PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jake Laden (ranked 3702 p4p, 24685 weight class) and Zachary Crawford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Laden
vs
Crawford

188 cm
20
145
0 - 2 - 0

183 cm
23
135
4 - 8 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Jake Laden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 8 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zachary Crawford!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Ackerman and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Crawford drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Laden tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Crawford wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Crawford is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Laden will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Laden tries to improve position but can't.
Crawford tries to stand but Laden is controlling his head.
Crawford working away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laden is trying to get back to half guard.
Crawford wants to lay and pray for a moment but Laden keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawford working the head with strikes.
Crawford is chipping away with strikes.
Crawford has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Crawford wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Laden, who protects the arm well.
Crawford is looking to take a break and control but Laden is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Laden being controlled for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laden's coaches at Cozad MMA London have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.

Crawford stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Crawford shoots in looking for a takedown. Laden tries to sprawl out of it but Crawford keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Laden manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A little feinted left hand from Laden on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laden tries to score a power double leg takedown but Crawford sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Laden somewhat.

Laden dives in and scores a takedown into Crawford's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Crawford seems keen to control Laden's posture.
Laden throws a strike but Crawford rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Laden is trying to control the position but Crawford postures up.
Laden being controlled here, momentarily.
Let's hope that Crawford has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crawford pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Laden is keeping the position for now.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Crawford working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Crawford missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Crawford is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Laden pulls Crawford in close to his closed guard and prevents Crawford from doing any damage or advancing position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zachary Crawford dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Laden closes this distance looking for a takedown but Crawford circles away.

Laden darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Laden slips a nice elbow through Crawford's hands, connecting with Crawford's forehead.
Crawford regains full guard. Nicely done.

Crawford pushes a forearm under Laden's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Laden is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:40 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Zachary Crawford!