PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Helio dos Passos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luke Lashley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Lashley's choice of entrance music: Hustlin. Luke Lashley has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

dos Passos
vs
Lashley

174 cm
32
155 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

168 cm
35
153 lbs
22 - 23 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Soul Supremacy Nutrition
Cage Star

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 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Helio dos Passos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Luke Lashley!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Stewart Dunkirk and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lashley throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Lashley is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in dos Passos's half guard.

dos Passos looking for submissions off his back.
Lashley looks to land a strike but dos Passos avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

dos Passos is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lashley is aware though and is defending well.
dos Passos seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Lashley trying to control the position from guard on top but dos Passos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lashley in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lashley content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Lashley throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as dos Passos works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
dos Passos avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lashley wants to pass the guard but dos Passos is keeping the position.
Lashley trying to control but dos Passos is working from the bottom.
Lashley throwing strikes from guard but dos Passos blocks nicely.
Lashley postures up in dos Passos's guard and throws a big left but dos Passos blocks it.
Lashley throws a big elbow that misses.

dos Passos is looking for a triangle but Lashley pushes his legs off easily.
Lashley told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
dos Passos has momentary wrist control but Lashley slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

dos Passos looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Lashley loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lashley lands a couple of digs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lashley trying to control but dos Passos is working from the bottom.

dos Passos throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lashley throwing strikes but missing.
dos Passos wants to sweep here but Lashley controlling him for the moment.
Lashley advances position into side control!
dos Passos is not content to let Lashley control the position.

Lashley has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Luke Lashley seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lashley shoots in and bounces dos Passos off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Lashley distracts dos Passos with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
dos Passos avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
dos Passos has a closed guard, preventing Lashley from standing up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
dos Passos working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lashley.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lashley postures up in dos Passos's guard and throws a big left but dos Passos blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Lashley dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Lashley shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. dos Passos is trying to defend but Lashley finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

dos Passos is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lashley pulls his head out easily.
dos Passos is looking to improve his position.
dos Passos moves into full guard.

dos Passos has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lashley can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Lashley scoring with punches to the head and body.
Lashley must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lashley is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Lashley throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lashley postures up in dos Passos's guard and throws a big left but dos Passos blocks it.
dos Passos preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lashley working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lashley throws a big elbow that misses.
Luke Lashley has got the better of the ground game so far.

dos Passos working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lashley doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lashley manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lashley working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
dos Passos keeping moving, preventing Lashley from controlling successfully.
dos Passos has momentary wrist control but Lashley slips an elbow through the middle.
Lashley trying to control the position from guard on top but dos Passos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Lashley drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and dos Passos dives on top into guard.

dos Passos drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Lashley manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now dos Passos has Lashley in his guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lashley is looking to work some ground and pound but dos Passos has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lashley accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

dos Passos is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lashley is aware though and is defending well.
Lashley in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lashley with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Lashley working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lashley trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lashley throwing strikes but missing.
Lashley distracts dos Passos with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lashley in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lashley postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

dos Passos looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Lashley landing some decent shots from guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

dos Passos has his foot on Lashley's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lashley works his way back into a safe position though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lashley loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lashley working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lashley stands up over dos Passos, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Lashley showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Lashley drives through with a takedown into dos Passos's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
dos Passos utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lashley passes into half guard.

dos Passos looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Lashley seems to be looking for submissions.
Lashley throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Lashley seems to be looking for submissions.

Lashley is trying to work for a kimura but dos Passos is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lashley thows a huge punch but dos Passos dodges it nicely.
Lashley not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Lashley missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
dos Passos slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Lashley forces his way into half guard.
Lashley seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

dos Passos looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Lashley connects with a nice short shot to dos Passos's temple.
Lashley lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Lashley thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed dos Passos's head.
Lashley lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lashley working over dos Passos with some ground and pound. dos Passos looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lashley throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

dos Passos is defending against the submission attempts here by Lashley.
Lashley sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. dos Passos defending well though.
dos Passos makes his way to full guard. A much better position for dos Passos.
Lashley landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lashley works over dos Passos with some ground and pound from guard.
dos Passos keeping moving, preventing Lashley from controlling successfully.

dos Passos is working an open guard so Lashley takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Lashley shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Luke Lashley is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Lashley drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
dos Passos keeping moving, preventing Lashley from controlling successfully.
Lashley won't allow dos Passos to sweep him here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luke Lashley comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Lashley 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luke Lashley!
After the big win, Luke Lashley made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Just Fight (Everything 7$) and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.