PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sasha Lakovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Herzog (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Herzog has chosen Battlestar Scralatchtica as his entrance music. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Lakovic
vs
Herzog

189 cm
23
181 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

175 cm
25
172 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Explosion Dominance Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sasha Lakovic!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Chris Herzog!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Edson Gomes and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lakovic throws the left hand but Herzog avoids the punch easily.
Herzog dives in and grabs Lakovic's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lakovic pushes down on Herzog's head and hops out.
Herzog stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Lakovic.
Nice shot by Lakovic.
Herzog shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Herzog misses with an uppercut.
Herzog on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Lakovic. Lakovic obviously looking to wear him down.
A big left from Herzog misses.
Herzog takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Lakovic scores with a body shot.
Lakovic scores with a body shot.
Lakovic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The fighters circling - Herzog throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lakovic throws an overhand right that lands on Herzog's shoulder, as Herzog tries to avoid the shot.
Lakovic lands a high kick!
Herzog swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lakovic lands a jab to Herzog's midsection.

Lakovic gets caught flat footed, as Herzog shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lakovic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Herzog trying to control the position from guard on top but Lakovic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lakovic pulls Herzog in close to prevent any damage.
Herzog slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Lakovic wants to sweep but no luck.

Herzog is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lakovic is on top in guard.
Lakovic trying to control the position from guard on top but Herzog is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Herzog keeping full guard, as Lakovic tries to pass.

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.

Lakovic is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Herzog is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Herzog has escaped and now he's on top!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Herzog not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Herzog lands a couple of elbows.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lakovic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Herzog is one step ahead there.
Lakovic is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lakovic will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Lakovic pulls Herzog in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Herzog drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Lakovic manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Herzog has Lakovic in his guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Herzog is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lakovic defends well.
Lakovic looking to sit in guard and control but Herzog gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Lakovic manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Lakovic can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Herzog is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lakovic is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Herzog can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Herzog is looking to improve his position but Lakovic isn't that keen on the idea.
Herzog is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Herzog sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Herzog is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sasha Lakovic will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Lakovic scores with a head kick.
Lakovic connects with the punch.
Lakovic misses with a straight right.
Herzog needs to keep his hands up - Lakovic had a free shot at his head there.
Lakovic doesn't manage to clinch there - Herzog circles away.
The crowd cheers as Lakovic lands an impressive looking overhand right. Herzog doesn't seem phased though.
Herzog walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Lakovic is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Lakovic uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Herzog.
Lakovic wants to clinch up but Herzog keeps it at a distance.
A combination from Herzog does no damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Herzog throws a looping overhand right but Lakovic ducks down to avoid it.
A big left from Lakovic misses.
Herzog misses with a straight left.
Lakovic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Herzog moves away.
Lakovic misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lakovic blocks a jab.
Herzog shoots in but no luck this time.
Lakovic tries to close the distance and clinch up but Herzog swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Herzog has a takedown stuffed.
Lakovic scores with a leg kick.
Lakovic looks to score with a jab to the body but Herzog is just out of range.
Sasha Lakovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Herzog needs to keep his hands up - Lakovic had a free shot at his head there.
Herzog closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Lakovic, right into the meat.
Lakovic misses with a kick to the body.
Herzog shoots for a double leg takedown but Lakovic sprawls well. He's pushed Herzog's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sasha Lakovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Herzog.
Herzog throws out a powerful jab.
Herzog circles away from the clinch attempt.
Herzog throws a shot from downtown. Lakovic moves away and avoids it.
Lakovic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Lakovic.
Herzog missing with a left hand there. Lakovic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lakovic connects with a right hand. Herzog shakes it off.
Herzog scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
A thudding body kick lands there by Lakovic!
Herzog fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Lakovic tries to clinch but Herzog is having none of it.
Lakovic lets loose with a powerful body kick. Herzog will feel that in the morning.
Herzog takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Lakovic pushes Herzog up against the cage in a clinch.
Herzog jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Lakovic walks away with a smile on his face. Herzog gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Lakovic misses with a hook. Herzog ducked under it nicely.
Herzog displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lakovic throws out the jab.
Nice uppercut lands for Herzog. That snapped Lakovic's head back.
Lakovic connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lakovic stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lakovic wants it to stay on the feet.
Lakovic misses with a wild body shot.
Herzog slips under a jab from Lakovic.
Lakovic scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Lakovic looks to land a combination. Herzog sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Lakovic goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Herzog takes a kick to the side of the head.
Lakovic fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Herzog looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Lakovic is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Lakovic scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Lakovic misses with a hook.
Herzog connects with the punch.
Lakovic scores with a nice body kick.
Herzog shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lakovic but Lakovic pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A head kick misses from Lakovic.
Lakovic throws a shot from downtown. Herzog moves away and avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lakovic slips under a jab.
Herzog tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Lakovic misses with a straight right.
A lazy left from Lakovic finds it's target.
Lakovic scores with a hook.
Lakovic lands with a thumping leg kick.
Lakovic tries a head kick but it misses.
Herzog uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lakovic.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Lakovic. Herzog shrugs it off though.
Lakovic feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Herzog's calf.
Herzog lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Lakovic swinging wildly here.
Lakovic looks to throw the jab but Herzog is out of range.

