PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Steve Barover (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eddie Lainey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Eddie Lainey struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 156.4lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Eddie Lainey will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Barover
vs
Lainey

177 cm
23
155 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

200 cm
23
172 lbs
2 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Steve Barover!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Eddie Lainey!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Richard Clark and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barover shoots in for a takedown but Lainey shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lainey tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Barover manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Barover ducks under a wild hook from Lainey.
Barover tries to counter with a takedown but Lainey is quick to defend against it.
Barover keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lainey.
Barover feinted with a counter takedown.
Lainey uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Barover.
Barover moves out of range as Lainey strikes.
Lainey throws a jab but it's blocked by Barover.
Lainey takes a swing at Barover's ribcage but misses.

Barover dives in and scores a takedown into Lainey's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Barover decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lainey throws a looping overhand right but Barover ducks down to avoid it.
Barover moves away from the strike by Lainey.
Barover appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Eddie Lainey seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barover tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Lainey defends well and Barover ends up having to push Lainey into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Lainey swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Barover half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Barover shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Barover definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barover won't allow Lainey to get back to his feet.

Lainey uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Lainey is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Lainey throws an overhand right that lands on Barover's shoulder, as Barover tries to avoid the shot.
Barover half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Lainey misses with a combination

and Barover counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Lainey wants to stand and escape but Barover is having none of it.
Barover is working Lainey over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Lainey is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Barover stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lainey swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Lainey wriggles free and stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Barover.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Barover. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lainey moves to clinch but Barover breaks away

and Barover counters with a single leg into guard. Lainey didn't expect that.

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

Barover is looking for a sweep.
Lainey wants to stand but Barover has his arm trapped.
Barover sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Lainey really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Barover. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Barover controlling the position well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barover tries to roll over but Lainey keeps him under control.
Lainey is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Barover gets full guard.
Barover looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lainey is one step ahead there.

Lainey wants to stand up, so he's looking to wriggle free of Barover's closed guard. He's half up but Barover has locked on to an arm! Uh oh! Barover pivots and extends the arm, Lainey falls face first to the mat and taps??... does he?? YES! He's tapping! Excellent counter grappling there by Barover! Well done that man!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Steve Barover!