PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Randy Lahey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johans Belforte (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johans Belforte has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Lahey
vs
Belforte

174 cm
18
146 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

165 cm
18
143 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Very confident

Hellbent, Inc.
Organic Peak Performance

Organic Peak Performance
Hellbent, Inc.

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Randy Lahey!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Johans Belforte!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Anthony Taglia and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belforte takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Lahey gets the takedown into side control.
Belforte is looking for a sweep.
Belforte can't do much from the bottom here.
Belforte tries to buck Lahey off but Lahey is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Belforte is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Belforte gets back to half guard.
Lahey trying to control the action but Belforte is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Lahey shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Belforte working for a triangle but Lahey defends it easily.
Belforte looking to control but Lahey passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belforte moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Lahey trying to control but Belforte is working from the bottom.
Lahey trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lahey is working hard here to advance position.
Lahey has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Belforte is proving hard to escape from.

Belforte has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lahey can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Lahey pushes down on Belforte's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Belforte is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Lahey's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Lahey's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Belforte looking for the choke but no joy.
Belforte looks gassed!

Belforte looking to break Lahey's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Lahey remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Belforte will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Lahey is trying to get back to his feet but Belforte has full control of the position and if anything, Lahey has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Lahey turns into Belforte and is now in his guard.
Lahey trying to control but Belforte is working from the bottom.
Lahey throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Belforte works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Belforte looking for a guillotine here but Lahey defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lahey loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lahey won't allow Belforte to sweep him here.
Lahey wants to pass the guard but Belforte is keeping the position.

Belforte looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Lahey passes into side control.
Belforte is looking for a sweep.
Belforte taking a bit of punishment here - Lahey scoring with strikes.

Lahey looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Belforte is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Lahey decides to stand back up.
Lahey fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Belforte takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Lahey.

Belforte drives through with a takedown into guard.
Belforte looking to pass the guard.
Lahey is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Belforte controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Randy Lahey will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Belforte scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Belforte trying to control the position but Lahey is working away.

Belforte goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Lahey rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Belforte's guard! Nice work there by Lahey!
Belforte keeping full guard, as Lahey tries to pass.

Belforte is looking for a triangle but Lahey pushes his legs off easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lahey stays in close to Belforte's body and controls the position.
Lahey tries to free his leg and advance position but Belforte is retaining full guard.
Lahey wants to get up but he can't break Belforte's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Belforte not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Belforte keeping full guard, as Lahey tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belforte trying to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Belforte shoots and misses

so Lahey counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Belforte working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lahey doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lahey manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lahey seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Belforte throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Belforte is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Belforte is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Belforte thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Lahey is trying to control the position but Belforte postures up.
Belforte sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Lahey's guard.

Lahey is defending against the submission attempts here by Belforte.
Lahey tries to roll over but Belforte keeps him under control.

Belforte looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Lahey looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belforte wants to free his trapped foot but Lahey is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Lahey is trying to control but can't.
Lahey won't allow Belforte to pass to mount.
Johans Belforte has got the better of the ground game so far.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Lahey throws a right hand that Belforte ducks under and follows up with a left that Belforte also avoids with ease.

Lahey scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Belforte is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Lahey's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Belforte slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Belforte looking for a guillotine here but Lahey defends easily.
Lahey is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Belforte working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lahey doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lahey manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Belforte looking for a guillotine here but Lahey defends easily.

Belforte had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Lahey is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Belforte Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Lahey's back instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johans Belforte showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Lahey fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Belforte sprawls well initially but Lahey persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Lahey in particular looking to stall.
Belforte tries to get to full guard but Lahey has control of the leg.

Belforte looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Lahey is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Lahey in particular looking to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lahey is keen to just control but Belforte is a slippery customer.
Belforte tries to roll over but Lahey keeps him under control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Belforte gets a takedown into half guard.
Lahey blocking the ground and pound attempt from Belforte.
Lahey is looking for a sweep. Belforte is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Belforte is looking for a kimura here.

Belforte is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lahey is refusing to be controlled, as Belforte sits in half guard.
Belforte works his way into full mount!
Belforte wants to take his opponent's back but Lahey doesn't allow it.

Belforte looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Lahey gets back to half guard.
Lahey trying to hold on to Belforte's head to control him but Belforte postures up.

Belforte seems to be working for a kimura but Lahey defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lahey is trying to get back to full guard.

Belforte is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Lahey has managed to free his arm - good work.
Belforte wants to free his trapped foot but Lahey is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Belforte seems to be working for a kimura but Lahey defends the submission attempt.
Lahey is looking to control Belforte's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lahey avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Belforte is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Belforte trying to mount his opponent but Lahey defends it.

Belforte is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Lahey is just riding it out for now. Belforte eventually gives up the hold.
Lahey controlling the position for now.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Lahey with a poor takedown

and Belforte decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Lahey's guard.
Belforte pushing down on Lahey's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Lahey is looking for a sweep. Belforte is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johans Belforte comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Belforte has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 David Schapiro scores the fight for Johans Belforte!
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight for Johans Belforte!
Judge John Roberts scores the fight for Johans Belforte!

Johans Belforte wins by unanimous decision!