PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Laurent Loughlin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Salvatore Assante (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Loughlin might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Metallica - Damage Inc.. The crowd seem to be enjoying Assante's choice of entrance music: Lose Yourself. Salvatore Assante is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Loughlin
vs
Assante

189 cm
25
212 lbs
10 - 0 - 0

185 cm
21
217 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 Las Vegas, Laurent Loughlin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Salvatore Assante!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Loughlin throws the kick towards the body but Assante avoids it.
Assante dips to his left and cracks Loughlin with an uppercut!
Loughlin throws a hook but Assante blocks it.
Assante swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Assante defending well as Loughlin loads up on a big left hand.
Loughlin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Assante.
Loughlin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Assante moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Assante pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A big right from Assante misses.
Loughlin throws a combination that misses
and Assante makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Assante is looking to clinch.
Assante moves in looking to clinch but Loughlin pushes him off.
Assante looks to score with a jab to the body but Loughlin is just out of range.
Loughlin tries to land a front kick but Assante steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Loughlin takes a swing at Assante's ribcage but misses.
A lazy body kick from Loughlin
and Assante counters with a left and a right that stings Loughlin.
Assante doesn't manage to clinch there - Loughlin circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Loughlin swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Assante counters with a nice body kick.
Assante throws a head kick that misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Assante.
Assante misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Loughlin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Assante was well out of range. Poor timing from Loughlin.
Assante uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Loughlin.

Assante moves into the clinch successfully.
Loughlin wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Assante has him pressed against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Assante.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Assante as Loughlin tries to tie him up.
Assante misses with a hook from the clinch.
Assante can't find room to land a body shot as Loughlin controls the action.
Loughlin is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Assante lands a body punch.
Assante lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Assante keeps control of Loughlin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Assante lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Loughlin backwards.
Assante misses with the head strike.
A hook to the body from Assante.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Assante misses with a hook from the clinch.

Loughlin manages to break the clinch.
A lazy left from Assante finds it's target.
Assante throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Loughlin is breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Assante lands a slapping body shot.

