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Stepping Stone 34 PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the super heavyweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of London, with a TWGC record of 5 wins and 6 losses; Jari Laitila! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Las Vegas, with a TWGC record of 4 wins and 5 losses; Matt Barnes!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Dillan Fox and Gregory Folan.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Barnes works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Laitila (0) vs (2) Barnes
Laitila has his foot on Barnes's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Barnes works his way back into a safe position though.
My spies in Mentor Gym inform me that Barnes has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Barnes trying to control the position from guard on top but Laitila is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Laitila is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Barnes must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Barnes trying to control the position from guard on top but Laitila is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Barnes slips effortlessly into side control - very nice. Score +3 for passing guard: Laitila (0) vs (5) Barnes
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barnes is trying to get an arm triangle but Laitila is defending well.
Laitila's coaches at Jed's Gym have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Barnes tries to move into full mount but can't pass Laitila's legs.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes trying to control the action but Laitila is working from the bottom.
Barnes is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Laitila knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Barnes trying to control the action but Laitila is working from the bottom.
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.
Laitila tries to bench press Barnes off him but Barnes keeps the position.
Barnes goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Laitila rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Barnes's guard! Nice work there by Laitila! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Laitila (2) vs (5) Barnes
Laitila engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laitila wants to control from the top but Barnes keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Laitila might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Laitila wants to pass the guard but Barnes is keeping the position.
Laitila wants to control from the top but Barnes keeps moving.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laitila controlling from the top position.
Laitila trying to control but Barnes is working from the bottom.
Barnes working a defensive guard but Laitila passes into half guard.
Laitila is looking to advance position but Barnes won't allow it.
Laitila is trying to control. Barnes wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Laitila content to control rather than advance.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Barnes wants to get back to full guard.
Laitila is looking to take a break and control but Barnes is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Barnes is trying to maintain the position but Laitila is very close to passing his half guard.
Laitila is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Barnes has managed to free his arm - good work.
Barnes makes his way to full guard, as Laitila worked for a kimura.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Barnes keeping moving, preventing Laitila from controlling successfully.
Laitila works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Laitila trying to pass the guard but Barnes defending well.
Barnes is trying to maintain the position but Laitila is very close to passing his half guard.
Laitila not doing much here.
Barnes gets full guard.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Laitila trying to control but Barnes is working from the bottom.
Laitila is really struggling to control Barnes but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Laitila postures up.
Laitila trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Laitila wants to control from the top but Barnes keeps moving.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Barnes looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Laitila passes easily into side control. Nice work. Score +3 for passing guard: Laitila (5) vs (5) Barnes
Laitila has knee on belly and moves into mount. Score +2 for reaching mount: Laitila (7) vs (5) Barnes
Barnes is trying to escape the mount.
Laitila looking to control and managing it successfully.
Barnes tries to get back to half guard but can't.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Barnes keeps trying to improve his position.
Barnes is squirming around, avoiding Laitila's attempts to control the action.
Laitila controlling the position easily from mount.
Laitila tries to control but Barnes wriggling away.
Laitila fails to move to back control.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Laitila is trying to control here but Barnes has managed to regain half guard.
Barnes controlling the position well.
Laitila trying to pass the guard but Barnes defending well.
Laitila is working hard here to advance position.
Laitila is looking to pass Barnes's guard but actually Barnes recovers to full guard.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Laitila looking to sit in guard and control but Barnes gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Laitila (7) vs (7) Barnes
Barnes wants to control from the top but Laitila keeps moving.
Laitila looking to control.
Barnes wants to control from the top but Laitila keeps moving.
Barnes slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Laitila bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Barnes's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Laitila (9) vs (7) Barnes
Laitila wants to control from the top but Barnes keeps moving.
Laitila drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Barnes dives on top into guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Laitila (9) vs (9) Barnes
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Laitila looking for a sweep. Not yet Laitila, not yet.
Laitila trying to control the position here.
Laitila not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Barnes trying to control the position from guard on top but Laitila is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Barnes advances to half guard.
Barnes is keen to just control but Laitila is a slippery customer.
Laitila gets full guard.
Laitila looking to hit a scissor sweep but Barnes is one step ahead there.
Barnes wants to pass the guard but Laitila is keeping the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Barnes wants to control from the top but Laitila keeps moving.
And that's the end of the fight!
As we have tied on points, we go to a tie breaker and Laitila gets a bonus point for attempting more subs.
Laitila takes the fight on points by 10 to 9. |
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