PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Boris Klein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jim Lahey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Klein
vs
Lahey

190 cm
25
230 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

202 cm
25
275 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

King of Fists

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight 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 Rio de Janeiro, Boris Klein!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jim Lahey!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Robert Twigg and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lahey slips a straight right by Klein.
Lahey is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.

Klein has Lahey up against the cage in a clinch.
Klein on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Klein has Lahey pressed against the cage.
Lahey missing with knees to the body.
A short left from Klein.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Lahey just misses with a elbow thrown towards Klein's brow.
Klein is trying to stall.
Lahey throws an elbow that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lahey with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lahey missing with knees to the body.
Klein is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Klein blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lahey lands an elbow inside that Klein shrugs off.

It looks like Boris Klein has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lahey with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lahey trying to stall but Klein improves his position.
Klein stalling.
Lahey taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Lahey working aggressively here.
Lahey prevents Klein from breaking the clinch.
Lahey managing to block the knees to the body from Klein.
Klein jumps guard but Lahey turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Lahey pushes off an throws an elbow but Klein leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Lahey misses with a knee to the head.
Lahey using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Klein has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lahey is pushing Klein up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Klein wants to break free but Lahey has control.
Lahey using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Klein has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Klein is looking to take this one to the mat.

Klein escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lahey chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Lahey throws a hook to the side of Klein's head but Klein sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A quick step to the side and Klein tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

Klein rushes Lahey and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Klein looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Klein jumps guard but Lahey stands there with Klein around his waist. Klein gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Boris Klein. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lahey trying to stall but Klein improves his position.
Lahey connects with a knee to the head.
Lahey swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Klein pulls guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lahey postures up in Klein's guard and throws a big left but Klein blocks it.
Klein keeping moving, preventing Lahey from controlling successfully.
Klein is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lahey with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lahey is working Klein over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Lahey is working Klein over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Klein scrambles and gets back to his feet.
A good leg kick by Lahey.
Lahey lets loose with a powerful body kick. Klein will feel that in the morning.
Lahey throws a head kick but Klein moves out of range.

Klein rushes Lahey and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Klein wants to break free but Lahey has control.
Lahey landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Klein is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Lahey is defending well for now.
Klein managing to block the knees to the body from Lahey.
Lahey using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Klein has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lahey.
Lahey has Klein pressed against the cage, preventing Klein from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Klein wants to get back to striking at distance but Lahey won't allow it.
Lahey looks to throw an elbow but misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Lahey throws an elbow but misses.
Lahey utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Klein has Lahey pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Lahey manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Lahey utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Lahey has a couple of punches blocked by Klein.
Klein avoiding damage as Lahey throws knees to the body.
Klein with an attempt at a knee that misses.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Lahey blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Klein's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Lahey dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Boris Klein's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Lahey gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Klein lands a hook to the side of the head.
Klein tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Klein wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Lahey wants to stall.
Lahey is trying to stall.
Klein wants to break the clinch but can't.
Lahey working Klein over with knees to the body.
Jim Lahey seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Klein leaning against his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A knee to the head by Lahey.
Lahey tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lahey looking to stall.
Lahey looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Lahey avoiding damage.
Lahey dodges an elbow strike from Klein.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lahey throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Klein blocks it with crossed arms.
Lahey lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Lahey tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lahey tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Klein tries to land knees in the clinch but Lahey avoids the damage to the body.
Klein tries to break the clinch but Lahey is controlling the position.

Klein drags the fight down to the ground.
Lahey tries to free his leg and advance position but Klein is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Klein wants to stand but Lahey is controlling the position.
Lahey trying to control the position from guard on top but Klein is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Klein wants to sweep here but Lahey controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Klein is controlling Lahey's posture.
Lahey prevents Klein from getting back to his feet.
Klein looking to control.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Lahey trying to control but Klein is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Klein throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lahey.
Lahey fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Klein on the side of the head.
Lahey slips a jab and a cross from Klein.
Lahey feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Klein's calf.
Lahey misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lahey pulls out of a head kick attempt.
An inside leg kick lands from Lahey.
Lahey misses with a few strikes there.
Lahey takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Jim Lahey has been cut.
Lahey throws a half hearted mid kick.
Lahey throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Klein.
Klein throws a nice looking combination but Lahey bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A little jabbing left from Lahey on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Klein closes the distance and clinches.
Klein tries to break the clinch but Lahey is controlling the position.
Klein lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lahey backwards.
Stalling in the clinch from Klein.
Klein wants to break the clinch but can't.
Klein tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lahey has a couple of punches blocked by Klein.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lahey is trying to stall.
Klein leaning his opponent against the cage.
Klein on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lahey landing knees to the body.
Lahey tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Klein avoids it.
Klein wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Lahey is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Klein is defending well for now.
Klein blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lahey lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Klein drops down looking for an ankle pick but Lahey pulls his leg out and moves away.

Klein clinches up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Lahey showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Klein has taken the fight to the clinch.
Klein content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Lahey has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Klein makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Klein is trying to force a seperation but Lahey has the dominant position.
Lahey taking a breather.
Lahey using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Klein has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Klein makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Lahey throws an elbow that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Klein wants to break free but Lahey has control.
Klein lands an uppercut.
Lahey scores with a shot to the side of Klein's head.
Lahey tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Klein.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lahey is looking to control Klein's arms but Klein gets an underhook and turns him. Now Lahey has his back to the cage.
Lahey throws a head punch that misses.
Klein softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Lahey misses with a punch on the inside.
Klein blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lahey.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Klein.

