PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Andy Pain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vincent LaCroix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pain has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Pain
vs
LaCroix

167 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

175 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Andy Pain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Vincent LaCroix!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shigeki Fujiwara and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
LaCroix thows a body kick. Pain tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Pain is breathing heavily.

LaCroix drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

LaCroix stands up.
LaCroix shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Pain as he avoids it easily.

LaCroix moves into range and clinches up with Pain.

LaCroix breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
LaCroix uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Pain has time to react.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

LaCroix scores a takedown into full mount!
LaCroix dominating with strikes here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LaCroix has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Pain's face.
LaCroix controlling his opponent.
LaCroix with shots to the head and body - Pain looks very uncomfortable down there.
LaCroix breaks from Pain's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LaCroix content just to control the position here.
LaCroix with good strikes from the mount here!
Pain is wriggling around trying to escape.
LaCroix controlling from the full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LaCroix putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
LaCroix content just to control the position here.
LaCroix lands a big shot there that rocks Pain but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
LaCroix connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
LaCroix looking to control and managing it successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
LaCroix dominating with strikes here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vincent LaCroix dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Pain tries for a takedown but LaCroix circles away easily

and LaCroix counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by LaCroix.
Pain is trying to drag LaCroix to the mat but LaCroix just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

LaCroix has hold of one of Pain's legs. Pain is fighting the takedown attempt but LaCroix gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Pain has a closed guard, preventing LaCroix from standing up.
Pain wants to stand up but LaCroix is controlling him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
LaCroix is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pain has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. LaCroix is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Pain.

LaCroix has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's two 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.
LaCroix fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Pain.
Andy Pain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
LaCroix scores with a three punch combo!

LaCroix clinches.

LaCroix turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and LaCroix manages to end up in side control.

LaCroix stands up.

Pain gets caught flat footed, as LaCroix shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
LaCroix 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LaCroix wants to control from the top but Pain keeps moving.
LaCroix wants to pass the guard but Pain is keeping the position.

LaCroix decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Pain misses with a takedown attempt
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andy Pain. That's going to take a lot out of him.

LaCroix closes the distance and pushes Pain back into the cage.

LaCroix breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
LaCroix connects with a right hand. Pain shakes it off.
Pain with a lazy takedown attempt
and LaCroix counters with a straight right hand.
Pain shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts LaCroix as he jumps to the side.
LaCroix with a poor takedown

so Pain counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
LaCroix pulls Pain in to control the position.

Pain avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Pain won't allow LaCroix to sweep him here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
LaCroix not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vincent LaCroix showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Pain drives through with a takedown into guard.

Pain drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and LaCroix dives on top into guard.
LaCroix controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

LaCroix thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
LaCroix must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Pain looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
LaCroix postures up in Pain's guard and throws a big left but Pain blocks it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pain looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
LaCroix lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Pain is trying to keep LaCroix in close.

LaCroix got a little sloppy there for a moment and Pain has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, LaCroix has managed to get both his arms back between Pain's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Pain trying to control the position.
LaCroix won't allow Pain to sweep him here.

Pain is looking for a triangle here but LaCroix uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Pain's face as LaCroix controls the position.
LaCroix working away.
LaCroix controls the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

LaCroix stands up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Pain takes a kick to the side of the head.

Pain shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Pain has control of LaCroix's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and LaCroix regains control of the situation pretty easily.
LaCroix is working to get back to half guard.

Pain jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but LaCroix manages to avoid the submission attempt.
LaCroix prevents Pain from moving into mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andy Pain showed his dominance in that final round.
Well LaCroix 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vincent LaCroix!