PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between George Backman (ranked 1795 p4p, 1424 weight class) and Jaro Lalla (ranked 98 p4p, 74 weight class). Lalla has chosen ЛЮБИ as his entrance music. This should be fireworks!

Backman
vs
Lalla

180 cm
33
145
9 - 11 - 0

175 cm
32
126
16 - 17 - 2

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

PWNAGE

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 9 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, George Backman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 17 - 2, fighting out of London, Jaro Lalla!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Lou da Vinci and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Decent striking displayed by Backman there.
Backman throws a series of punches but Lalla moves out of range.
Lalla throws out a counter right but Backman avoids it with no problem.
Backman misses with a looping left.
A little jabbing left from Lalla on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Backman lands the left hand.
Backman throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Backman loads up on a big right hand but Lalla slips the punch.
A right-left combo lands from Backman.

Lalla is rocked!
George Backman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Backman throws an overhand right that lands on Lalla's shoulder, as Lalla tries to avoid the shot.
Backman really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Lalla uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Backman.
Backman throws a hook but Lalla avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from Lalla on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Backman misses with the combination.
Lalla looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A big right from Backman misses.
We've been told by Backman's head coaches at St Petersburg MMA Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lalla steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Backman.
It seemed like Lalla was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Lalla uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Backman.

Lalla scores with a takedown into Backman's guard.

Lalla drops back looking for a leg! Backman is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Backman manages to kick Lalla off! Lalla jumps back into Backman's guard.
Lalla has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at JAG Battle Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Backman knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lalla on the ground.
Backman is looking to stand up but Lalla isn't so interested in that idea.

Lalla is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lalla pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Backman is keeping the position for now.
Lalla advances to half guard.
Backman is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lalla is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Backman is controlling Lalla's trapped leg to prevent Lalla from advancing to side control.
Backman trying to get back to full guard but Lalla takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Backman keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backman tries to hold on but Lalla pushes him away.

Lalla goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Backman is on top in guard.
Lalla has a closed guard, preventing Backman from standing up.

Backman stands up from guard. Let's bang!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lalla takes a jab right on the kisser.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

George Backman dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lalla avoids a punch combination nicely.
Backman looks to land a left hand but Lalla moved out of range nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lalla! But no joy.
Backman scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

It looks like Jaro Lalla has been cut.
Backman swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Backman throws a hook but Lalla blocks it.
A little jabbing left from Lalla on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Backman ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lalla moves away.
Backman leaves Lalla with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Backman throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Lalla to counter with a crisp jab.
Backman looks to land a combination but Lalla avoids it well.
A little jabbing left from Lalla on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A slow jab from Backman misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backman looks to throw the jab but Lalla is out of range.
Lalla looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Lalla moves out of range as Backman strikes.
Lalla looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Nice shot by Backman.
Lalla shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Backman as he avoids it easily.
Backman is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lalla can do to turn this around?
Lalla gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Backman.
Backman misses with a two punch combination.
Lalla swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Backman throws a series of punches but Lalla moves out of range.
Backman is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lalla.
George Backman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Backman looks to land a left hand but Lalla moved out of range nicely.
Lalla looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Backman scores with a jab to the jaw.
Backman throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lalla moves out of range of the strikes.
Lalla keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Backman.
Lalla looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Backman scores with a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Backman dips to his left and cracks Lalla with an uppercut!
Lalla is still on wobbly legs! Can Backman finish him?
Lalla defending well as Backman loads up on a big left hand.
It seemed like Lalla was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Lalla seems to have recovered his senses.
Backman throws a right and a left that both miss.
George Backman is winning the standup battle so far.
Backman throws a hook but Lalla blocks it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lalla.
A quick step to the side and Backman tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
George Backman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jaro Lalla.
Lalla moves out of range as Backman strikes.
Lalla shoots in but no luck this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lalla staying out of range there.
It seemed like Lalla was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Backman scores with a nice head shot.
Lalla takes one to the side of the head.
Lalla bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Backman misses with a hook.
A little jabbing left from Lalla on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Backman throws a jab when Lalla was well out of range.
It seemed like Lalla was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Backman digs a good body shot into Lalla's ribs.
Backman throws an overhand right that lands on Lalla's shoulder, as Lalla tries to avoid the shot.
A little jabbing left from Lalla on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Backman throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Backman misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lalla ducks under a wild hook from Backman.
Lalla swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lalla is defended easily by Backman.
Lalla moves out of range as Backman strikes.
A little jabbing left from Lalla on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Backman thows a left - swing and a miss!
Backman misses the jab.
Backman misses with a straight right.
Lalla was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Lalla takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
No joy there for Backman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lalla throws out a counter right but Backman avoids it with no problem.
Backman is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Backman lands a really nice looking cross but Lalla seems unphased.
Backman swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

