OByrne takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Tektas checks a leg kick.
Tektas takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick there by OByrne.
OByrne's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Tektas connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! OByrne scrambles back to his feet.
Tektas tries to score with a low kick but OByrne moves his leg out of the way.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
OByrne lands a head shot.
Good leg kick by OByrne there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
OByrne wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Tektas with a jab.
Tektas misses with a body shot
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
OByrne slips a straight right by Tektas.
Tektas takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
OByrne tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Tektas is able to avoid easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

OByrne lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Tektas lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Tektas rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and OByrne counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Tektas takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A looping hook to the body misses from OByrne. Tektas does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tektas on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
OByrne throws a low kick but Tektas avoids it.
OByrne lands with an overhand left.
OByrne has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jab by OByrne.
OByrne misses with a body shot.
OByrne scores with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OByrne changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
OByrne misses with a low kick as Tektas jumps back.
Tektas looks to score with a jab to the body but OByrne is just out of range.
Tektas fails with the takedown
and OByrne counters with a nice body shot.
OByrne tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tektas was well out of range. Poor timing from OByrne.
An inside leg kick lands from OByrne.
OByrne slips under a jab from Tektas.
Joseph OByrne is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tektas throws a big shot that misses.
Tektas moves out of range of the body kick from OByrne.
Crunch! OByrne slams his shin into Tektas's torso.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tektas misses with a straight right.
OByrne throws a chopping leg kick but Tektas manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
OByrne digs a good hook to Tektas's body.
Tektas takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tektas throws a hook but OByrne blocks it.
OByrne scores with a leg kick.
Tektas moves out of range as OByrne throws a body kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
OByrne lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
OByrne lands a nice leg kick that just misses Tektas's sensitive parts.
Joseph OByrne seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tektas avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
OByrne lands a body shot.
Joseph OByrne seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Tektas throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tektas avoids the body shot from OByrne.
Tektas misses with a straight right.
OByrne has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Tektas shoots in and gets a takedown into OByrne's guard.
Tektas looking to pass the guard.
OByrne keeping moving, preventing Tektas from controlling successfully.
OByrne has Tektas pulled in close to control his posture.
Tektas pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. OByrne is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tektas trying to control but OByrne is working from the bottom.
Tektas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now OByrne is on top in guard.

Tektas is trying to control the position from the bottom.
OByrne slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Tektas.
Tektas missing with punches from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph OByrne showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

A solid leg kick lands there for OByrne.
OByrne has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Tektas finds it's way round the side to connect with OByrne's head.
OByrne closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Tektas tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. OByrne manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
As Tektas backs off OByrne throws a huge counter combo but Tektas manages to avoid it all.
Tektas misses with a low kick.
Tektas misses with a shot to the body
and Tektas takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A lazy body kick from OByrne

and Tektas counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Tektas is looking for a kimura here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
OByrne tries to roll over but Tektas keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tektas passes to side control.
Tektas wants to control but OByrne is keeping him busy.

Tektas is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, OByrne has escaped the position, nice work there.

Tektas goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, OByrne has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Tektas but great work by OByrne.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tektas is looking to regain half guard here but OByrne keeps moving and retains side control.
Tektas being controlled for a moment.
Tektas tries to buck OByrne off but OByrne is having none of it.
Tektas wants to control but OByrne postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tektas is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Tektas can't do much from the bottom here.
Tektas is looking to regain half guard here but OByrne keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Tektas is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Tektas is trying to control but can't.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nice straight punches there by OByrne. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of OByrne.
Tektas looks to score with a jab to the body but OByrne is just out of range.
Tektas clobbers OByrne with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
OByrne dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tektas. That did some damage!
OByrne lands a slapping body shot.
OByrne blocks a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Joseph OByrne 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.

Tektas blocks the body kick.
OByrne avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tektas connects with a body shot.
OByrne misses with a leg kick.
OByrne buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
OByrne scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Tektas throws the left hand but OByrne avoids the punch easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OByrne moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
OByrne moves away from the strike by Tektas.

Tektas darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
OByrne wants to improve his position but Tektas is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tektas missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Tektas wants to take a breather but OByrne is having none of it.

Tektas wants to work for an arm triangle but OByrne is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Tektas is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and OByrne defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Tektas takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Demetrius Tektas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tektas tries to pass the half guard into mount. OByrne knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Tektas is keen to just control but OByrne is a slippery customer.

Tektas 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.
Tektas is looking to advance position but OByrne won't allow it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tektas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but OByrne was well out of range. Poor timing from Tektas.
Tektas misses with an uppercut. OByrne saw that one coming.
OByrne throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
OByrne has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Tektas finds it's way round the side to connect with OByrne's head.
OByrne fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tektas manages to avoid it.
Tektas is looking to score with low kicks.
Tektas fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but OByrne is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OByrne throws a shot to the body.
OByrne is looking to land body kicks.
Tektas shoots in looking for a takedown. OByrne tries to sprawl out of it but Tektas keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. OByrne manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A telegraphed right hand from Tektas misses the target.
Tektas throws an ugly left hook that misses
and OByrne makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
OByrne connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
OByrne takes a swing at Tektas's ribcage but misses.
Tektas misses the shot to the body.
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 Demetrius Tektas will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Tektas takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Tektas takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
OByrne feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Tektas's calf.
OByrne cracks a nice hook into Tektas's ribs.
OByrne connects with a body shot that sends Tektas's belly button to the back.
A lazy body kick from OByrne

and Tektas counters with a takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
OByrne is looking to regain half guard here but Tektas keeps moving and retains side control.

Tektas tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Tektas has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
OByrne wants to control but Tektas postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tektas is trying to get an arm triangle but OByrne is defending well.

Tektas is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. OByrne knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Tektas wants to control but OByrne is keeping him busy.

Tektas is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, OByrne has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Tektas throws a strike aimed at the side of OByrne's head but OByrne avoids it well.
Tektas wants to control but OByrne is keeping him busy.
OByrne tries to bench press Tektas off him but Tektas keeps the position.
Tektas is looking to take a break and control but OByrne is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Tektas working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tektas wants to control but OByrne is keeping him busy.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Tektas will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Tektas thows a left - swing and a miss!
OByrne throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tektas stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Tektas misses with a hook
and OByrne counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
OByrne goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Demetrius Tektas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tektas thows a left - swing and a miss!
OByrne throws out a leg kick but Tektas moves out of range and OByrne only half commits.
OByrne fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Tektas has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
OByrne sizes up Tektas with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Tektas throws a sloppy body shot
and OByrne counters with a nice kick to the body.
Tektas throws a hook to the side of OByrne's head but OByrne sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
OByrne jabs Tektas right on the nose. Tektas blinks but takes it well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tektas comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
OByrne connects with an inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joseph OByrne comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think OByrne 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 46:49
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 46:49
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joseph OByrne!
Joseph OByrne is the new lightweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Joseph OByrne thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
In defeat, Demetrius Tektas stepped up to the mic, saying 'I am sorry . I did all my best. '.