PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ephraim Baraka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrey Lapis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Baraka comes to the cage accompanied by Loyal - Chris Brown Ft Lil Wayne & Tyga. Lapis has chosen Once Solemn as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. This should be fireworks!

Baraka
vs
Lapis

183 cm
31
176 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

178 cm
31
185 lbs
23 - 19 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Fast

King of Fists

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ephraim Baraka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 19 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrey Lapis!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Alan Glass and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lapis throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lapis looks to land a combination but Baraka avoids it well.
It looked like Baraka was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Baraka gets a takedown into half guard.
Lapis trying to control from the bottom.
Baraka is keen to just control but Lapis is a slippery customer.
Lapis is trying to maintain the position but Baraka is very close to passing his half guard.

Baraka seems to be looking for submissions.
Baraka is pressing down on Lapis's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lapis is holding on for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lapis blocking the ground and pound attempt from Baraka.

Baraka seems to be looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lapis is staying active underneath Baraka, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Lapis is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Baraka passes the guard and advances to mount!

Baraka is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Lapis has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Lapis!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Baraka keeping moving, preventing Lapis from controlling successfully.
Lapis is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lapis drops back, looking for a kneebar! Baraka looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Baraka looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Baraka!

Baraka trying to control the action but Lapis is working from the bottom.

Baraka working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Baraka thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Lapis is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baraka tries to advance to mount but can't.

Baraka swings around for an armbar but Lapis sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Baraka's guard.
Lapis trying to control but Baraka is working from the bottom.
My spies in Mist Of Pandaria inform me that Lapis has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lapis postures up.
Lapis wants to control from the top but Baraka keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lapis won't allow Baraka to sweep him here.
Lapis advances position into side control!
Baraka is looking for a sweep.

Lapis is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Baraka has escaped the position, nice work there.
Baraka wants to control but Lapis postures up.
Baraka tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Lapis wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Lapis tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Lapis has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Lapis wants to control but Baraka is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Andrey Lapis will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Lapis stuffs the takedown.
Lapis uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Lapis changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Baraka looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Lapis working away.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Lapis wants to stand but Baraka has him controlled and pulls him back into his guard.

Lapis has gone for a leg lock! Baraka slips out almost immediately though and dives into Lapis's guard.

Baraka throws a big elbow that misses.
Baraka is looking to advance position but Lapis has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

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!
Baraka sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baraka trying to hold on to Lapis's head to control him but Lapis postures up.
Baraka has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Lapis wants to pass the guard but Baraka is defending well.
Baraka is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Baraka trying to hold on to Lapis's head to control him but Lapis postures up.
Baraka is looking for a sweep. Lapis is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Baraka is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Lapis content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Lapis wants to stand but Baraka has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Lapis is keen to just control but Baraka is a slippery customer.
Lapis throwing shots but Baraka is blocking nicely.
Lapis controlling the action here.

Baraka actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lapis is thwarting Baraka's attempts to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Baraka wants to clinch up but Lapis keeps it at a distance.
Lapis misses with a wild combination.
Lapis throws a body punch but Baraka moves out of range.
Lapis jabs at Baraka's body.
Baraka throws the left hand but Lapis avoids the punch easily.
Baraka throws the left hand but Lapis avoids the punch easily.

Baraka shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Lapis is trying to defend but Baraka finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Baraka is trying to control the action in half guard but Lapis is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lapis trying to control from the bottom.

Baraka is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Lapis has managed to free his arm - good work.

Baraka seems to be looking for submissions.
Ephraim Baraka overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lapis trying to control here.
Baraka passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Lapis!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lapis can't escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Andrey Lapis will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Baraka fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Lapis successfully pulls guard.
Baraka postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lapis not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Baraka in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Lapis had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Baraka defends it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Baraka drops back looking for a leg! Lapis is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Lapis manages to kick Baraka off! Baraka jumps back into Lapis's guard.
Baraka trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baraka wants to pass the guard but Lapis is keeping the position.
Baraka wants to control from the top but Lapis keeps moving.
Lapis is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Baraka stopping the sweep attempt from Lapis.
Baraka pushes down on Lapis's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Baraka thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lapis's head.
Andrey Lapis is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Baraka missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Baraka is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Lapis moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Baraka tries to free his leg and advance position but Lapis is retaining full guard.
Baraka trying to control but Lapis is working from the bottom.
Lapis looking for a sweep. Not yet Lapis, not yet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Lapis shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Baraka pinned against the cage. Baraka gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
An attempted straight right counter from Baraka misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baraka does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lapis! But no joy.
Lapis tries to close the distance and clinch but Baraka swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Baraka tries to close the distance and clinch but Lapis swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lapis misses with a takedown
enabling Baraka to counter with a crisp jab.
Lapis misses with a two punch combination.
Ephraim Baraka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Baraka misses with a takedown attempt - Lapis sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lapis looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Lapis defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Baraka.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ephraim Baraka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lapis lands a lovely overhand right.
Ephraim Baraka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Lapis closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Baraka's guard.

Baraka has his foot on Lapis's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lapis works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Baraka is looking for a triangle but Lapis pushes his legs off easily.
Baraka is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lapis trying to control the position from guard on top but Baraka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lapis won't allow Baraka to sweep him here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Baraka escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lapis gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Baraka trying to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Andrey Lapis.
I've got Lapis 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrey Lapis!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Andrey Lapis made sure he mentioned King of Fists, along with how happy he was to win his fight.