PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Aris Lithoxoidis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vinnie Larsen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vinnie Larsen has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Aris Lithoxoidis 's chin.

Lithoxoidis
vs
Larsen

182 cm
22
135 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

165 cm
23
135 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent knees
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aris Lithoxoidis !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vinnie Larsen!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Cecil Peabody and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Larsen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lithoxoidis swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lithoxoidis changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Larsen tries to avoid it but Lithoxoidis manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Larsen to the ground. Larsen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lithoxoidis misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Lithoxoidis really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Lithoxoidis keeps the fight on the outside.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lithoxoidis .
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aris Lithoxoidis . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Larsen tries to clinch up.
Larsen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Larsen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lithoxoidis shoots for a takedown but Larsen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Larsen wants to clinch up but Lithoxoidis keeps it at a distance.
Larsen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lithoxoidis fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Larsen sprawls well initially but Lithoxoidis persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Larsen is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Lithoxoidis pulls his head out easily.
Lithoxoidis stops Larsen from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lithoxoidis is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Larsen defends it well.
Larsen wants to get back to his feet.
Larsen regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Lithoxoidis .
Lithoxoidis trying to control but Larsen is working from the bottom.
Lithoxoidis pushing down on Larsen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Lithoxoidis is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Larsen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Lithoxoidis .

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Larsen wants to get back to his feet.
Larsen holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Lithoxoidis wants to pass the guard but Larsen is defending well.

Lithoxoidis is trying to work for a kimura but Larsen is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lithoxoidis is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Larsen trying to control here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Larsen is looking to clinch.

Larsen gets a clinch.
Lithoxoidis takes an elbow to the temple.
Larsen tries a knee to the head but Lithoxoidis blocks it.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Larsen takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Lithoxoidis gets underhooks to prevent Larsen's takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Larsen looking to throw knees to the head but Lithoxoidis is blocking nicely.
Larsen missing with knees to the body.
Larsen wants a takedown but no success here.
Larsen lands a nice knee to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Lithoxoidis as Larsen tries to tie him up.

Lithoxoidis is fighting off a takedown attempt but Larsen is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Lithoxoidis to the mat. Lithoxoidis regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Lithoxoidis keeping moving, preventing Larsen from controlling successfully.

Larsen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Lithoxoidis throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vinnie Larsen will probably get the nod.
That's time! Lithoxoidis 's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lithoxoidis keeps the fight on the outside.
Lithoxoidis avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lithoxoidis looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Larsen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lithoxoidis swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lithoxoidis .
Lithoxoidis changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Larsen tries to avoid it but Lithoxoidis manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Larsen to the ground. Larsen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aris Lithoxoidis . That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lithoxoidis looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Larsen moves in looking to clinch but Lithoxoidis pushes him off.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Larsen wants to clinch up but Lithoxoidis keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lithoxoidis swats away the attempt to clinch by Larsen.
Lithoxoidis misses with a takedown attempt - Larsen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lithoxoidis circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lithoxoidis fails with the takedown.
Aris Lithoxoidis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Larsen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Larsen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Lithoxoidis tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Lithoxoidis is working hard here to advance position.
Larsen creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Larsen tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Larsen thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Lithoxoidis can't do much from the bottom here.
Larsen tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Lithoxoidis is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lithoxoidis on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Larsen decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Larsen shoots in but no luck this time.
Larsen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Lithoxoidis closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Lithoxoidis with the ground and pound but Larsen regains half guard under the barage of strikes.

Lithoxoidis is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Lithoxoidis working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Larsen's thigh. Larsen counters though and makes it back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Larsen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lithoxoidis doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lithoxoidis manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Larsen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Larsen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vinnie Larsen 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Larsen is looking to clinch but Lithoxoidis is avoiding it.
Larsen tries for a takedown but Lithoxoidis sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Lithoxoidis gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Larsen counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Larsen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Lithoxoidis pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Larsen tries to work over Lithoxoidis 's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Larsen.
Lithoxoidis avoiding damage as Larsen throws knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Larsen fails to land.
Larsen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lithoxoidis just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Aris Lithoxoidis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vinnie Larsen.
Larsen tries a knee to the head but Lithoxoidis blocks it.
Larsen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Larsen misses with the head strike.
Larsen tries a knee to the head but Lithoxoidis blocks it.

Larsen is fighting off a takedown attempt but Lithoxoidis is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Larsen to the mat. Larsen regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Larsen keeping moving, preventing Lithoxoidis from controlling successfully.
Lithoxoidis cracks Larsen with a solid left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lithoxoidis advances to half guard.
Lithoxoidis is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Lithoxoidis is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Larsen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Lithoxoidis .
Larsen is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Lithoxoidis thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Larsen's head.

Lithoxoidis wants to work for an arm triangle but Larsen is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Lithoxoidis is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Larsen is trying to stand up here but Lithoxoidis is controlling him well.

Lithoxoidis is working for a submission of some sort.
Larsen gets back to full guard.
Lithoxoidis will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lithoxoidis trying to control the position from guard on top but Larsen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Larsen wants to clinch.
Lithoxoidis tries for a takedown but Larsen circles away easily
and Larsen counters with a head kick.

Lithoxoidis tries to keep at a distance but Larsen has taken the fight into the clinch.
Larsen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Larsen gets control of Lithoxoidis 's arms and successfully pulls guard. Larsen will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Larsen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Lithoxoidis slips nicely into half guard.
Lithoxoidis is looking to take a break and control but Larsen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Lithoxoidis is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Lithoxoidis seems to be looking for submissions.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aris Lithoxoidis showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Larsen 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vinnie Larsen!