PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Liam Lasher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andre Neves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Lasher
vs
Neves

178 cm
21
212 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

186 cm
25
217 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Liam Lasher!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Andre Neves!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Edson Gomes and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lasher has his takedown stuffed
and Neves counters with a nice kick to the body.
Lasher tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lasher is defended easily by Neves.

Neves gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Lasher keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Neves's efforts to push away.
Lasher tries to pull guard but Neves won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Liam Lasher. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Neves is working Lasher over against the cage.
Lasher jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Neves walks away with a smile on his face. Lasher gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Lasher is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Neves throws a body punch but Lasher moves out of range.
Lasher closes this distance looking for a takedown but Neves circles away.
Lasher tries to clinch but Neves is having none of it.
Neves lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lasher circles away quickly and effectively.
Neves tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lasher shoots in and drives through. Neves sprawls well.
Neves throws a series of punches but Lasher avoids them all with ease.
Lasher fails with the takedown

and Neves moves into the clinch.
Neves tries to break the clinch but Lasher is controlling the position.
Neves is trying to break the clinch but Lasher is controlling him.
Neves prevents a takedown attempt there.
Neves stops a takedown attempt from Lasher.
Lasher has Neves pressed against the cage, preventing Neves from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lasher has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Neves is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Neves wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Still in the clinch, Neves scores with a nice short uppercut.
Lasher trying to control the position but instead, Neves has worked for underhooks and has pushed Lasher into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lasher can't get the takedown.
Neves misses with a punch to the body.
Neves wants to break the clinch but can't.
Neves wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lasher has him pressed against the cage.
Neves lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Lasher jumps guard but Neves stands there with Lasher around his waist. Lasher gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Neves looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Lasher has Neves pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Neves manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Lasher jumps guard but Neves stands there with Lasher around his waist. Lasher gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lasher tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Neves smiles and moves away.
Lasher tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Neves swats away the attempt to clinch by Lasher.
Lasher tries to close the distance and clinch up but Neves swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Neves moves into the clinch successfully.
Neves is looking to break free of the clinch but Lasher has double underhooks.
Lasher is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Neves pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Neves is looking to break free of the clinch but Lasher has double underhooks.
Lasher misses with a knee strike.
Lasher changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Neves fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Neves looks for the body kick but Lasher saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lasher shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lasher slips a jab and a cross from Neves.
Neves throws a nice looking combination but Lasher bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Neves closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Lasher did well to prevent Neves getting side control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Lasher punching from the bottom.
Neves prevents Lasher from improving his position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lasher is working hard here to advance position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lasher has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Neves is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lasher tries to close the distance and clinch up but Neves swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Neves misses with a leg kick.
Neves scores with a three punch combo!
Neves shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Neves throws a nice looking combination but Lasher bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Neves tries to close the distance and clinch but Lasher swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lasher looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Neves is fending him off so far but Lasher persists. Nope, Neves circles away and we're back to standing.
Lasher shoots in for a takedown but Neves shows good takedown defense.
Neves misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lasher changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Neves tries to avoid it but Lasher manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Neves to the ground. Neves escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Liam Lasher. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Neves looks to land a body kick but Lasher moved away.
Lasher fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Neves tries to clinch up but Lasher circles away and keeps his distance.
Lasher has his takedown stuffed
enabling Neves to counter with a crisp jab.
Neves throws a low kick, looking for Lasher's leg but Lasher calmly moves out of range.
A punch combination from Neves misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lasher wants to clinch but Neves slips to the side
and Neves counters with a one-two to the body.
A left and a right from Neves both land. Nice combination.
Neves keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Neves is looking to score with low kicks.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Neves.

Lasher moves into the clinch.
Lasher tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Neves works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Neves breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lasher misses with a takedown attempt

and Neves moves into the clinch.
Neves misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Neves goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lasher drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lasher prevents Neves from breaking the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neves cracks Lasher with a nice body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A frustrated look appears on Neves's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Lasher is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Andre Neves seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Neves breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lasher shoots in for a takedown but Neves shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Neves misses with a few strikes there.
Neves swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Neves throws a low kick, looking for Lasher's leg but Lasher calmly moves out of range.
Lasher shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Neves as he jumps to the side.
Neves buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neves leaves Lasher with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Liam Lasher is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A combination from Neves does no damage.
Neves tries a head kick but it misses.
Neves misses with a double jab.
Neves is breathing heavily.
Neves tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lasher shoots for a double leg takedown but Neves sprawls well. He's pushed Lasher's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Andre Neves seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Neves wants to slow Lasher down by chopping away at his legs.
Neves lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lasher circles away quickly and effectively.
Neves throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lasher.
Lasher has a takedown stuffed.
Lasher fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Neves avoids it really well and circles away.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Lasher. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Lasher is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lasher shoots in for a takedown but Neves shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Neves swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Neves swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lasher shoots in but no luck this time.

Neves instigates a clinch.
Lasher tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Lasher tries to pull guard but Neves won't allow it.
Lasher has Neves pressed against the cage, preventing Neves from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Neves escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lasher dives in and grabs Neves's left leg, looking for a takedown. Neves pushes down on Lasher's head and hops out.
Lasher is trying hard to land a takedown here. Neves sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Lasher darts in trying to clinch
and Neves makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Lasher really felt that one!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andre Neves showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Neves tries a head kick but it misses.
Lasher fails with the takedown.
Lasher shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Neves sprawls well. Neves wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lasher gets slowly back to his feet.
Neves throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Lasher showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Neves.
Lasher changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Neves tries to avoid it but Lasher manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Neves to the ground. Neves escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Liam Lasher. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Neves swinging wildly here.
Lasher showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Neves.
Lasher tries to close the distance and clinch up but Neves swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Neves bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Neves pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Lasher back to the cage. Neves follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
An inside leg kick from Neves misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Neves as Lasher shoots in.
Neves throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lasher.
Neves takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lasher tries to clinch up.
Neves lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lasher circles away quickly and effectively.
Lasher has a takedown stuffed.
Lasher fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Neves misses with a jab, cross combination.
Neves rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lasher moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lasher shoots in and drives through. Neves sprawls well.
Neves fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lasher shoots for a takedown but Neves saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Neves clinches up against the cage.
Lasher tries for a takedown. No joy.

Neves's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lasher showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Neves.
Lasher shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Neves as he jumps to the side.
Lasher misses with a takedown attempt - Neves sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Neves closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Neves tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lasher's elbow.
Neves tries to work over Lasher's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lasher tries to pull guard but Neves won't allow it.
Lasher tries to score a body lock takedown but Neves shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Lasher tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Neves smiles and moves away.
Neves misses with the combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lasher has his takedown stuffed
and Neves counters with a one-two to the body.
Neves misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Neves misses with a jab, cross combination.
Neves throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Lasher tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Neves manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Neves closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Neves lands in his opponent's guard.
Neves must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Lasher looking for a guillotine here but Neves defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lasher is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
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!
Lasher trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Liam Lasher has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Andre Neves is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Lasher looking for a guillotine here but Neves defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Andre Neves.
I've got Neves 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andre Neves!