PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between James LaBrie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jamie Varner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Jamie Varner enters the cage!

LaBrie
vs
Varner

178 cm
29
178 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

173 cm
23
175 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, James LaBrie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jamie Varner!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Seu Braga and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
LaBrie missing with a left hand there. Varner was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
LaBrie throws a shot to the body.
LaBrie scores with a body shot.
Nice defenses there by Varner.
LaBrie digs a good hook to Varner's body.
Varner tries for a takedown but LaBrie sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
LaBrie with a hook.
LaBrie jabs Varner to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Varner takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
LaBrie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Varner.
Varner walks into a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
LaBrie throws a looping overhand right but Varner ducks down to avoid it.
James LaBrie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Varner.
LaBrie tries to bench press Varner off him but Varner keeps the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varner slows the pace down.
Varner throws a strike aimed at the side of LaBrie's head but LaBrie avoids it well.
LaBrie is looking to reverse the position.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Varner tries to move into full mount but can't pass LaBrie's legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
LaBrie struggling a bit here.
LaBrie tries to buck Varner off but Varner is having none of it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Varner with a poor takedown
enabling LaBrie to counter with a crisp jab.
Varner walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A punch lands to the side of Varner 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Varner avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Varner feints the counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varner keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Varner drops down looking to force a counter takedown but LaBrie defends it well.
Varner drops his hands momentarily and LaBrie takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Varner shoots in for a double leg but LaBrie sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
LaBrie appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
James LaBrie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jamie Varner.
Varner defending well as LaBrie loads up on a big left hand.
Varner uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from LaBrie.
LaBrie digs a good hook to Varner's body.
LaBrie throws a body shot but no joy.
Varner drops down looking to force a counter takedown but LaBrie defends it well.
Varner misses with a takedown attempt
and LaBrie connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Varner is rocked!
Varner is holding his hands too far apart here. LaBrie throws a hard, straight punch right down the pipe and BOOM! Varner is out! That punch landed square on the jaw - what a shot!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). James LaBrie!
An out of breath James LaBrie thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.