PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bork Laser (ranked 3051 p4p, 4298 weight class) and Zach Richard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Laser
vs
Richard

189 cm
19
175
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
170
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bork Laser!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zach Richard!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shirou Masuda and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Richard leaves Laser with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Richard shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Laser is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Richard.
Richard throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Laser.

Richard has closed the distance and engaged Laser in a clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Laser fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Richard manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richard seems keen to control Laser's posture.
Laser wants to pass the guard but Richard is keeping the position.
Laser trying to control but Richard is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laser throws a strike but Richard rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Laser is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Laser has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Richard can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Richard gets to his feet - Laser follows without any prompting.
Richard shoots in but Laser avoids the takedown attempt easily.
It looked like Laser was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richard tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Laser swivels and escapes.
Bork Laser has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zach Richard.
Richard moves in looking to clinch but Laser pushes him off.

Richard bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Laser's face as Richard controls the position.
Richard works to advance to full mount. Laser defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

Richard working for a submission but Laser is keeping him at bay.

Richard working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Richard avoids the attempt from Laser to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Richard get's back to his feet.
Richard shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Laser pinned against the cage. Laser gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Laser tries to counter by clinching up but Richard breaks away and moves out of range.
Laser shoots in for a double leg but Richard sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Richard tries for a takedown but Laser circles away easily
and Laser counters with a series of strikes. Richard will be more careful next time no doubt.
Laser is breathing heavily.
Richard shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Laser sprawls well. Laser wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Richard gets slowly back to his feet.
Laser tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Richard manages to circle out of the way.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richard stuffs the takedown attempt from Laser. Laser gets slowly back to his feet.
Laser slaps away a takedown attempt from Richard, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Richard misses with an uppercut. Laser saw that one coming.
Laser tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Richard defends well and Laser ends up having to push Richard into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Laser misses with a knee strike.
Laser has had enough of the clinch but Richard keeps him there for the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Richard manages to pull guard.

Richard pushes Laser off and gets back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zach Richard dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Richard fails with a takedown attempt.

Laser shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Richard manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Richard pushes Laser off and gets back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laser slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Bork Laser is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Laser gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richard lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Laser backwards.
Richard is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Laser pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Richard lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Richard has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Richard escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A solid body kick from Richard.
Laser fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Laser shoots for a takedown but Richard saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Richard shoots for a double leg takedown but Laser sprawls well. He's pushed Richard's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Laser appears to be looking for a big counter.
Bork Laser has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zach Richard.

Richard drives through and clinches with Laser against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richard can't find room to land a body shot as Laser controls the action.
Laser is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Richard gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Richard manages to pull guard.
Richard is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Richard wants to sweep but no luck.
Richard has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Richard working for submissions but it's allowed Laser to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richard is trying is best to control the position here.
Richard moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Richard bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Laser's guard.

Laser looking to control.
Richard throws a big elbow that misses.
Richard is looking to work some ground and pound but Laser has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richard is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Laser looking to control.

Richard decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Richard shoots in for a takedown but Laser shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Richard closes the distance and clinches.
Richard stalling against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Richard is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Richard receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zach Richard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Richard shoots in for a takedown but Laser shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Richard gets a clinch.
Laser managing to block the knees to the body from Richard.
Laser wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Richard has him pressed against the cage.
Richard wants a takedown but no success here.
Laser prevents the takedown attempt.
Bork Laser has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zach Richard.
Richard is trying to pull guard but Laser has him pressed against the cage.

Laser breaks from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Richard. Laser does a little dance to reset his feet.
Laser tries to close the distance and clinch up but Richard swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Richard tries to clinch up.

Richard shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Laser manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laser is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Richard takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Laser is trying to hold Richard in close to prevent damage but Richard has managed to pass into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Laser is in trouble now - Richard has advanced to mount!
Laser is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Laser holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Richard tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

Richard looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laser is squirming around, avoiding Richard's attempts to control the action.
Richard throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Richard tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richard thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Laser tries to hold on but Richard pushes him away.
Laser is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Richard takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Laser has given up his back here.
Richard is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Richard tightening his grip on Laser, looking for the choke.

Laser preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Richard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zach Richard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Richard winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zach Richard!