PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between John Helmsley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Barrington Xavier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Xavier has chosen Loud Hangover as his entrance music. John Helmsley has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Helmsley
vs
Xavier

180 cm
22
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

168 cm
27
155 lbs
12 - 13 - 1

Good takedowns
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Knockout power

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, John Helmsley!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Barrington Xavier!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Dillan Fox and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Helmsley misses with a takedown

so Xavier counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Helmsley will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Helmsley is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Xavier defends well.
Helmsley working a defensive guard here.
Helmsley avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Xavier postures up and lands a big shot to Helmsley's brow.
Helmsley working a defensive guard here.

Helmsley throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Xavier postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Xavier is looking to work some ground and pound but Helmsley has wrist control.

Helmsley has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Xavier can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Xavier with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Helmsley utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Xavier landing some decent shots from guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helmsley utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Xavier keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Helmsley's head.

Helmsley has his foot on Xavier's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Xavier works his way back into a safe position though.
Helmsley 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.
Xavier working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Xavier throws and elbow that misses. Helmsley uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Xavier's guard. Nice move by Helmsley!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Helmsley tries to free his leg and advance position but Xavier is retaining full guard.
Helmsley slips nicely into half guard.

Helmsley is trying to work for a kimura but Xavier is defending well.
Xavier missing with punches from the bottom.
Xavier won't allow Helmsley to pass to mount.
Xavier is on the bottom, trying to hold on to half guard. He's throwing a few small shots here, to keep his opponent honest.
Xavier striking from half guard on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helmsley uses his free foot to push down on Xavier's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Xavier.
Xavier is working to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Xavier flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Xavier is trying desperately to improve position.
Xavier is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Helmsley takes Xavier's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Xavier is in trouble.
Helmsley trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Xavier holding both Helmsley 's hands and preventing any damage.

Helmsley has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Xavier! Can he survive? No! He's out! Helmsley gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:04 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). John Helmsley!
John Helmsley is the new lightweight champion!