PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Itor Lamope (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Trager (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lamope comes to the cage accompanied by I'm Souljah. Trager has chosen Bang Bang as his entrance music. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Lamope
vs
Trager

165 cm
34
148 lbs
25 - 14 - 1

170 cm
32
155 lbs
14 - 4 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

REAR NAKED CHOKE NUTRITION
//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 14 - 1, fighting out of New York, Itor Lamope!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alex Trager!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lamope throws out a leg kick but Trager moves out of range and Lamope only half commits.
Lamope misses with a hook
and Trager counters with a two punch combo.
Trager takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Lamope misses with a body shot.
Trager chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Lamope can pounce on him.
Trager shoots and misses
and Trager takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Horrible takedown attempt by Trager or perhaps it was just good defense by Lamope, which made it look bad.
Trager will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Itor Lamope has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Trager.
Lamope misses with a looping left.
Lamope looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Trager fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Lamope keeps Trager at a distance using the push kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trager showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Lamope.
Trager tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lamope swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lamope jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Trager shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lamope as he jumps to the side.
Trager dives in and grabs Lamope's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lamope pushes down on Trager's head and hops out.
Trager will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Lamope comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Lamope moves to clinch but Trager breaks away

and Trager counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lamope is looking for a triangle but Trager pushes his legs off easily.
Trager is looking to work some ground and pound but Lamope has wrist control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Trager throws a big elbow that misses.

Lamope looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Trager throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Trager accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Trager throwing strikes but missing.
Lamope avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lamope controls Trager momentarily but Trager frees himself.
Trager trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trager missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Trager throwing strikes from guard but Lamope blocks nicely.
Lamope pulls Trager in close to prevent any damage.
Trager with a flurry of punches that miss.
Trager connects with a couple of short punches.

Lamope has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Trager can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Trager in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Trager throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trager throwing strikes from guard but Lamope blocks nicely.
Trager throwing strikes but missing.
Trager postures up in Lamope's guard and throws a big left but Lamope blocks it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lamope working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Lamope utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Trager accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lamope trying to control the position.
Trager postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alex Trager will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Lamope ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Trager moves away.
Nice body punch from Lamope.
Lamope throws a shot from downtown. Trager moves away and avoids it.
Lamope throws an off balance right hand
and Trager counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Lamope misses with a right hand
and Trager cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Lamope slaps away a takedown attempt from Trager, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Lamope misses with a body punch

and Trager moves into the clinch.
Trager is trying to drag Lamope to the mat but Lamope just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Lamope tries to work over Trager's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Lamope breaks the clinch.
Lamope throws a series of punches but Trager avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trager fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Itor Lamope has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Trager.
Lamope connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Lamope leaves Trager with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Trager takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Lamope tries to clinch but Trager is having none of it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Trager or perhaps it was just good defense by Lamope, which made it look bad.
Lamope misses with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trager dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lamope. That did some damage!
Trager shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lamope as he avoids it easily.

Trager drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
An elbow from Trager crashes against the mat.
Trager working away.
Lamope is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Trager throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Lamope is trying to control Trager's posture but Trager avoids it.
Trager looks up at the clock and then as Lamope takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Trager smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Trager working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Trager are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Trager working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Lamope struggling a bit here.
Lamope dodges the ground and pound from Trager.
Trager cracks Lamope with a big elbow.
Lamope sneaks back into half guard.

Trager is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Trager 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lamope wants to get back to his feet.
Trager working over Lamope with some ground and pound. Lamope looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Trager throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Lamope to regain full guard.
Trager postures up in Lamope's guard and throws a big left but Lamope blocks it.
Lamope looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alex Trager will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Lamope's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lamope looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Trager fails to land the takedown.
Itor Lamope is winning the standup battle so far.
Trager tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Lamope defends well and Trager ends up having to push Lamope into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Lamope misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Trager.
Lamope tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Trager tries to pull guard but Lamope holds him up against the cage and eventually Trager drops back down to his feet.
Itor Lamope has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Trager.
Trager tries to score a body lock takedown but Lamope shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Trager wants a takedown.

Lamope breaks from the clinch.
Trager fails with a takedown attempt.
A jab lands there for Lamope.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lamope misses with a double jab.
Lamope throws a body shot but no joy.
Trager closes the distance and clinches up with Lamope, looking for a takedown. Trager pushes Lamope against the cage but Lamope circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Trager goes for a double leg but Lamope avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Lamope continues to drive forward.
Trager blocks a body shot from Lamope.
Lamope stops a takedown attempt from Trager.
Trager drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Lamope gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Lamope misses with the head strike.
Lamope tries a body shot but Trager blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trager tries for a takedown but Lamope manages to get underhooks.
Lamope gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Trager.
Lamope working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Lamope throws a punch but it's blocked by Trager.
Trager is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Lamope pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Trager is trying to drag Lamope to the mat but Lamope just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Trager takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lamope softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Lamope lands a shoulder strike.
Lamope working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Trager blocks a body shot from Lamope.
Trager swings wildly with an uppercut but Lamope uses good head movement to avoid it.
Trager blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lamope can't find room to land a body shot as Trager controls the action.
Trager wants to take the fight to the mat but Lamope manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Trager blocking some punches.
Lamope lands with a left to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Lamope fails to land.
A short right from Lamope.
Lamope fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Trager manages to pull guard.
Lamope trying to control but Trager is working from the bottom.