Assante closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A body shot lands from Assante.
Loughlin blocks a body shot from Assante.
A short uppercut from Assante.
Loughlin can't break the clinch.
Assante throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A shot in the inside from Assante.
Assante lands a right hand.
A shot in the inside from Assante.
Assante lands an uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Assante as the two fighters clinch.
Assante digs a right hand underneath Loughlin's ribcage. Loughlin let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A short body shot lands from Assante as the two fighters clinch.
Assante scores with a shoulder strike.
Assante lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Assante.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Assante lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Loughlin.
A right hook to the body lands for Assante.
Assante scores with a shoulder strike.
Assante lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Loughlin or not.
Assante pushes Loughlin back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Assante lands a body shot in the clinch.
Assante lands a right hand.
Assante stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Assante.
Assante gets through Loughlin's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Assante lands a right hand that snaps the head of Loughlin backwards.
Assante lands a body punch in the clinch.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Assante has a couple of punches blocked by Loughlin.
A short uppercut from Assante.
Assante lands with a right to the head.
Assante is working Loughlin over against the cage.
Assante lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Loughlin or not.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Assante.
Assante lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Loughlin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Assante works on Loughlin's body with a couple of short punches.
Assante lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Assante as the two fighters clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Assante lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Loughlin.
Assante is leaning against Loughlin and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Assante can't find room to land a body shot as Loughlin controls the action.
Assante pushes Loughlin back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Assante scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Assante lands a left hand.
Assante presses Loughlin against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A short body shot lands from Assante as the two fighters clinch.
Assante pushes Loughlin back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Assante lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Assante lands a shot to the body.
Assante lands an uppercut.
A body shot lands from Assante.
Assante struggles to land a body shot inside as Loughlin controls his hands.
Assante misses with a hook from the clinch.
Loughlin blocks an uppercut.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A left hand lands to the body for Assante.
Assante lands a body punch.
Assante lands a shot to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Assante.
Assante goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Salvatore Assante dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Assante with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Assante connects with a body shot.
Assante lands with a kick to the temple. Loughlin shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Assante has taken the fight to the clinch.
Assante lands a body punch.
A short left from Assante.
Loughlin blocks an uppercut.
Assante pushes Loughlin back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Loughlin has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Assante misses with a short punch on the inside.
Assante presses Loughlin against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Assante stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Loughlin blocks a body shot from Assante.
A right hand to the body from Assante.
Assante digs a right hand underneath Loughlin's ribcage. Loughlin let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice body punch from Assante - that landed with a thud.
A nice left hand lands by Assante.
A hook to the body from Assante.
Assante lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Loughlin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Assante.
Assante digs a right hand into Loughlin's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Loughlin's gas tank.
Assante misses with a punch on the inside.
Assante throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Assante scores with a hook to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Assante.
Loughlin's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Assante makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Assante presses Loughlin against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Nice body punch from Assante - that landed with a thud.
Assante lands with a left to the head.
Assante pushes Loughlin back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Assante.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Assante creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A left hand lands to the body for Assante.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Good body shot from Assante.
Assante stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Assante makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Assante pushes Loughlin back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Assante.
Assante softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Assante lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Assante struggles to land a body shot inside as Loughlin controls his hands.
Assante misses with a body punch.
Assante lands a hook that snaps the head of Loughlin backwards.
Assante lands a nice shot to the body.
A body shot lands from Assante.
Assante lands a shoulder strike.
Assante misses with a hook from the clinch.
Assante misses with a hook from the clinch.
Assante lands a body shot in the clinch.
Assante lands a left hand that snaps the head of Loughlin backwards.
Assante lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Assante digs a right hand underneath Loughlin's ribcage. Loughlin let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A nice right hand lands inside from Assante.
Assante lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Assante lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Loughlin.
Assante cracks Loughlin with a nice body shot.
Assante scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A body shot lands from Assante.
Assante working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Assante lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Loughlin or not.
Assante working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Assante.
Assante lands a body punch.
Good body shot from Assante.
Assante lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Assante lands a left hand that snaps the head of Loughlin backwards.
Salvatore Assante seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Assante scores with a hook to the body.
Assante lands a body punch in the clinch.
Assante lands with a left to the head.
A short right from Assante on the inside.
A right hook to the body lands for Assante.
Assante scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Assante lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Loughlin or not.
Assante is leaning against Loughlin and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Assante lands a body shot in the clinch.
Assante lands a shot to the body.
Assante lands a body punch in the clinch.
Assante cracks Loughlin with a nice body shot.
Assante digs a right hand underneath Loughlin's ribcage. Loughlin let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Assante lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Assante lands a body punch in the clinch.
Assante lands with a light punch inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Assante lands a right hand.
Assante is working Loughlin over against the cage.
Loughlin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Assante - that landed with a thud.
Assante lands a body shot.
Assante lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Loughlin.
Assante tries a body shot but Loughlin blocks it.
Assante misses with a punch to the body.
Loughlin blocking some punches.
Assante swings wildly with an uppercut but Loughlin uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Loughlin.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Assante.
Good body shot from Assante.
Assante lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Assante swings wildly with an uppercut but Loughlin uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A body shot lands from Assante.
A shot in the inside from Assante.
Assante working aggressively here.
Assante keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Loughlin's efforts to push away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Salvatore Assante showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Assante throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Assante throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Assante lands with a nice body kick.
Assante swinging wildly here.
Assante with a hook.
Assante uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Loughlin.
Assante displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Loughlin throws out the jab.
Salvatore Assante seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A big left from Loughlin misses.
Loughlin misses with the combination.
Loughlin throws a sloppy head kick and Assante moves out of range easily.
Loughlin blocks a head kick by Assante.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Assante is looking to clinch.
Loughlin scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Assante throws the kick towards the body but Loughlin avoids it.
Laurent Loughlin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Assante misses with a low kick.
Assante digs a good body shot into Loughlin's ribs.
Assante misses with the combination.
Assante throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Loughlin stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Assante blocks a jab.
Assante moves out of range as Loughlin throws a body kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Assante. Loughlin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Loughlin throws a body kick the misses
and Assante counters with a head kick.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Assante in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Assante moves out of range as Loughlin throws a body kick.
Loughlin misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick from Assante lands but Loughlin takes it in his stride.
Loughlin throws a combination that misses
and Assante cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Assante takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Assante throws a head kick that misses.
Assante showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Loughlin.
Assante with a nice cross.
Loughlin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Loughlin lands an overhand right.
Assante fails with an attempt to clinch.
Assante ducks under a wild hook from Loughlin.
Loughlin throws the kick towards the body but Assante avoids it.
Assante misses with a low kick.

