PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Grover Haley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jorge Linares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jorge Linares has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Grover Haley's chin.

Haley
vs
Linares

213 cm
23
140 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

172 cm
25
140 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Hates pizza

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Grover Haley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jorge Linares!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Haley fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Haley fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Linares shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Haley manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haley has control of Linares's left arm, preventing Linares from doing any damage.

Haley working for a triangle but Linares defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haley is pulling down on Linares's head to control his posture.
Haley is trying to keep Linares in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Linares landing with the ground and pound.
Haley is trying to control the position but Linares postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Linares darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Linares tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Linares perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Linares is thwarting Haley's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Linares trying to mount his opponent but Haley defends it.
Haley is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Haley looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Haley gets back to full guard.
Linares tries to free his leg and advance position but Haley is retaining full guard.

Linares got a little sloppy there for a moment and Haley has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Linares has managed to get both his arms back between Haley's legs - danger averted.

That's four 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.
Haley pulls Linares in close to prevent any damage.
Linares postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Haley changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Linares tries to avoid it but Haley manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Linares to the ground. Linares escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Grover Haley. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Linares has taken the fight to the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Linares lands a right hand.
Linares throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jorge Linares dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Linares throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Linares gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Haley tries to score a body lock takedown but Linares shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Haley throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Linares keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Haley's efforts to push away.
Linares can't find room to land a body shot as Haley controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haley blocks an uppercut.
Haley is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Linares gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Haley tries to circle away but Linares has him pinned against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haley is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Linares gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Grover Haley. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Linares lands with a left to the head.
Haley tries to pull guard but Linares won't allow it.

Haley manages to break the clinch.
Haley really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Haley throws a sloppy head kick and Linares moves out of range easily.
Linares has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Linares closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Haley quickly recovers to half guard.
Linares is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Linares tries to pass to full mount but Haley defends it.
Haley wants to control but Linares is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haley is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Haley wants to control but Linares passes into side.

Linares decides to stand up, so the ref orders Haley to his feet.

Linares shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Linares was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haley is trying to control Linares's posture but Linares avoids it.
Haley is not content to let Linares control the position.
Haley tries to bench press Linares off him but Linares keeps the position.
Haley is not content to let Linares control the position.
Linares working the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
You can see the frustration on Haley's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Linares wants to stand but Haley has his arm trapped.
Haley is trying to control Linares's posture but Linares avoids it.
Haley is looking to reverse the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Linares stands up.
Jorge Linares seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Linares looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jorge Linares showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Linares forces Haley back against the cage and clinches.
Haley tries to pull guard but Linares forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Haley drops down looking for an ankle pick but Linares pulls his leg out and moves away.

Haley tries to sprawl but Linares drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haley has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Linares is working away from the top position though.
Haley is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Linares's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Linares's back!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Haley looking to break Linares's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Linares remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Haley will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Haley looking for the RNC.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Linares is in bad spot here.

Haley has both hooks in and is working for a choke. Linares is in real trouble here. Haley gets an arm under the chin and tightens the submission attempt... is this the end? Yes, Linares is tapping out! Haley wins by rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:45 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Grover Haley!