PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gorram Reavers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fox Lao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lao comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Terminator T-800 Song kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Reavers
vs
Lao

190 cm
20
282 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

198 cm
25
262 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gorram Reavers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Fox Lao!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Wesley Smith and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lao keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Reavers is defended easily by Lao.

Reavers shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Lao napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Reavers tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Reavers has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Lao wants to control but Reavers postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lao tries to improve position but can't.

Reavers is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Lao is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Reavers thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Reavers tries for a kimura but Lao is defending well.
An elbow from Reavers crashes against the mat.
Sloppy strikes there by Reavers.
Lao is looking for a sweep.
Lao managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Reavers.

Reavers is trying to get an arm triangle but Lao is defending well.

Reavers looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

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.

Reavers tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Reavers is breathing heavily.

Reavers tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Lao tries to bench press Reavers off him but Reavers keeps the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Reavers tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Reavers goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Lao has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Reavers but great work by Lao.
Reavers is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Lao's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Reavers is pressing down on Lao's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Reavers working for a triangle but Lao defends it easily.

Lao decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Reavers.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gorram Reavers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lao stuffs the takedown.
Lao fails to land the takedown.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lao stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lao wants it to stay on the feet.
Gorram Reavers seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Reavers misses with a straight left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gorram Reavers dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Reavers changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Lao looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Reavers working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Reavers working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Reavers postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Reavers goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Lao has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Reavers but great work by Lao.
Lao moves into full mount!
Lao really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Reavers. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Reavers is desperately trying to improve his position but Lao has a good base and remains in mount.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Lao has control of Reavers's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Reavers regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Reavers working to try and regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lao is looking to stand but Lao has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Reavers manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Reavers works his way to full guard. Good work.
Lao preventing the sweep.
Lao trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Reavers looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Lao puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Reavers is pressing down on Lao's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Reavers is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lao is aware though and is defending well.

Reavers is looking for a triangle but Lao pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lao stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Reavers swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Reavers looking for a sweep. Not yet Reavers, not yet.
Lao stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Reavers swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lao advances position into side control!
Reavers regains half guard.
Reavers gets back to full guard.
Reavers manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lao manages to get himself to full guard.

Reavers is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Reavers drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Lao manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Reavers has Lao in his guard.
Lao forces his way into half guard.

Reavers looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Lao trying to pass the guard but Reavers defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Lao is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Reavers is pressing down on Lao's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Reavers lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Lao!
Reavers misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

Reavers throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Lao has his hands clasped together but Reavers breaks the hold and Lao is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Reavers!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Gorram Reavers!