Assante pushes Loughlin up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Loughlin blocks a body shot from Assante.
Assante lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Assante has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Loughlin.
Assante tries to work over Loughlin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Assante tries to throw a body punch but Loughlin avoids it by throwing Assante back against the cage.
Assante lands with a right to the head.
Assante throws a punch but it's blocked by Loughlin.
Assante lands a left hand.
Assante throws a head punch that misses.
Assante has Loughlin pressed against the cage, preventing Loughlin from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Loughlin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A slapping body kick lands there for Assante.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Assante tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Assante takes a swing at Loughlin's ribcage but misses.
Loughlin throws a half hearted mid kick.
Assante fails in his attempt to clinch.
Loughlin throws a jab when Assante was well out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Loughlin misses with a kick to the body
and Assante counters with a good low kick that Loughlin was not able to check.
Loughlin thows a body shot but no joy.
Nice shot by Loughlin.
Assante wants to clinch up but Loughlin keeps it at a distance.
Assante tries to clinch up but Loughlin circles away and keeps his distance.
Loughlin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Assante moves away.
Loughlin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Assante sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Assante lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Loughlin throws a body kick the misses
and Assante counters with a slapping leg kick.
Assante throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Laurent Loughlin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Assante turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Assante throws a quick inside leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Loughlin misses with the body kick
and Assante counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Assante scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Salvatore Assante really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Loughlin misses with a looping right.
Assante scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Assante throws a body kick that misses.
Assante gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Loughlin.
Assante blocks a head kick by Loughlin.
Loughlin throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Assante counters with a head kick. That will keep Loughlin thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Assante throws a nice outside leg kick.
Assante lands a nice looking kick to the body. Loughlin takes a step back to recover.
A jab from Loughlin misses.
Assante fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Loughlin.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Loughlin throws the left hand but Assante avoids the punch easily.
Assante lands a head kick!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Assante tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Assante's corner calls for a 1-2. Assante obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Loughlin is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Loughlin stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Assante.
Assante throws a head kick but Loughlin moves out of range.
Loughlin misses with a double jab

and Assante counters by clinching up.
Loughlin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Assante tries to throw a body punch but Loughlin avoids it by throwing Assante back against the cage.
Assante lands a shot to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Assante.
Assante misses with a short punch on the inside.
Assante throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Loughlins head.
Loughlin has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A body shot lands from Assante.
Assante stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Assante keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Loughlin's efforts to push away.
Assante lands a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Assante lands a body punch in the clinch.
Assante scores with a hook to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A nice left hand lands by Assante.
Assante lands a nice shot to the body.
Assante lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Loughlin.
Assante lands a left hand.
Assante misses with a body punch.
Assante works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Assante lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Assante scores with a hook to the body.
Assante lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Loughlin or not.
Assante digs a right hand underneath Loughlin's ribcage. Loughlin let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Assante struggles to land a body shot inside as Loughlin controls his hands.
Assante struggles to land a body shot inside as Loughlin controls his hands.
Assante throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Loughlins head.
A head punch on the inside from Assante fails to land.
Assante tries to work over Loughlin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nice body punch from Assante - that landed with a thud.
A nice left hand lands by Assante.
A short left from Assante.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Assante doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Assante lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Loughlin wants to break the clinch but can't.
Assante misses with a body punch.
Assante cracks Loughlin with a nice body shot.
Assante lands a body shot.
Loughlin wants to break free but Assante has control.
Assante pushes Loughlin back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Assante is leaning against Loughlin and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Assante working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Assante pushes Loughlin back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Loughlin blocks a body shot from Assante.
Assante struggles to land a body shot inside as Loughlin controls his hands.
Assante working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Assante lands a body shot in the clinch.
Assante scores with a nice hook to the head.
Assante gets through Loughlin's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Assante lands a shoulder strike.
Loughlin has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A right hand to the body from Assante.
A short right from Assante on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Assante scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A body shot lands from Assante.
Assante tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Assante cracks Loughlin with a nice body shot.
Assante stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A short right from Assante.
A short left from Assante.
Assante lands a body punch.
Loughlin tries to break the clinch but Assante is controlling the position.
Assante lands a shot to the body.
Assante lands a body shot in the clinch.
Loughlin blocking some punches.
Assante lands a nice shot to the body.
Assante lands a body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Assante stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Assante cracks Loughlin with a nice body shot.
Loughlin blocks a body shot from Assante.
Assante lands a body shot in the clinch.
A short right from Assante.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Salvatore Assante 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!

