PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Glen Lerner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Layne Staley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lerner kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Call Me The Breeze. Staley has chosen The Rooster as his entrance music. Layne Staley acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Lerner
vs
Staley

167 cm
16
142 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

188 cm
25
150 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Glen Lerner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Layne Staley!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Chris Saunders and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Staley is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Staley tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lerner swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lerner tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Staley defends well and Lerner ends up having to push Staley into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Staley pulls guard effortlessly.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Staley is trying to control the position but Lerner postures up.
Staley is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Staley is adopting a defensive guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Staley is trying to keep Lerner in close.

Staley looking for a guillotine here but Lerner defends easily.
Lerner trying to move into half guard but instead Staley has managed to sweep!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Staley passes Lerner's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Staley controlling the action here.
Lerner keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Well, if Staley is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Staley trying to pass the guard but Lerner defending well.
Lerner on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Lerner tries to get out of the position.
Staley thows a huge punch but Lerner dodges it nicely.
Staley wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lerner keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Layne Staley wasn't active enough on the ground.
Lerner swats away the attempt to clinch by Staley.

Staley shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Lerner napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Staley staying calm.
Lerner managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Staley.
Staley trying to control the action but Lerner is working from the bottom.

Staley decides to stand up, so the ref orders Lerner to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Staley is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Staley fails with a takedown attempt.
Staley changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Layne Staley dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Staley stalks Lerner and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Lerner's face. Lerner staggers backwards, shaken.
Staley keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Staley tries to clinch

and Lerner counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Staley!
Staley regains half guard, as Lerner was trying to land strikes.
Lerner stalling.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lerner is trying to control the action in half guard but Staley is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Lerner is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Staley still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Staley has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lerner is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Staley postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Staley controls the position.
Staley is looking to take a break and control but Lerner is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Layne Staley has got the better of the ground game so far.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lerner defending against the ground and pound.
Staley is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Let's hope that Staley has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Lerner is not content to let Staley control the position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
You can see the frustration on Lerner's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Staley wants to control but Lerner is keeping him busy.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Layne Staley wasn't active enough on the ground.
Staley moves in looking to clinch but Lerner pushes him off.
Lerner throws a sloppy head kick
and Staley counters with a good, hard body kick but Lerner shrugs it off.
Staley shoots in for a takedown but Lerner shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Staley closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Staley is trying to control. Lerner wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Staley sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Lerner wants to get back to full guard.
Staley wants to pass to mount but Lerner is defending the position.
Staley lands with a punch from half guard.
Lerner looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Staley stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Layne Staley 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! This is the final round!

Nice cross by Staley.
Staley goes for a double leg but Lerner avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Lerner continues to drive forward.
Staley is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Lerner wants to break the clinch but can't.
We've been informed that Staley has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Staley breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lerner tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Staley. No joy for Lerner on that attempt.
Staley wants to clinch.

Staley darts in and clinches Lerner up against the cage.

Staley pulls guard effortlessly.
Staley tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Staley is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Lerner wants to get up but he can't break Staley's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Staley has his hands on Lerner's head, controlling the position.

Layne Staley has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Staley connects with a right hand. Lerner shakes it off.

Lerner is rocked!
Staley tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lerner paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Oh Lerner is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Staley closes the distance looking for a takedown. Lerner stuffs it but Staley still has hold of him. Staley picks Lerner up in a fireman's lift! The crowd roars in approval. Staley slams Lerner to the floor and that's really hurt Lerner - he doesn't know where he is! Staley throws a couple of strikes and the referee steps in to save him! This one is in the books!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:46 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Layne Staley!
Post fight, Layne Staley stared into the camera and said 'I'm the Rooster, baby! Alice in Chains rocks! '.
Glen Lerner was interviewed post fight and said 'Well now who the hell saw that coming? Honestly..'.