George Backman dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jaro Lalla's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Backman swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lalla looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Backman rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lalla moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lalla looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Backman swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Backman lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Lalla blocks a jab.
Backman throws a jab but it's blocked by Lalla.
Backman throws a hook but Lalla blocks it.
Lalla throws out a counter right but Backman avoids it with no problem.
Lalla is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Backman looks to land a right hand but Lalla moved out of range.
It seemed like Lalla was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Backman throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Lalla doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Backman fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Lalla on the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Backman. Those never looked like landing.
Lalla slips under a jab from Backman.
A little jabbing left from Lalla on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Backman throws a series of punches but Lalla moves out of range.
Backman misses the shot to the body.
Lalla looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Backman leaves Lalla with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
It looked like Backman wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Backman throws a looping overhand right but Lalla ducks down to avoid it.
Backman pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lalla darts in looking for a takedown but Backman gets double underhooks and turns Lalla into the cage.
Backman swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Backman pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Lalla back to the cage. Backman follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Backman.
Lalla throws out a counter right but Backman avoids it with no problem.
Backman cracks Lalla with an open hand slap.
Backman misses with a hook. Lalla ducked under it nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lalla! But no joy.
Backman pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lalla flicks out a counter leg kick but Backman steps away.
Backman throws a shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Backman misses the target.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Backman throws a body punch but Lalla moves out of range.
Lalla was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Jaro Lalla has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Backman throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lalla on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Lalla showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Backman.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lalla uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Backman.
Lalla looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Backman, as that shot connected.
Lalla has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Backman throws a hook but Lalla avoids it easily.
Lalla slips a jab from Backman.
Lalla only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Backman looks to score with a jab to the body but Lalla is just out of range.
Lalla dives in and grabs Backman's left leg, looking for a takedown. Backman pushes down on Lalla's head and hops out.
George Backman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jaro Lalla.
Backman throws a combination that misses
and Lalla cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Backman lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Backman misses with a right hand
and Lalla counters with a straight right hand.
A jab from Backman misses.
A little jabbing left from Lalla on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
The crowd cheers as Backman lands an impressive looking overhand right. Lalla doesn't seem phased though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backman throws a hook to the side of Lalla's head but Lalla sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Lalla throws out a counter right but Backman avoids it with no problem.
Backman throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A little jabbing left from Lalla on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Lalla keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lalla flicks out a counter leg kick but Backman steps away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Backman throws a jab when Lalla was well out of range.
Lalla moves away from the strike by Backman.
A big left from Backman misses.
Lalla was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
A punch lands to the side of Lalla 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Lalla slips a jab and a cross from Backman.
Backman throws a hook to the side of Lalla's head but Lalla sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A little jabbing left from Lalla on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Backman with a hook.
George Backman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Backman lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
George Backman showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Backman, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:25
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:25
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... George Backman!
George Backman seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
The defeated Jaro Lalla had this to say: '$#%@@@!!! SHIT!!!!! FUC@#$ YOU ALL!@#$#@@'.