PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between George Wood (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wilfred Laurier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for George Wood has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Wood
vs
Laurier

185 cm
24
216 lbs
10 - 0 - 0

190 cm
20
218 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

Win Nutritional

Rusty Cage Fightwear
EFC Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, George Wood!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Wilfred Laurier!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, William Peck and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wood throws a sloppy head kick and Laurier moves out of range easily.
Wood misses the jab.
A big left from Wood misses.

Laurier shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Wood manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Wood bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Laurier's guard.
Wood wants to stand but Laurier is controlling his posture from full guard.
Wood controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Wood postures up.
Wood trying to control the position from guard on top but Laurier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Laurier managing to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wood tries to stand but Laurier is controlling from the bottom.

Wood stands up and waves to Laurier to follow him.
Laurier lands a nice shot to the body.
Wood ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Laurier shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Wood's guard.
Laurier makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Laurier tries to free his leg and advance position but Wood is retaining full guard.
Wood not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Laurier trying to control but Wood is working from the bottom.
Wood tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wood manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Laurier manages to get himself to full guard.
Laurier working a defensive guard here.

Wood stands and steps away. Laurier gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
No joy there for Wood, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Laurier slips a straight right by Wood.
Wood throws an overhand right that lands on Laurier's shoulder, as Laurier tries to avoid the shot.
Wood looks to land a left hand but Laurier moved out of range nicely.
Laurier uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Wood misses with a body shot.
Wood tries to land a front kick but Laurier steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Wood swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A big left from Laurier misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Wood catches Laurier right on the button with a cross.
Laurier lands a nice looking body shot.
Wood takes one on the button.
Laurier swings for the body but Wood moves out of range.
Laurier fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Wood manages to avoid it.
Wood wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Laurier missing with a left hand there. Wood was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Laurier avoids a punch combination nicely.
Wood jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Wood throws a jab but it's blocked by Laurier.
Wood throws a series of punches but Laurier avoids them all with ease.
Wood slips a jab from Laurier.
Laurier staying out of range there.

Laurier changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Wood looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wood is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Laurier asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Wood struggling a bit here.
Laurier misses with the ground and pound.
Laurier wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wood keeps working.
Wood tries to buck Laurier off but Laurier is having none of it.
Laurier working the ground and pound.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Laurier tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Laurier has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Wood bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Wilfred Laurier will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Laurier defending well as Wood loads up on a big left hand.
Laurier shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Wood pinned against the cage. Wood gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Wood looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Wood bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Laurier's head backwards.
Wood looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A slow jab from Wood misses its intended target.
Laurier just misses with a punch to the body.
Wood works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
George Wood seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wood misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Laurier counters with a leg kick.
Laurier keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Wood loads up on a big right hand but Laurier slips the punch.
Wood misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Laurier misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wood avoids the body shot from Laurier.
The fighters circle momentarily. Wood darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Wood looks to score with a jab to the body but Laurier is just out of range.
Laurier uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Wood.
Laurier turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Wood swinging wilding here.
A lazy left from Laurier finds it's target.
Wood throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Laurier to counter with a crisp jab.
Laurier lands a nice hook to Wood's body. Wood takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Wood gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Wood looking to control.
Laurier missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Laurier missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laurier wants to pass the guard but Wood is keeping the position.
Wood wants to sweep but no luck.
Laurier missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Wood is looking to stand up but Laurier isn't so interested in that idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Laurier has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Wood finds it's way round the side to connect with Laurier's head.
Laurier keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Wood misses with a body kick.
Wood leaves Laurier with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wood bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Wood throws a leg kick but Laurier moved away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wood connects with a good right hand that stumbles Laurier. Laurier circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Laurier moves away from the strike by Wood.
A head kick by Wood misses

and Laurier counters with a nice double leg into side control. Wood won't be happy with that.
Laurier is working Wood over with some ground and pound from side control.
What's Wood going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.

Laurier tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Wood wants to get back to his feet but Laurier drags him back down.
The ground and pound from Laurier seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Wood regains half guard.
Wood wants to sweep but Laurier has passed to side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wood dodges the ground and pound from Laurier.
Wood avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Laurier.
Wood is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Laurier asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Wood is looking to regain half guard here but Laurier keeps moving and retains side control.
Laurier lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wood is looking for a sweep.
The strikes coming from Laurier are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Laurier working the ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wood struggling a bit here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wilfred Laurier 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.