Herzog shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Lakovic manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sasha Lakovic dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Lakovic waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Herzog.
Lakovic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Lakovic scores with a punch to the head.
Lakovic shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Herzog uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lakovic.
Lakovic fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Herzog checks the leg kick nicely there.
Lakovic dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Herzog. That did some damage!

Herzog fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Lakovic sprawls well initially but Herzog persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Lakovic is pressing down on Herzog's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Herzog won't allow Lakovic to sweep him here.
Lakovic is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herzog won't allow Lakovic to sweep him here.
Herzog seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Lakovic looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Herzog puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Herzog is pressing down on Lakovic's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lakovic is holding on for now.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Lakovic throws a jab but it's blocked by Herzog.
Herzog slips under a jab.
Herzog avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Herzog's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Lakovic feints and then cracks Herzog's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Herzog down.
Lakovic throws a front kick aimed at Herzog's knee but Herzog avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Herzog looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Herzog uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lakovic.
Lakovic throws a head kick that Herzog semi-blocks.
Sasha Lakovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Good leg kick by Lakovic there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Herzog looks to land a left hand but Lakovic moved out of range nicely.
Lakovic fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Herzog looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Lakovic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sasha Lakovic is winning the standup battle so far.
Lakovic throws a hook but Herzog blocks it.
Lakovic lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Sasha Lakovic is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lakovic tries to close the distance and clinch but Herzog swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Herzog throws the left hand but Lakovic avoids the punch easily.
Herzog bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Lakovic's head.
Lakovic lands a nice leg kick that just misses Herzog's sensitive parts.
Herzog dives in and grabs Lakovic's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lakovic pushes down on Herzog's head and hops out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lakovic tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Herzog was well out of range. Poor timing from Lakovic.
Lakovic moves in looking to clinch but Herzog pushes him off.
Lakovic throws the left hand but Herzog avoids the punch easily.
A jab from Herzog misses.
Herzog swats away the attempt to clinch by Lakovic.
Herzog might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Lakovic misses with a body kick.
Lakovic turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Lakovic tries to clinch up but Herzog circles away and keeps his distance.
Lakovic lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Herzog fails with the takedown.
Sasha Lakovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Herzog.
A jab from Lakovic misses.
Lakovic with a nice cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Lakovic misses with a wild body shot.
Lakovic thuds a left hand into Herzog's body.
Lakovic dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Herzog blocks a jab.
Herzog ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Lakovic lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Lakovic cracks Herzog with an open hand slap.
Lakovic lands a head kick!
A left lands for Lakovic.
Lakovic takes a swing at Herzog's ribcage but misses.
Herzog takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Lakovic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice uppercut there from Herzog.
Chris Herzog has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lakovic cracks Herzog with an open hand slap.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Sasha Lakovic.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Lakovic, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:28
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sasha Lakovic!
Sasha Lakovic retains his welterweight title!