PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Efraim Turban (ranked 1667 p4p, 2186 weight class) and Pascal Barao (ranked 219 p4p, 270 weight class). Turban's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Nadav Guedj - Golden Boy . These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Turban
vs
Barao

177 cm
32
170
15 - 4 - 0

178 cm
23
167
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

HARDCORE Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Efraim Turban!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pascal Barao!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Elvis Blanc and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barao checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Jab from Barao.
Turban slaps away a takedown attempt from Barao, before circling back to the center of the mat.
It looked like Turban wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Barao misses with a takedown attempt - Turban sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Barao shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Turban to counter with a crisp jab.

It looks like Pascal Barao has been cut.
Efraim Turban has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pascal Barao.
Barao shoots in and drives through. Turban sprawls well.
It looked like Turban wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barao tries to score a power double leg takedown but Turban sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Barao somewhat.

Barao decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barao tries to pass to full mount but Turban defends it.
Well, if Barao is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Turban moves into full guard.
Turban looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Barao puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Turban has his hands clasped together around Barao's back. He's all about the action.
Barao trying to mount his opponent but Turban defends it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Barao in particular looking to stall.
Barao prevents Turban from standing back up.
Turban looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Barao stalling.
Barao tries to pass the half guard into mount. Turban knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Turban is not content to let Barao control the position.
Barao slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turban is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Well, if Barao is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Barao tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Turban swivels and escapes.
Efraim Turban is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A telegraphed right hand from Turban misses the target.
Barao let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Barao shoots in looking for a takedown but Turban manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Barao's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Turban appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Barao shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Barao takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barao prevents Turban from standing back up.
Turban controlling the position well.
Barao content to control rather than advance.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Turban is doing well to control the position and prevent Barao from advancing to side control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Pascal Barao will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Pascal Barao's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Turban leaves Barao with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Barao tries for a takedown but Turban circles away easily
and Turban counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Barao shoots and misses
and Turban counters with a stiff right hand.
Efraim Turban has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pascal Barao.
Turban throws a shot to the body.
Turban misses with a body kick.
Efraim Turban is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Barao throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Barao takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Barao shoots in for a takedown but Turban shows good takedown defense.
Pascal Barao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Barao.
Turban seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Barao misses with a takedown
and Turban makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Barao is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barao goes for a double leg but Turban avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Turban continues to drive forward.
Turban misses with a double jab
and Barao counters with a left and a right that stings Turban.
Turban displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Barao.
Barao tries for a takedown but Turban circles away easily
and Turban cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Barao shoots and misses
and Turban counters with a crisp right that sends Barao to the canvas! Turban follows up with punches from the mount and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:44 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Efraim Turban!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Efraim Turban waved his t-shirt featuring HARDCORE Threads's logo in front of the cameras.