PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ralf Laakkonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Isac Newton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Newton has chosen Diablo - The Preacher as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Isac Newton is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Laakkonen
vs
Newton

185 cm
22
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Inexperienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ralf Laakkonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Isac Newton!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Sosuke Kotani and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Laakkonen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Newton as he avoids it easily.
Laakkonen fails with the takedown.
Newton with a poor takedown

and Laakkonen counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Laakkonen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Laakkonen trying to pass the guard but Newton defending well.
Newton looks gassed!
Laakkonen stalling.
Laakkonen uses his free foot to push down on Newton's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Newton.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Laakkonen lands a big elbow.

Laakkonen looking to secure an arm triangle but Newton defends it well.
Laakkonen wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Laakkonen has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Newton has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Laakkonen is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Newton is defending well though. Laakkonen let's go of the attempt for now.

Laakkonen is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Newton has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Laakkonen is persistently looking for the submission but Newton is defending it well.
Newton is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Laakkonen controlling the position well here. Newton rolled but Laakkonen kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Laakkonen lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Laakkonen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laakkonen lands shots from the back.

Newton is trying to defend against the choke here but Laakkonen has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. Laakkonen Tightens the hold and Newton taps out furiously! Laakkonen displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ralf Laakkonen!