Loughlin moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Assante throws a wild body kick that Loughlin sees coming a mile off.
Loughlin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Loughlin pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Assante connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Loughlin momentarily.
Assante looks to score with a jab to the body but Loughlin is just out of range.
Loughlin takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Assante throws a sloppy head kick and Loughlin moves out of range easily.
Loughlin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Assante tries a head kick but it misses.
Loughlin throws a lazy body kick
and Assante counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Loughlin is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Assante is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Loughlin swinging wildly here.
Loughlin looks to score with a jab to the body but Assante is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Loughlin throws a jab but it's blocked by Assante.
Loughlin will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Assante tries to clinch but Loughlin is having none of it.
Loughlin takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Loughlin keeps the fight on the outside.

Assante clinches with his opponent.
A short body shot lands from Assante as the two fighters clinch.
Assante lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Loughlin.
Assante lands a hook to the side of the head.
Assante tries a body shot but Loughlin blocks it.
Assante goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Assante works on Loughlin's body with a couple of short punches.
Assante scores with a shot to the side of Loughlin's head.
Assante can't find room to land a body shot as Loughlin controls the action.
Loughlin prevents a body shot from Assante.
Assante tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch on the inside from Assante fails to land.
Loughlin is looking to control Assante's arms but Assante gets an underhook and turns him. Now Loughlin has his back to the cage.
Laurent Loughlin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Loughlin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Assante gets through Loughlin's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Assante lands with a left to the head.
Assante lands with a left to the head.
Assante works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Assante works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Assante is leaning against Loughlin and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Assante tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A right handed body shot lands from Assante.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Assante lands a body shot in the clinch.
A hook to the body from Assante.
A head punch on the inside from Assante fails to land.
A head punch on the inside from Assante fails to land.
Assante swings wildly with an uppercut but Loughlin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Loughlin is trying to break the clinch but Assante is controlling him.
Assante lands with a light punch inside.
Salvatore Assante is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Assante swings wildly with an uppercut but Loughlin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Assante lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Loughlin is trying to maintain a safe position but Assante gets an underhook and turns Loughlin into the cage.
Assante digs a right hand into Loughlin's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Loughlin's gas tank.
Assante keeps control of Loughlin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Assante works on Loughlin's body with a couple of short punches.
Loughlin is looking to break free of the clinch but Assante has double underhooks.
Assante lands a left hand.
Assante lands a nice shot to the body.
Assante pushes Loughlin back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A right hand to the body from Assante.
Assante lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Assante blocks a body shot from Loughlin.

Loughlin breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Assante closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Loughlin tries to circle away but Assante has him pinned against the cage.
Assante misses with a punch to the body.
Assante works on Loughlin's body with a couple of short punches.
Assante lands an uppercut.
Loughlin has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Loughlin tries to break free but Assante pushes him back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Loughlin.
Loughlin wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Loughlin wants to break the clinch but can't.
A head punch on the inside from Loughlin fails to land.
Assante misses with a hook from the clinch.
Assante fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Assante stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Loughlin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

And that's the end of the fight!
Salvatore Assante comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Assante has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 42:50
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 42:50
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 42:50

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