PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Edward Hands (ranked 24248 p4p, 675 weight class) and Joey Lane Jr (ranked 24584 p4p, 700 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Hands
vs
Lane Jr

178 cm
19
150 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

170 cm
21
150 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Edward Hands!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joey Lane Jr!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hands avoids the head kick by Lane Jr.
We've been hearing reports that Hands has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.

Hands dives in and scores a takedown into Lane Jr's guard.
Lane Jr doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Lane Jr pushes Hands off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Lane Jr shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Hands napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Hands is trying to improve his position.
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!
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Hands tries to improve position but can't.
Hands prevents Lane Jr from improving position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lane Jr throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Lane Jr is looking to take a break and control but Hands is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Lane Jr taking a break here but Hands is having none of it and regains half guard.
Lane Jr trying to control the pace.
Lane Jr prevents Hands from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Lane Jr is keen to just control but Hands is a slippery customer.
Lane Jr controlling the action here.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Lane Jr tries to stand and escape but Hands is controlling the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Lane Jr clinches with his opponent.
Hands has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Lane Jr avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Lane Jr breaks the clinch.

Lane Jr tries to sprawl but Hands drives through with a takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lane Jr pushes Hands off looking to stand but Hands dives back in and keeps control.
Lane Jr preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Lane Jr is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Lane Jr is positioning himself well to prevent Hands advancing to mount.

Lane Jr has one foot on Hands's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Hands shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Lane Jr sprawls well. Lane Jr wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hands gets slowly back to his feet.
Lane Jr moves in looking to clinch but Hands pushes him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hands.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edward Hands. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Lane Jr shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hands's guard.
Lane Jr postures up and lands a big shot to Hands's brow.
Lane Jr wants to control from the top but Hands keeps moving.
Hands can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Lane Jr controls the pace.
Lane Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Hands is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lane Jr must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joey Lane Jr dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Lane Jr fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hands sprawls well initially but Lane Jr persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Lane Jr wants to stand up but Hands has a hold of him and won't allow it.

Hands actively working from the bottom here.
Hands is not content to let Lane Jr control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hands is looking to control Lane Jr's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hands avoid being mounted?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lane Jr takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lane Jr is looking to advance position but Hands won't allow it.
Lane Jr is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Lane Jr seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Lane Jr has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Lane Jr tries to stall but Hands uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hands is working for takedown but Lane Jr is calmly controlling the position for now.

Hands is trying to trip Lane Jr. He has hold of a leg but Lane Jr is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Hands persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Lane Jr wants to control the position but Hands says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Lane Jr is trying to get back to full guard.
Lane Jr is trying to stand.

Hands decides to return to a standing position.

Hands shoots in and bounces Lane Jr off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Hands stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hands closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lane Jr circles away.
No luck for Hands with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edward Hands. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Lane Jr looking to score a takedown here. Hands is defending well but Lane Jr drives through and ends up in Hands's guard.
Lane Jr has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lane Jr controls from within his opponent's guard.
Hands wants to sweep here but Lane Jr controlling him for the moment.
Lane Jr missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hands working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lane Jr doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lane Jr manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lane Jr stays in close to Hands's body and controls the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lane Jr is looking to work some ground and pound but Hands has wrist control.
Hands keeping moving, preventing Lane Jr from controlling successfully.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Hands working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Lane Jr has passed into half guard!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joey Lane Jr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Lane Jr throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Hands tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Lane Jr is in Hands's guard.
Lane Jr looking to pass the guard.
Lane Jr trying to move into half guard but instead Hands has managed to sweep!

Lane Jr has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Hands has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Hands looking for a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hands has Lane Jr pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Lane Jr manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Lane Jr wants the takedown. Hands is fighting it off but Lane Jr persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Hands's guard against the cage.

Hands looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lane Jr sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hands is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lane Jr is aware though and is defending well.
Lane Jr trying to control but Hands is working from the bottom.
Hands working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lane Jr.

Lane Jr is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Hands is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Hands has escaped and now he's on top!

Lane Jr is looking for a triangle here but Hands uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hands stands up and beckons Lane Jr to his feet.

Hands is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Lane Jr's half guard.

Lane Jr manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head kick misses from Lane Jr.
Hands shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lane Jr pinned against the cage. Lane Jr gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
It seemed like Lane Jr was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edward Hands. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lane Jr gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Lane Jr pushes Hands off and gets back to his feet.
Lane Jr tries to clinch up.
Hands drops down looking for a counter takedown but Lane Jr sprawls and moves away.

Lane Jr shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Hands is trying to defend but Lane Jr finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Lane Jr content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hands regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hands tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hands keeping moving, preventing Lane Jr from controlling successfully.
Hands is trying to control the position but Lane Jr postures up.
Lane Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Hands is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Lane Jr gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joey Lane Jr comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Lane Jr has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joey Lane Jr!