Trager throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Trager escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lamope gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Lamope decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Trager, up you get!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lamope. Trager does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lamope tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Trager was well out of range. Poor timing from Lamope.
Lamope lands a head shot.
Trager moves out of range of the strikes.
Lamope misses with a hook. Trager ducked under it nicely.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nice sprawl there from Lamope as Trager shoots in.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lamope scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Lamope misses with a series of wild punches.
Lamope scores with a jab to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Itor Lamope clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Trager closes the distance and clinches up with Lamope, looking for a takedown. Trager pushes Lamope against the cage but Lamope circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Trager with a poor takedown
enabling Lamope to counter with a crisp jab.
Trager fails with the takedown
and Lamope counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Itor Lamope has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Trager.
Lamope throws a lazy uppercut
and Trager counters with a head kick. That will keep Lamope thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Lamope lands with a nice body punch.
Lamope bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Trager's head backwards.
Lamope swinging wildly here.
Nice sprawl there from Lamope as Trager shoots in.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trager misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Lamope scores with a hook to the body. Trager takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Trager is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Lamope lands a glancing blow to the side of Trager's head.
The fighters circling - Lamope throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lamope looks to land a body kick but Trager moved away.
Itor Lamope is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lamope connects with a body shot.
Lamope misses with a wild body shot.
Lamope misses with a straight left.
Itor Lamope seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lamope pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lamope tries a head kick but it misses.
Alex Trager is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Trager takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Lamope lands a lovely overhand right.
Lamope scores with a sloppy right hand. Trager should have avoided that one.
Lamope throws an overhand right that lands on Trager's shoulder, as Trager tries to avoid the shot.
Lamope swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Trager counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Trager fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lamope throws an overhand right that lands on Trager's shoulder, as Trager tries to avoid the shot.
Good standup being displayed there by Lamope as he connects with a hook.
Trager tries to clinch but Lamope moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trager bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Trager drives through with a takedown into Lamope's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Trager accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Trager in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Trager throwing strikes but missing.
Lamope is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Lamope avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Trager accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Trager is fighting to break Lamope's control of his arms but Lamope is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My spies in Weed Nation inform me that Trager has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

The ref stands the fighters back up because Itor Lamope just wasn't active enough.
A swing and a miss from Lamope.
Trager steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lamope.
A slapping leg kick lands for Lamope.
Lamope scoring well with a low kick there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd cheers as Lamope lands an impressive looking overhand right. Trager doesn't seem phased though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Trager stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Lamope.
Lamope displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Trager.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Itor Lamope had his way with Alex Trager in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Lamope misses with a kick to the body.
Lamope throws a lazy uppercut
and Trager counters with a nice leg kick.
No luck for Trager with that takedown attempt.
Lamope ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Trager moves away.

Trager throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Lamope tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Trager is in Lamope's guard.
Trager throws a big elbow that misses.
Lamope trying to keep a closed guard but Trager is proving a slippery customer.
Trager postures up in Lamope's guard and throws a big left but Lamope blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trager throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lamope works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Trager is fighting to break Lamope's control of his arms but Lamope is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Lamope escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Trager gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Lamope pulls Trager in close to prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Trager avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Lamope looking for a guillotine here but Trager defends easily.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trager trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lamope utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lamope seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Trager got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lamope has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Trager has managed to get both his arms back between Lamope's legs - danger averted.
Trager throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lamope works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Trager throwing strikes but missing.
Trager with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lamope trying to control the position.
Trager loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Trager throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lamope controls Trager momentarily but Trager frees himself.
Lamope preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lamope avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Trager working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lamope working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Trager.
Trager missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Trager throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lamope works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trager trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Trager's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Trager working some strikes from top position.
Lamope pulls Trager in close to his closed guard and prevents Trager from doing any damage or advancing position.
Trager throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lamope utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Trager postures up in Lamope's guard and throws a big left but Lamope blocks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Trager missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Lamope is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Lamope trying to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Trager comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Trager 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 47:48
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 47:48
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Trager!
Alex Trager is the new featherweight champion!
A victorious Alex Trager thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.