PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Bostaph (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Lasher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Bostaph
vs
Lasher

187 cm
27
205 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

193 cm
24
210 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent elbows
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

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 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Paul Bostaph!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Chris Lasher!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Albert Achterberg and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bostaph throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Lasher fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bostaph, pushing him back against the cage.

Bostaph breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Bostaph throws a sloppy head kick and Lasher moves out of range easily.

Bostaph gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bostaph pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Bostaph is looking for a takedown.

Lasher has clasped his hands together around Bostaph's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Lasher stands up.
Bostaph misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bostaph scores with a kick to the midsection.
Nice body kick there by Bostaph.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bostaph throws a head kick that misses.
Bostaph fails with the takedown.
Bostaph throws a sloppy head kick and Lasher moves out of range easily.
Bostaph connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Bostaph circles away from the clinch attempt.

Bostaph darts in and clinches Lasher up against the cage.
Lasher looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Bostaph fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paul Bostaph. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lasher using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bostaph has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lasher trying to land knees to the body.
Bostaph looking to slow down the pace here.
Bostaph jumps guard but Lasher turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Lasher throws a knee to the head but misses.
Lasher lands an elbow inside.

Bostaph is fighting off a takedown attempt but Lasher is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Bostaph to the mat. Bostaph regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Bostaph kicks Lasher off and gets to his feet.

Lasher gets a clinch.
Lasher managing to block the knees to the body from Bostaph.
Bostaph tries a knee to the head but Lasher blocks it.
Bostaph is breathing heavily.
Lasher pushes off an throws an elbow but Bostaph leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Lasher pulls guard.
Bostaph wants to pass the guard but Lasher is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lasher wants to stand and escape but Bostaph is having none of it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

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

Lasher avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Lasher must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lasher with a nice head shot there.

Bostaph looking for a guillotine here but Lasher defends easily.

Bostaph working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lasher doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lasher manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Bostaph is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Lasher stands up and waves to Bostaph to follow him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bostaph shoots in looking for a takedown but Lasher manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Bostaph's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Bostaph throws a head kick that misses.
Bostaph throws a head kick but Lasher moves out of range.
Bostaph tries a head kick but it misses.
Bostaph swats away the attempt to clinch by Lasher.
Lasher tries to clinch but Bostaph is having none of it.
Lasher tries to clinch up.
Lasher pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Lasher throws a big overhand right that connects, sending Bostaph tumbling to the canvas!

It looks like Paul Bostaph has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bostaph being controlled here, momentarily.
Bostaph has a closed guard, preventing Lasher from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Chris Lasher wasn't active enough on the ground.
Lasher doesn't manage to clinch there - Bostaph circles away.

Lasher gets a double leg takedown into Bostaph's guard.
Lasher is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lasher wants to control from the top but Bostaph keeps moving.

Bostaph is working an open guard so Lasher takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Lasher moves in looking to clinch but Bostaph pushes him off.

Lasher darts in and clinches Bostaph up against the cage.
Bostaph looking to stall.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lasher misses with an elbow strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Lasher throws an elbow but misses.
Lasher on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lasher tries to land a knee to the head but Bostaph blocks with his arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Lasher dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Paul Bostaph's cut.
That's time! Bostaph's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bostaph throws a series of punches but Lasher avoids them all with ease.
Bostaph lands a nice leg kick that just misses Lasher's sensitive parts.
Bostaph misses with a head kick.
Chris Lasher seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bostaph lands with a slapping head kick.
Bostaph throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Lasher clinches up against the cage.
Bostaph pushes off an throws an elbow but Lasher leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Lasher is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Bostaph can't fight it off and eventually Lasher manages to take the fight to the floor. Bostaph looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Bostaph looking for a guillotine here but Lasher defends easily.
Bostaph is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Lasher is controlling him.
Lasher lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Lasher gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
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 is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bostaph throws a head kick that misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lasher looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lasher tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Bostaph manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lasher fails with an attempt to clinch.

Lasher shoots in and bounces Bostaph off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Bostaph is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Lasher sitting in guard here, content to control.

Lasher gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lasher looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lasher wants to clinch.

