PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Atari Mason (ranked 6444 p4p, 4717 weight class) and Richard Laithwaite (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mason
vs
Laithwaite

190 cm
20
154
1 - 1 - 0

173 cm
25
151
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Atari Mason!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Richard Laithwaite!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Elvis Blanc and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Laithwaite rushes Mason and presses him up against the cage.
Mason tries to break the clinch but Laithwaite is controlling the position.
Mason cracks Laithwaite with a nice body shot.
Mason fails to pull guard.
Mason wants a takedown.
Laithwaite goes for a takedown attempt but Mason pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Laithwaite shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mason as he jumps to the side.
Laithwaite throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Laithwaite moves into range and clinches up with Mason.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mason scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Laithwaite tightens his grip and picks Mason up, before dumping him to the ground. Mason manages to land in guard.

Mason uses the cage to get back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice sprawl there from Laithwaite as Mason shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Atari Mason. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Laithwaite has managed to clinch.
Mason really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Laithwaite changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mason fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Mason avoids the head kick by Laithwaite.
Mason swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
A jab from Laithwaite misses.

Mason gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Laithwaite to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Mason keeping full guard, as Laithwaite tries to pass.
Mason keeping moving, preventing Laithwaite from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laithwaite controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Laithwaite wants to control from the top but Mason keeps moving.
Mason tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Laithwaite stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mason swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Laithwaite controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Laithwaite throws a series of strikes that have Mason backpedaling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Laithwaite looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mason shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Laithwaite as he avoids it easily.

Laithwaite moves into the clinch.
Mason displaying some good clinch control by pressing Laithwaite up against the cage.

Laithwaite decides to pull guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Laithwaite is on top in guard.

Mason has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Laithwaite has passed into side control.

Laithwaite tries for a kimura but Mason is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mason looking for a sweep but Laithwaite has passed into full mount! Oh no!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Laithwaite wants to take Mason's back but he can't do it this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Laithwaite jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Mason manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Laithwaite scores with a couple of short elbows.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Laithwaite dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Laithwaite takes the fight into the clinch.

Laithwaite breaks the clinch.

Laithwaite dives in and scores a takedown into Mason's guard.
Mason is wriggling around but Laithwaite manages to pass to half guard.

Mason wants to control but Laithwaite is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Mason wants to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laithwaite has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Laithwaite working for a guillotine from mount but Mason is in no mood to give up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laithwaite landing punches.

Laithwaite is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Mason has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Laithwaite is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Mason is surviving well by controlling Laithwaite's body position as best he can.
Mason tries to lock up and control but Laithwaite gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Mason is just holding on here. Laithwaite manages to take his back.
Mason trying to control but not successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mason trying to get back to his feet but Laithwaite is in full control for now.
A lull in the action here.
Mason looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Laithwaite is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Mason knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Mason for a finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Laithwaite is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Mason is defending well though. Laithwaite let's go of the attempt for now.
Laithwaite has the hooks in. Mason is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Laithwaite has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Laithwaite working for a choke but Mason is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Mason's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Laithwaite is punishing Mason with some ground and pound.

Laithwaite has managed to slip his arm under Mason's chin. This could be all over... yep, Mason is tapping out! Submission win for Laithwaite.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Richard Laithwaite!