Klein ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Klein no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Lahey throwing strikes but missing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lahey accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Klein avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Klein trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Klein has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Lahey off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Klein misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Lahey takes the fight into the clinch.
Lahey looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Lahey pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Klein blocks an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Klein stalls.

Klein pulls guard.

Klein pushes Lahey off and gets back to his feet.
Klein sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lahey slips a jab and a cross from Klein.

Lahey has taken the fight to the clinch.
Klein dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Lahey lands a nice knee to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stalling in the clinch from Lahey.
Lahey lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A head punch on the inside from Lahey fails to land.
Lahey tries to land a knee to the head but Klein blocks with his arms.
Lahey is looking to control Klein's arms but Klein gets an underhook and turns him. Now Lahey has his back to the cage.
Klein takes a knee to the side of the body.
A short right from Klein.
Klein is trying to push Lahey away but Lahey has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lahey looking to throw knees to the head but Klein is blocking nicely.
Lahey is pressed up against the cage. Klein has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lahey down to the mat. Lahey avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Lahey throws a nice inside leg kick.
Klein fails to land with a series of punches.
Lahey swings for the body but Klein moves out of range.
As Lahey tries to get set, Klein tries to push him back and clinch up but Lahey manages to avoid the attempt.

Lahey drives through and clinches with Klein against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lahey scores a nice knee to the body.
Lahey keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Klein's efforts to push away.
Lahey blocks an uppercut.
Lahey tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Klein avoids it.
Klein tries to circle away but Lahey has him pinned against the cage.
Klein wants to get back to striking at distance but Lahey won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Boris Klein did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lahey throws a nice outside leg kick.
That kick from Lahey tenderised Klein's leg. Klein is trying to keep his angry face on.
Jim Lahey seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A punch combination from Klein misses.
Lahey turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Klein is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Lahey is looking to clinch.
Boris Klein seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lahey with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Klein shoots in looking for a takedown but Lahey manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Klein's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lahey looks to clinch
and Klein counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lahey lands with a kick to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lahey with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Klein looks to land a combination but Lahey avoids it well.
Lahey appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Klein misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lahey moves into the clinch.
Lahey misses with a knee strike.
Lahey throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Klein blocks it with crossed arms.
Klein blocks the elbow strike.
Lahey tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Klein avoids it.
Klein tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Lahey fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Lahey displaying some good clinch control by pressing Klein up against the cage.
Klein can't break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Klein on the inside.
Klein is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Lahey gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Lahey with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lahey with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lahey blocks the elbow strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Lahey just misses with a elbow thrown towards Klein's brow.
Lahey tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Klein avoids it.
Klein on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Klein is working for takedown but Lahey is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Boris Klein. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Klein lands with a right to the head.
Lahey tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Klein avoids it.
Klein is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Lahey is defending well for now.
Klein is trying to drag Lahey to the mat but Lahey just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Lahey throws an elbow but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lahey looking to throw knees to the head but Klein is blocking nicely.
Lahey lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Lahey tries a knee to the head but Klein blocks it.
Lahey prevents the takedown attempt.
Lahey lands a hook that snaps the head of Klein backwards.
Lahey putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Klein in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Lahey keeps control of Klein as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Klein wants to break the clinch but can't.
Lahey gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Klein looking to stall.
Klein can't break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Klein wants to break the clinch but can't.
Lahey lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Lahey tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Klein slows down the pace here.
Lahey throws an elbow that misses.
Lahey stalling the fight.
Lahey misses with a punch to the body.
Lahey landing knees to the body.
Lahey tries to stall but Klein uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Klein being controlled against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Klein.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Lahey dominated that fourth round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Lahey takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Klein misses with a wild body shot.
Lahey only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Klein throws a series of punches but Lahey avoids them all with ease.
Lahey lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Klein tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Klein keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Klein went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Klein tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lahey sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Klein somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lahey connects with a solid leg kick.
Boris Klein is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Klein takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
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 one minute gone in the round.

Klein fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lahey, pushing him back against the cage.
Lahey leaning against his opponent.
Lahey tries a knee to the head but Klein blocks it.
Klein dodges an elbow strike from Lahey.
Klein blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Klein lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Klein is struggling to control the position.
Knees to the body from Lahey.
Klein has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Lahey is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Lahey lands a knee to the body.
Lahey scores with a knee to the head.
Lahey displaying some good clinch control by pressing Klein up against the cage.
Lahey lands an elbow that stopped Klein in his tracks for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lahey creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Klein is trying to push Lahey away but Lahey has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Klein tries to pull guard but Lahey forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Boris Klein. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lahey working aggressively here.
Lahey throws a knee to the head but misses.
Klein is trying to break free.
Lahey holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Klein lands a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Klein wants to stall.
Lahey creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klein lands a shot to the body.
Lahey pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Lahey with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Klein avoids a wild elbow strike from Lahey.
Lahey looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Klein is looking to break free of the clinch but Lahey has double underhooks.
A right hook to the body lands for Klein.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Klein creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Klein throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Laheys head.
Lahey working aggressively here.
Lahey wants to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Klein misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lahey.
Klein is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Lahey gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Lahey has Klein pressed against the cage, preventing Klein from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lahey tries to stall but Klein uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Boris Klein has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lahey landing knees to the head.
Lahey goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lahey misses with a knee strike.
Lahey pushes off an throws an elbow but Klein leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Lahey scores with a shot to the side of Klein's head.
Jim Lahey is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Klein lands a shoulder strike.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Klein lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
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!

Klein jumps guard and drags Lahey to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Lahey stands up over Klein, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jim Lahey comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lahey 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 46:49
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 46:49
Judge George Francis scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jim Lahey!
Jim Lahey is the new heavyweight champion!
Jim Lahey managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, King of Fists, into his post fight interview.