PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Steve Barover (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akheem Flynn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Barover
vs
Flynn

177 cm
21
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

176 cm
24
145 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Steve Barover!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Akheem Flynn!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Phil Schofield and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Flynn shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Barover but Barover pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Flynn darts in looking for a takedown but Barover gets double underhooks and turns Flynn into the cage.
Flynn takes a kick to the side of the head.
Barover tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Flynn feints the counter takedown.
Flynn blocks a head kick by Barover.

Flynn dives in and scores a takedown into Barover's guard.
Barover is trying to keep Flynn in close.
Barover wants to get back to his feet but Flynn is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Flynn pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Barover is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Flynn trying to control but Barover is working from the bottom.
Barover wants to sweep but no luck.
Barover is looking to stand up but Flynn isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Flynn drops back, looking for a kneebar! Barover looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Barover looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Barover!

Flynn is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Barover decides to stand back up.
Flynn shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Barover as he avoids it easily.
Steve Barover has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akheem Flynn.
Flynn closes this distance looking for a takedown but Barover circles away.
Steve Barover is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Flynn shoots for a double leg takedown but Barover sprawls well. He's pushed Flynn's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Barover has been working on his boxing with his coaches at London MMA Club in the buildup to the fight.
Akheem Flynn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barover pushes Flynn away with a front kick.
Flynn tries for a takedown but Barover sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Flynn looks winded!
Barover tries a head kick but it misses.
Barover explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Barover scores with a leg kick.
Flynn tries to clinch up but Barover circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick from Barover lands but Flynn takes it in his stride.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barover lands a head kick!
Flynn fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Barover avoids it really well and circles away.
Barover throws a nice head kick!

Flynn is rocked!
Flynn fails with a takedown attempt.
Barover is looking for a counter combo.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Flynn is defended easily by Barover.
Barover swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Flynn closes the distance and clinches up with Barover, looking for a takedown. Flynn pushes Barover against the cage but Barover circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Barover tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Barover scores with a head kick.
Flynn is still on wobbly legs! Can Barover finish him?
Flynn closes this distance looking for a takedown but Barover circles away.
Barover thows a body kick. Flynn tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Flynn seems to have recovered his senses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barover throws a head kick that misses.
Barover throws a head kick that misses.
Flynn tries for a takedown but Barover circles away easily
and Barover counters with a head kick. That will keep Flynn thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Barover lands a brutal head kick. Flynn looks out on his feet and Barover throws more strikes until the ref is forced to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:20 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Kick and Punches). Steve Barover!
Steve Barover retains his featherweight title!