PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shifiinity Powel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Elton Larouche (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Powel
vs
Larouche

173 cm
23
212 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

188 cm
22
220 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Shifiinity Powel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Elton Larouche!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Paulo Santos and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Larouche keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Larouche tries to clinch but Powel is having none of it.
Shifiinity Powel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Powel is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Larouche gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Powel is working for takedown but Larouche is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shifiinity Powel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Powel tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Larouche smiles and moves away.
Powel misses with a head kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Powel is defended easily by Larouche.

Larouche moves into the clinch.
Larouche misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Powel.
Powel tries to pull guard but Larouche holds him up against the cage and eventually Powel drops back down to his feet.
Powel tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Larouche throws an elbow that misses.
Larouche gets underhooks to prevent Powel's takedown attempt.
Larouche missing with knees to the body.
Larouche creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Powel's defenses.
Larouche tries to land knees in the clinch but Powel avoids the damage to the body.
Powel avoids a wild elbow strike from Larouche.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Powel tries to pull guard but Larouche holds him up against the cage and eventually Powel drops back down to his feet.
Larouche crunches a lovely knee into Powel's ribcage.
Powel is breathing heavily.
Powel dodges an elbow strike from Larouche.
Powel drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Larouche gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Larouche pushes off an throws an elbow but Powel leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Larouche lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Shifiinity Powel has been cut.
Larouche lands an elbow inside that Powel shrugs off.
Larouche lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Larouche landing knees to the body.
Larouche scores a nice knee 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!
Powel blocks the elbow strike.
Larouche lands a good knee to the midsection. Powel won't want to take too many of those.
Larouche looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Larouche lands a knee to the body.
Powel takes an elbow to the forehead.
Larouche lands a damaging elbow.
Larouche creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Powel's defenses.
Larouche lands an elbow just above Powel 's eye.
Larouche lands an elbow inside.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Larouche.

Shifiinity Powel's cut is getting worse.
Powel takes an elbow to the forehead.
Larouche lands an elbow just above Powel 's eye.
Larouche lands an elbow just above Powel 's eye.
Larouche gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Larouche lands a nice elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larouche connects with a nasty looking knee right to Powel's face.
Powel takes an elbow to the forehead.
Larouche scores a nice knee to the body.
Larouche lands an elbow just above Powel 's eye.
Larouche throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Powel can't get the takedown.
Larouche connects with a knee to the head.
Powel avoids the elbow strike from Larouche, against the cage.
Powel tries to pull guard but Larouche holds him up against the cage and eventually Powel drops back down to his feet.
Larouche lands an elbow inside that Powel shrugs off.

Shifiinity Powel's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Larouche crunches a lovely knee into Powel's ribcage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Larouche.
Powel takes an elbow to the temple.
Larouche lands a nice knee to the body.
Larouche lands a knee to the head.
Larouche lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Larouche lands an elbow that stopped Powel in his tracks for a moment.
Larouche lands an elbow that stopped Powel in his tracks for a moment.
Powel tries to pull guard but Larouche won't allow it.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Larouche obliges.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Larouche obliges.
Larouche creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Powel's defenses.
Larouche gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Powel drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Larouche gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larouche lands an elbow that stopped Powel in his tracks for a moment.
Powel takes a knee right on the jaw!
Powel fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Larouche lands an elbow inside that Powel shrugs off.
Powel fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Larouche lands a knee to the head.
Larouche throws an elbow that misses.
Powel avoiding damage as Larouche throws knees to the body.
Larouche lands an elbow inside.
Larouche misses with an elbow strike.
Larouche missing with knees to the body.
Larouche pushes off an throws an elbow but Powel leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Powel has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Larouche is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Powel has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Larouche avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Larouche lands an elbow inside that Powel shrugs off.
Larouche lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Larouche pushes off an throws an elbow but Powel leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Powel tries to pull guard but Larouche holds him up against the cage and eventually Powel drops back down to his feet.
Larouche lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Larouche creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Larouche using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Larouche unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larouche landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Larouche comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Larouche unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Larouche lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Powel tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Larouche just stands there and leans against the cage.
Larouche stops a takedown attempt from Powel.
Larouche crunches a lovely knee into Powel's ribcage.
Larouche landing knees to the head.
Powel takes an elbow to the temple.
Larouche landing knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Larouche.
Larouche connects with a nasty looking knee right to Powel's face.
Powel tries to pull guard but Larouche won't allow it.
Powel jumps guard but Larouche stands there with Powel around his waist. Powel gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Powel takes a knee to the side of the body.
Larouche lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Larouche putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Powel in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Powel fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Powel has Larouche pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Larouche manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Larouche lands an elbow inside that Powel shrugs off.
Powel tries to pull guard but Larouche won't allow it.
Larouche lands a nice knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elton Larouche dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Shifiinity Powel's cut.
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.

Larouche tries to close the distance and clinch but Powel swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Larouche defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Powel.
Powel misses with an uppercut.
Larouche fakes the leg kick and cracks Powel in the body.

