PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mister Gibbs (ranked 4714 p4p, 485 weight class) and John Lemon (ranked 2040 p4p, 251 weight class). Lemon has chosen The New Potatoes as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gibbs
vs
Lemon

175 cm
19
185 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

182 cm
24
180 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mister Gibbs!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Lemon!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gibbs misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lemon has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Gibbs is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Gibbs blocks the body kick.
Gibbs misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gibbs misses with a few strikes there.
Gibbs swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Lemon moves into range and clinches up with Gibbs.
Gibbs looking to slow down the pace here.
Gibbs is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Lemon lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Lemon trying to land knees to the body.
Gibbs tries to pull guard but Lemon forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lemon holding his opponent close, against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Lemon lands a nice knee to the body.
Gibbs tries to break free but Lemon pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gibbs's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Gibbs gets control of Lemon's arms and successfully pulls guard. Gibbs will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Lemon controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Gibbs thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Lemon sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Gibbs throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Gibbs wants to sweep here but Lemon controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gibbs is pulling down on Lemon's head to control his posture.
Gibbs 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Lemon moves into the clinch.
Lemon lands with a right to the head.
Gibbs stalling in the clinch but Lemon improves position.
Gibbs being controlled against the cage.
Lemon stalling in the clinch.
Lemon lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Gibbs fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Lemon using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gibbs has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lemon lands a nice knee to the body.
Gibbs tries to pull guard but Lemon won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mister Gibbs. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gibbs takes a knee right on the jaw!
Gibbs is trying to pull guard but Lemon turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Lemon manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Lemon slowing the pace effectively.
Gibbs just leaning against Lemon, taking a breather.
Lemon crunches a lovely knee into Gibbs's ribcage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Lemon.
Lemon lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gibbs backwards.
Gibbs tries to break the clinch but Lemon is controlling the position.
Lemon unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Gibbs escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Gibbs tries to keep at a distance but Lemon has taken the fight into the clinch.
Lemon stalling.

Gibbs has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Lemon uses from the top position.
Gibbs seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Lemon content to stall in guard here.
Gibbs is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Gibbs 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gibbs trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Gibbs is trying to keep Lemon in close.

Gibbs looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Lemon passes into half guard.

Gibbs looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Lemon dominated that round.
That's time! Gibbs's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lemon swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lemon scores with a three punch combo!
Lemon tries to clinch but Gibbs is having none of it.
Gibbs lands an overhand right.
Lemon avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gibbs scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Lemon doesn't seem bothered though.

Lemon moves into the clinch.
Gibbs is trying to pull guard but Lemon turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Lemon.
Lemon lands a right hand.
Gibbs tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gibbs swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Lemon lands with a left to the head.
Lemon softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Gibbs tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lemon's elbow.
Lemon lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Gibbs pulls guard effortlessly.
Lemon content to stall in guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gibbs is on top in guard.

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

Gibbs is trying to control the position but Lemon postures up.

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

Gibbs is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lemon pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lemon performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Gibbs tries to get to full guard but Lemon has control of the leg.
Lemon blocks the strikes from Gibbs.
Gibbs trying to control here.
Gibbs is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gibbs is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lemon content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Gibbs is trying to get back to full guard.
Gibbs misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Lemon keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Gibbs wants to control but Lemon is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Lemon scores with a punch to the head.
Donk. Gibbs catches Lemon right on the button with a cross.
Gibbs stalks Lemon and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Lemon's face. Lemon staggers backwards, shaken.
Lemon lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Lemon fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gibbs, pushing him back against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Gibbs is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Lemon tries to land knees in the clinch but Gibbs avoids the damage to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Lemon obliges.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Lemon working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Lemon with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Gibbs tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lemon smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mister Gibbs. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gibbs throws a series of punches but Lemon moves out of range.
Lemon throws a counter combo.
Gibbs takes a body punch but keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Lemon showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Lemon with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Lemon throws a nice outside leg kick.
A combination from Lemon does no damage.
Gibbs throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Lemon on the side of the head.
Lemon throws a body punch but Gibbs moves out of range.
Gibbs clobbers Lemon with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Lemon connects with the punch.
Lemon fails in his attempt to clinch.

Lemon drives through and clinches with Gibbs against the cage.
Lemon lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Lemon stalling against the cage.
Gibbs swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Lemon landing knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lemon lands with a left to the head.
John Lemon seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gibbs misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gibbs is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Lemon is keeping busy.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Gibbs tries to pull guard but Lemon forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Lemon has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gibbs tries to break free but Lemon pushes him back against the cage.
Gibbs is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Gibbs takes a knee right on the jaw!
Gibbs fails to pull guard.
Gibbs tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mister Gibbs. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Lemon.
Gibbs wants to stall.
Gibbs looking to slow down the pace here.
Lemon unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gibbs tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lemon just stands there and leans against the cage.
Gibbs misses with a body punch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gibbs is trying to stall.
Lemon unloads a knee to the mid-section. Gibbs lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Lemon stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Knees to the body from Lemon.
Lemon working Gibbs over with knees to the body.
Lemon scores a nice knee to the body.
Lemon lands a nice uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lemon putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Gibbs in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Lemon gets through Gibbs's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Lemon on the inside.
Lemon landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Lemon using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Lemon lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Lemon scores with a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Lemon.
Gibbs takes a shot to the head.
Lemon working Gibbs over with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lemon is stalling here.
Lemon has Gibbs pressed against the cage.
Lemon lands a hook that snaps the head of Gibbs backwards.
Lemon holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Lemon putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Gibbs in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Lemon just misses with a elbow thrown towards Gibbs's brow.
Lemon lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Lemon lands a nice uppercut.
Lemon lands a good knee to the midsection. Gibbs won't want to take too many of those.
Gibbs trying to stall but Lemon improves his position.
Lemon working Gibbs over with knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Lemon obliges.
Lemon lands a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Lemon.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lemon stalling the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lemon lands a body shot in the clinch.
Come on Lemon - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Lemon is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Lemon lands a knee to the head.
John Lemon is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Knees to the body from Lemon.
Gibbs tries to throw a body punch but Lemon avoids it by throwing Gibbs back against the cage.
Lemon landing knees to the head.
Lemon lands a good knee to the midsection. Gibbs won't want to take too many of those.
Lemon content to slow the pace in the clinch.
A short right from Lemon on the inside.
A short left from Lemon.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gibbs tries to work over Lemon's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Lemon scores with a knee to the head.

Gibbs is rocked!
Lemon stalls.
Mister Gibbs has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lemon stalling in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Lemon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lemon winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 26:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 26:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Lemon! John Lemon retains his middleweight title!
After winning the bout, John Lemon thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.