EFC8: PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between The Eagle (ranked 7161 p4p, 7223 weight class) and Abel Lyager (ranked 273 p4p, 274 weight class). Abel Lyager will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Eagle
vs
Lyager

179 cm
20
144
5 - 4 - 0

225 cm
23
141
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

EFC Threads

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 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, The Eagle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Abel Lyager!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Eagle falls off balance throwing a combination

and Lyager moves into the clinch.
Eagle keeps control of Lyager as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Eagle tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Lyager is looking for a takedown.
Eagle is trying to drag Lyager to the mat but Lyager just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Lyager tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Eagle smiles and moves away.
Lyager closes the distance looking to clinch

so Eagle counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
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.
Lyager working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Eagle.
Lyager controls Eagle momentarily but Eagle frees himself.
Eagle loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eagle is working Lyager over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Eagle loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Eagle preventing the sweep.
Eagle cracks Lyager with a solid left hand.
Eagle is pushing down on Lyager's leg trying to pass to half guard. Lyager is fighting to maintain full guard but Eagle has managed to sneak the leg through.
Lyager keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Eagle missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Eagle winds up and cracks Lyager with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Eagle connects with a nice short shot to Lyager's temple.
Eagle is nestled in close to Lyager, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Eagle is trying to work for a kimura but Lyager is defending well.
Lyager avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Eagle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eagle throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Lyager is looking to control Eagle's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lyager avoid being mounted?
Eagle sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lyager defending well though.
Eagle is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Eagle working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Lyager manages to get to full guard.
Eagle lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Eagle trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lyager really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Eagle. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Eagle wants to control from the top but Lyager keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Eagle accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eagle cracks Lyager with a solid left hand.
Eagle scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Eagle wants to control from the top but Lyager keeps moving.
Lyager is trying to control the position but Eagle postures up.
Eagle is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Eagle working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Eagle keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Lyager's head.
Eagle might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Eagle postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Eagle throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lyager works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Eagle looking to pass the guard.
Eagle with a nice head shot there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eagle advances position into side control!
Eagle is working Lyager over with some ground and pound from side control.
Eagle is chipping away with strikes.
Eagle landing strikes.
Eagle cracks Lyager with a big elbow.
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!
Lyager takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

Lyager is rocked!
Eagle working the head with strikes.
Lyager is still in real trouble! Can Eagle finish him?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Eagle cracks Lyager with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Eagle cracks Lyager with a big elbow.
Eagle landing strikes.
Lyager looks winded!
Eagle in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
A big shot lands for Eagle! That's hurt Lyager! Will he recover? Eagle fires away with more strikes and the referee has to step in to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). The Eagle!
A very excited looking The Eagle rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
43%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Willy Kimber (ranked 3199 p4p, 4481 weight class) and Wiz Kraven (ranked 414 p4p, 550 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kimber
vs
Kraven

179 cm
24
159
3 - 2 - 0

185 cm
24
185
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

Good takedowns
Brawler
Knockout power

EFC Threads
MKFC

EFC Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Willy Kimber!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Wiz Kraven!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kimber wants to clinch up but Kraven keeps it at a distance.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kimber or perhaps it was just good defense by Kraven, which made it look bad.
Kimber misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kraven.
Kimber throws a jab but it's blocked by Kraven.

Kraven fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kimber sprawls well initially but Kraven persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kraven is trying to control. Kimber wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Kraven is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kraven missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kimber trying to hold on to Kraven's head to control him but Kraven postures up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kimber manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Kraven looking for a guillotine here but Kimber defends easily.
Kimber content to stall in guard here.

Kraven looking for a guillotine here but Kimber defends easily.
Kimber passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kraven is refusing to be controlled, as Kimber sits in half guard.
Kimber drops an elbow to the side of Kraven's head.
Kraven wants to get back to full guard.
Kimber is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Kraven sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Kimber tries to pass to full mount but Kraven defends it.
Kraven has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at EFC Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Kimber stalling.
Kimber definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Kraven trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kraven has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Kimber. Oh but Kraven has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Kimber goes limp - he's gone! Kraven jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:27 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Wiz Kraven!
Wiz Kraven seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
32%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Simon Slade (ranked 1792 p4p, 3800 weight class) and Bautista Laguna (ranked 59 p4p, 134 weight class). Slade comes into the arena with 2 Legit 2 Quit blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Slade
vs
Laguna

200 cm
21
242
6 - 2 - 0

194 cm
20
220
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Powerful

EFC Threads
Vegan Gains

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Simon Slade!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Bautista Laguna!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Laguna staying out of range there.
A big left from Slade misses.
A shot to the liver by Slade. Beautiful body shot.
Slade fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Laguna clinches.
Laguna blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Slade blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Slade makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Laguna fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Slade.
Slade lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Slade lands a hook that snaps the head of Laguna backwards.
A short right from Slade.
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!
Laguna has a couple of punches blocked by Slade.
Laguna throws a punch but it's blocked by Slade.
Slade presses Laguna against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Laguna looks winded!
Slade scores with a shoulder strike.
Slade tries a body shot but Laguna blocks it.
A shot in the inside from Slade.
Laguna is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Slade to keep the fight standing.
Slade pushes Laguna back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Slade lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good body shot from Slade.
Slade digs a right hand into Laguna's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Laguna's gas tank.
Slade working some nice short punches in the clinch.

