PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lucas Barbosa (ranked 282 p4p, 108 weight class) and Siale Veainu (ranked 32 p4p, 12 weight class). Siale Veainu has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Barbosa
vs
Veainu

178 cm
27
190
10 - 2 - 0

172 cm
27
195
12 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Beachside Supplements & Laundry (90%)

PWNAGE

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lucas Barbosa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Siale Veainu!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Glass and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Veainu misses the jab.
Veainu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Barbosa.

Veainu tries to sprawl but Barbosa drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Veainu wants to get back to his feet.
Veainu keeping hold of Barbosa's head, controlling as best he can.
Barbosa has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Veainu is trying to maintain the position but Barbosa is very close to passing his half guard.

Barbosa is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Veainu tries to roll over but Barbosa keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barbosa with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Barbosa is keen to just control but Veainu is a slippery customer.
Veainu is trying to get back to full guard.

Barbosa is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa is thwarting Veainu's attempts to control the position.
Barbosa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Veainu does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Veainu is looking for a sweep. Barbosa is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Veainu keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Veainu has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Barbosa is working away from the top position though.
Veainu wants to get back to his feet.

Barbosa is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Veainu sees it coming and defends easily.
Barbosa moves into full mount! Veainu won't be happy about that!

Barbosa is working for a guillotine from mount but Veainu frees his head quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa scores with a couple of good head shots there.

Barbosa has control of Veainu's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Veainu regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Veainu tries to reverse the position but Barbosa maintains control.
Barbosa fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Veainu is bucking up trying to escape but Barbosa cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Veainu is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Veainu felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

Barbosa jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Veainu manages to avoid the submission attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Barbosa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Veainu knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Barbosa tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa tries to move into full mount but can't pass Veainu's legs.
Veainu is looking to regain half guard here but Barbosa keeps moving and retains side control.

Barbosa looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Barbosa is trying to get an arm triangle but Veainu is defending well.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Veainu can do anything to dispel that myth.
Barbosa misses with the ground and pound.
Veainu wants to control but Barbosa postures up.

Barbosa tries for a kimura but Veainu is defending well.
Veainu is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veainu is looking to get back to his feet here but Barbosa is keeping cool and he's managed to take Veainu's back.
Barbosa has the hooks in. Veainu is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Barbosa looking for the choke but no joy.
Veainu rolls, trying to escape but Barbosa keeps control of the position.

Barbosa is working on the RNC. He looks like he's got it but Veainu won't tap... Oh, he's out! The ref rips Barbosa off his unconscious opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Lucas Barbosa!
Lucas Barbosa retains his middleweight title!