PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Roman Reigns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jay Flaherty (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Reigns
vs
Flaherty

200 cm
26
185 lbs
1 - 3 - 1

184 cm
18
184 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 1, fighting out of London, Roman Reigns!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Jay Flaherty!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Steven Brown and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reigns shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Flaherty sprawls well. Flaherty wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Reigns gets slowly back to his feet.
Flaherty fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Reigns closes the distance looking to clinch

and Flaherty counters with a nice double leg into side control. Reigns won't be happy with that.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Reigns gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Flaherty with good strikes from the mount here!
Flaherty trying to control but Reigns is having none of it.

Flaherty is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Reigns to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Reigns shrugs it off.
Reigns really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reigns is wriggling around trying to escape.
Flaherty throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Flaherty thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

Flaherty stands up from mount. Strange move.
Flaherty misses with a takedown
and Reigns counters with a one-two to the body.
Reigns tries for a takedown but Flaherty sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Flaherty dives in and grabs Reigns's left leg, looking for a takedown. Reigns pushes down on Flaherty's head and hops out.
Roman Reigns has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jay Flaherty.

Reigns looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Flaherty!
Flaherty is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
You can see the frustration on Flaherty's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Reigns working the strikes but Flaherty uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Flaherty wants to get back to full guard.
Flaherty trying to hold on to Reigns's head to control him but Reigns postures up.
Flaherty looks winded!
Flaherty punching from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Flaherty looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Reigns wants to lay and pray for a moment but Flaherty keeps working.
Reigns is taking a breather. Flaherty says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Flaherty is trying to maintain the position but Reigns is very close to passing his half guard.
Flaherty is trying to stand.
Reigns lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flaherty gets full guard.

Flaherty working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Reigns doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Flaherty is tightening it up a little... Reigns has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Reigns reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Reigns taps out! Nice BJJ there by Flaherty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:24 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Jay Flaherty!