It looks like Bautista Laguna has been cut.
Nice body punch from Slade - that landed with a thud.
Slade lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Laguna backwards.
Slade doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Slade lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Slade lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short uppercut from Slade.
Slade lands a hook to the side of the head.
Slade digs a right hand into Laguna's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Laguna's gas tank.
Slade digs a right hand underneath Laguna's ribcage. Laguna let out a lung full of air as it connected.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Slade.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A short uppercut from Slade.
Slade misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Slade lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Laguna backwards.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Slade.
Slade lands a hook to the side of the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Slade creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Laguna is rocked!
Slade misses with a punch on the inside.
Laguna is still on wobbly legs! Can Slade finish him?
Slade swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slade throws a head punch that misses.
Slade misses with a punch on the inside.
A body shot lands from Slade.
Laguna's coach down at EFC Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Laguna's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Slade tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Slade misses with a hook from the clinch.
Slade throws a punch but it's blocked by Laguna.
Laguna blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Laguna seems to have recovered his senses.
Slade misses with the head strike.
Slade has a couple of punches blocked by Laguna.
Slade swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Still in the clinch, Slade scores with a nice short uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Slade.
Slade lands an uppercut in the clinch that drops Laguna to his knees! Slade keeps firing more shots against his stricken opponent and the referee jumps in to save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Simon Slade!
Simon Slade seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
74%

Main event

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rj Bell (ranked 2771 p4p, 1387 weight class) and Horacio Hornblower (ranked 297 p4p, 162 weight class). Rj Bell has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bell
vs
Hornblower

177 cm
25
154
7 - 2 - 0

180 cm
21
155
7 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

EFC Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rj Bell!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Horacio Hornblower !
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Johanna Lukiainen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hornblower keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bell.
Hornblower comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Hornblower closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hornblower doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bell wants to get back to striking at distance but Hornblower won't allow it.
Hornblower pushes Bell back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hornblower lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hornblower slows down the pace here.
Bell tries to circle away but Hornblower has him pinned against the cage.
Hornblower can't find room to land a body shot as Bell controls the action.
Bell drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hornblower pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hornblower 's jab looks to have found its range, popping Bell under the eye.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hornblower bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Hornblower has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Bell moves forwards but Hornblower connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Hornblower avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Hornblower misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bell throws a hook but Hornblower avoids it easily.
Hornblower throws a leg kick but Bell checks it.

Hornblower forces Bell back against the cage and clinches.
Hornblower lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bell backwards.
Bell wants to break free but Hornblower has control.
Hornblower lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Bell fails to pull guard.
Hornblower doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hornblower lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hornblower scores with a shoulder strike.
Hornblower lands with a right to the head.
Hornblower misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hornblower .
Bell is trying to push Hornblower away but Hornblower has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
The referee calls for Hornblower to work.
A nice left hand lands by Hornblower .
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!
Hornblower throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bells head.
Hornblower lands with a short shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bell is trying to pull guard but Hornblower has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rj Bell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bell trying to control the position but instead, Hornblower has worked for underhooks and has pushed Bell into the cage.
Hornblower lands with a short shot to the head.
Hornblower manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A short right from Hornblower .

Hornblower pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hornblower lands a nice hook to Bell's body. Bell takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hornblower thuds a left hand into Bell's body.

Hornblower instigates a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Hornblower .
Hornblower blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bell tries for a takedown. No joy.
A short uppercut from Hornblower .
Hornblower lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Good body shot from Hornblower .
Hornblower lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bell fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short body shot lands from Hornblower as the two fighters clinch.
Hornblower displaying some good clinch control by pressing Bell up against the cage.
Bell has been working on his balance at EFC Gym, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Hornblower .
Hornblower stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Bell is trying to pull guard but Hornblower has him pressed against the cage.
Hornblower throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bells head.
A hook to the body from Hornblower .
Bell throws a punch but it's blocked by Hornblower .
Hornblower lands a nice uppercut.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Hornblower lands a body shot.
Bell is breathing heavily.
Hornblower lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Hornblower breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Hornblower has closed the distance and engaged Bell in a clinch.

Hornblower breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hornblower cracks a nice hook into Bell's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hornblower gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hornblower will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Bell up against the cage.
Hornblower 's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Hornblower lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hornblower lands with a left to the head.
Hornblower lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hornblower gets through Bell's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hornblower has Bell pressed against the cage, preventing Bell from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Bell wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hornblower effectively controlling the action here.
Hornblower digs a right hand into Bell's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Bell's gas tank.
Hornblower slowing the pace effectively.
Bell swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bell misses with some punches.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Horacio Hornblower dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hornblower rushes Bell and presses him up against the cage.
Bell throws a head punch that misses.
Still in the clinch, Hornblower scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short right from Hornblower on the inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Hornblower .
Hornblower lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hornblower presses Bell against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hornblower lands a shot to the body.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hornblower lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hornblower keeps control of Bell as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A short right from Hornblower on the inside.
Bell jumps guard but Hornblower stands there with Bell around his waist. Bell gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Bell tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hornblower lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hornblower working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hornblower .
Hornblower is pushing Bell up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Hornblower lands a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hornblower lands with a right to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hornblower .
Hornblower stalling.
Hornblower lands a right hand.
Hornblower lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bell backwards.

Hornblower breaks from the clinch.
Bell gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Hornblower counters with a crisp one two that drops Bell! Hornblower thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Bell to his feet! Bell is in big trouble!

Bell is rocked!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rj Bell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hornblower throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Oh Bell is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Bell takes a body punch but keeps moving.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bell gets clipped by a big right hand and goes down spinning to the canvas! Hornblower gets the back mount and begins to drop bombs on his rocked foe! Bell is too out of it to defend against the strikes and the referee jumps in to save him from the beatdown!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:40 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Horacio Hornblower !
Horacio Hornblower is the new lightweight champion!