Bostaph tries to keep at a distance but Lasher has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lasher has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Bostaph clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Lasher really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bostaph. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
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!
Bostaph controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Lasher trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Bostaph doesn't escape.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Chris Lasher.
Lasher tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lasher shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Bostaph actively working from the bottom here.

Lasher stands up and beckons Bostaph to join him on the feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lasher looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Bostaph moves into range and clinches up with Lasher.
Bostaph fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Lasher tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bostaph blocks an elbow strike from Lasher.
Lasher avoids the elbow strike from Bostaph, against the cage.
Bostaph wants a takedown.
Bostaph takes an elbow to the temple.
Lasher creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Bostaph's defenses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lasher has Bostaph pressed against the cage, preventing Bostaph from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lasher lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Bostaph takes an elbow to the temple.

Paul Bostaph's cut is getting worse.
Lasher trying to land knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Lasher.

Lasher lands a takedown into guard.
Lasher is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Lasher stands up and waves to Bostaph to follow him.
Lasher tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bostaph paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Lasher gets a clinch.
Lasher throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Lasher misses with a knee strike.
Lasher has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lasher trying to land knees to the body.
Chris Lasher seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Lasher lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Lasher has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Bostaph is trying to keep an underhook but Lasher manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Bostaph actively working from the bottom here.
Lasher is controlling the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Lasher showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Paul Bostaph's cut.
That's time! Bostaph's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Bostaph swats away the attempt to clinch by Lasher.

Lasher darts in and clinches Bostaph up against the cage.
Lasher tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bostaph blocks an elbow strike from Lasher.
A knee to the head by Lasher.
Lasher misses with a knee to the head.
Lasher throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bostaph blocks it with crossed arms.
Bostaph tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lasher smiles and moves away.
Bostaph tries for a takedown but Lasher sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bostaph throws a sloppy head kick and Lasher moves out of range easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bostaph throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bostaph tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Lasher closes the distance and clinches.
Lasher with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lasher with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lasher creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Lasher jumps guard and drags Bostaph to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Bostaph stands and steps away. Lasher gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Lasher is looking to clinch but Bostaph is avoiding it.
Lasher avoids a punch combination nicely.
Lasher keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paul Bostaph. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lasher tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Lasher clinches up against the cage.
Nice elbow from Bostaph.
Bostaph looking to stall.

Lasher lands a takedown into guard.
Lasher working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bostaph's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Lasher gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Lasher instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lasher misses with a knee strike.
Bostaph avoiding damage as Lasher throws knees to the body.

Bostaph breaks from the clinch.

Lasher gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bostaph takes an elbow to the forehead.
Lasher tries a knee to the head but Bostaph blocks it.
Bostaph blocks the elbow strike.

Lasher has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Bostaph regains guard immediately.

Bostaph is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lasher defends well.

Bostaph looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Bostaph is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Bostaph looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Lasher has picked Bostaph up and slammed him! Bostaph can't keep hold of the triangle and Lasher manages to pass to side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lasher scoring with punches and elbows.
Lasher working the ground and pound.
Bostaph taking a bit of punishment here - Lasher scoring with strikes.
Lasher takes a little break here. Bostaph wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

Lasher decides to stand up, so the ref orders Bostaph to his feet.
Paul Bostaph seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Lasher gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Chris Lasher is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bostaph misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lasher.
Paul Bostaph has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Lasher lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Lasher stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Lasher closes the distance and clinches.
Lasher comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Paul Bostaph's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bostaph is trying to pull guard but Lasher turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Bostaph takes an elbow to the temple.
Bostaph working Lasher over with knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Lasher.
Lasher connects with a knee to the head.
Lasher lands a knee to the head.

Bostaph is rocked!

Jeez, Paul Bostaph's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.

Lasher jumps guard and drags Bostaph to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Bostaph looking to pass the guard.
Lasher trying to control the position here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Lasher is working an open guard so Bostaph takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris Lasher comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Lasher has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Lasher!
An out of breath and clearly excited Chris Lasher thanked [GTI] Divine Clothing for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).