Larouche moves into the clinch.
Elton Larouche seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Larouche working Powel over with knees to the body.
Larouche landing knees to the head.
Powel is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Larouche pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Larouche lands a nice elbow.
Larouche lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Larouche looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Larouche putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Powel in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Larouche comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Larouche with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Larouche lands a damaging elbow.
Nice elbow from Larouche.
Larouche lands an elbow just above Powel 's eye.
Larouche unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Powel takes a knee to the side of the body.
Larouche landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Larouche landing knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Larouche.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larouche lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Powel tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shifiinity Powel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Larouche lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Larouche lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Powel jumps guard but Larouche stands there with Powel around his waist. Powel gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Powel tries to pull guard but Larouche holds him up against the cage and eventually Powel drops back down to his feet.
Nice elbow from Larouche.
Powel wants a takedown but no success here.
A knee to the head by Larouche.
Powel jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Larouche walks away with a smile on his face. Powel gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Larouche throws a nice head kick!
A good leg kick by Larouche.
Larouche chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Powel tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Larouche swivels and escapes.

Larouche gets a clinch.
Larouche using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Powel has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Larouche tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Powel avoids it.

Powel has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Larouche uses from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Powel throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Powel tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Powel can't keep his opponent in guard - Larouche advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Powel wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Powel actively working from the bottom here.
Larouche wants to control but Powel is keeping him busy.
Larouche thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Larouche moves nicely into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larouche lands a few punches from side control.
Powel parries the strikes from Larouche easily there. Larouche is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Powel to escape.
Powel manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Larouche tries to get to full guard but Powel has control of the leg.
Larouche really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Powel. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Powel wants to free his trapped foot but Larouche is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Powel is keen to just control but Larouche is a slippery customer.
Larouche pushes Powel off looking to stand but Powel dives back in and keeps control.
Larouche has hold of Powel's hands but Powel slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's four 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.
Powel uses his free foot to push down on Larouche's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Larouche.

Powel jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Larouche is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Larouche and Powel has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Powel lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Larouche wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Powel advances to full mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Powel lands with some strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elton Larouche showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Shifiinity Powel's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Larouche. No joy for Powel on that attempt.
Powel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Larouche sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Powel is trying hard to land a takedown here. Larouche sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Larouche tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Powel paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Powel looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shifiinity Powel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Powel tries to score a power double leg takedown but Larouche sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Powel somewhat.
Larouche scores with a leg kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Larouche prevents a takedown attempt there.
Larouche gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Powel takes a knee to the side of the body.
Larouche landing knees to the body.
Larouche creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Powel's defenses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larouche scores a nice knee to the body.
Larouche connects with a nasty looking knee right to Powel's face.
Powel takes a knee to the side of the body.
Nice elbow from Larouche.
Powel takes an elbow to the temple.
Larouche misses with an elbow strike.
Larouche utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Larouche lands an elbow inside that Powel shrugs off.
Larouche crunches a lovely knee into Powel's ribcage.
Larouche looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Powel tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Larouche just stands there and leans against the cage.
Larouche lands an elbow inside.
Larouche crunches a lovely knee into Powel's ribcage.
Larouche lands an elbow inside.
Larouche landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Larouche connects with a knee to the head.
Larouche is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Powel wants a takedown.
Powel blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Powel tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Larouche lands an elbow that stopped Powel in his tracks for a moment.
Powel tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Larouche smiles and moves away.
Powel throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Powel fails to land the takedown.
Larouche keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Larouche looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Larouche fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Powel, pushing him back against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Powel blocks an elbow strike.
Larouche lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Larouche gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Powel.
Larouche unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Powel blocks an elbow strike.
Powel blocks the elbow strike.
Larouche unloads a knee to the mid-section. Powel lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Larouche unloads a knee to the mid-section. Powel lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larouche lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Larouche unloads a knee to the mid-section. Powel lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Larouche scores a nice knee to the body.
Powel tries for a takedown. No joy.
Larouche connects with a nasty looking knee right to Powel's face.
Powel changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Larouche fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Larouche gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Larouche gets underhooks to prevent Powel's takedown attempt.
Larouche using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Larouche working Powel over with knees to the body.
Powel dodges an elbow strike from Larouche.
Powel fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Larouche tries to land knees in the clinch but Powel avoids the damage to the body.
Larouche misses with an elbow over the top.
Larouche gets underhooks to prevent Powel's takedown attempt.
Larouche lands an elbow inside that Powel shrugs off.
Powel drops down looking for an ankle pick but Larouche pulls his leg out and moves away.
Larouche plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Powel looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Larouche moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Powel wants to pass the guard but Larouche is keeping the position.
Elton Larouche is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Powel stands up from Larouche's guard - Powel perhaps looking for a knockout.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Larouche keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Shifiinity Powel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A decent looking body kick lands there for Larouche.

And that's the end of the fight!
Elton Larouche comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Larouche 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 26:30
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 26:30
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Elton Larouche!