Wood misses the body punch

and Laurier counters with a shoot takedown. Wood fights it but they end up in guard.
Laurier pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Wood is keeping the position for now.
Laurier must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Wood controls Laurier momentarily but Laurier frees himself.
Laurier stopping the sweep attempt from Wood.
Laurier stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wood swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Laurier thows a big elbow that misses.
Laurier looking to pass the guard.
Wood working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Laurier.
Laurier stops Wood from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Laurier throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Wood looks to land a left hand but Laurier moved out of range nicely.
Laurier takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Laurier drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Wood wants to stand and escape but Laurier is having none of it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wood bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Laurier's guard.

Laurier is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Wood is aware though and is defending well.
Wood postures up.
Laurier is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Wood trying to control the position from guard on top but Laurier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wood controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wood's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Wood wanted to stand there but Laurier had control of the position.
Laurier has his hands on Wood's head, controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wood is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Wood throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Wilfred Laurier has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wood wanted to stand there but Laurier had control of the position.
Wood's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Wood trying to control but Laurier is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Wood wants to get up but he can't break Laurier's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Laurier keeping moving, preventing Wood from controlling successfully.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Wood throws a left and a right that both miss
and Laurier counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Laurier defending well as Wood loads up on a big left hand.
Laurier misses with a hook. Wood ducked under it nicely.

Laurier is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Wood's half guard.
Laurier working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Laurier is looking to stall here but Wood recovers full guard.
Laurier won't allow Wood to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Laurier wants to control from the top but Wood keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wilfred Laurier really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Laurier tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Wood was well out of range. Poor timing from Laurier.
Wood tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wood misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Wood lands a nice looking body shot.
Wood pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Wood looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Wood lands with an uppercut that bounces Laurier off the cage and back into rage.
Wood misses with a looping left.
Wood uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Laurier.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wood staying out of range there.
Laurier misses with a wild body shot.
Wood misses with a double jab
and Laurier counters with a nice uppercut.
Wood throws a combination that misses

and Laurier counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Laurier.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wood wants to get back to his feet but Laurier is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Laurier lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Laurier looking to pass the guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Wood is on top in guard.
Laurier looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Wood gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Wood misses with a series of wild punches.
Wood looks to score with a jab to the body but Laurier is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Laurier misses.

Laurier shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Wood is trying to defend but Laurier finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Laurier thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Wood's head.
Laurier trying to pass the guard but Wood defending well.

Laurier is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Wood gets full guard.
Laurier pushes down on Wood's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Laurier is just content to waste time from the top position. Wood takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wood pushes Laurier off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Laurier looks to land a left hand but Wood moved out of range nicely.
Wood looks for the body kick but Laurier saw that one coming.
Wood misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Wood swings and misses with a shot to the body

so Laurier counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Wood manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Laurier can't escape the position.
Wood content just to control the position here.
Laurier is squirming around, avoiding Wood's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wood is really struggling to control Laurier but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Wood controlling the position easily from mount.
Wood tries to control but Laurier wriggling away.
Wood controlling the pace for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wilfred Laurier dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Wood tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Laurier was well out of range. Poor timing from Wood.
Laurier throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Wood stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Wood scores with a hook to the body. Laurier takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Wood throws a left and a right that both miss

so Laurier counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Wood bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Laurier's guard.
Wood looking to pass the guard.
Wood trying to stand up but can't free himself from Laurier's guard.
Laurier managing to control the position.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Laurier tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wood has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Laurier is proving hard to escape from.
Laurier is controlling Wood's posture.
Wood stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Laurier swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Wood's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Laurier managing to control the position.
Wood would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Laurier keeping moving, preventing Wood from controlling successfully.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Laurier holds on and takes a little breather.

Laurier looking for a guillotine here but Wood defends easily.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wood has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Laurier is proving hard to escape from.
Wilfred Laurier is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Laurier is trying to keep Wood in close.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Wood misses with a low kick.
Wood connects with a body shot.
Wood dips to his left and cracks Laurier with an uppercut!
Good exchange - Wood coming out on top.
Laurier misses the shot to the body.
Wood throws a head kick that misses
and Laurier counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Wood thinking.
George Wood has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laurier dives in and grabs Wood's left leg, looking for a takedown. Wood pushes down on Laurier's head and hops out.
Laurier pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Wood misses with a wild combination.
Wood tries a head kick but it misses.
An inside leg kick from Wood misses.
Jab by Wood.
Laurier bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Wood misses with a looping right.
Wood goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Wood looks to land a right hand but Laurier moved out of range.

Laurier drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Wood working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Laurier doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Laurier manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Wood keeping full guard, as Laurier tries to pass.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Wilfred Laurier.
I've got Laurier 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 45:50
Judge William Peck scores the fight 45:50
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wilfred Laurier!
Wilfred Laurier is the new light heavyweight champion!