PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jean Michel Labonte (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hans Gruber (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Michel Labonte
vs
Gruber

185 cm
22
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
20
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Improved boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jean Michel Labonte!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Hans Gruber!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Robert Douchet and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Labonte fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Gruber. No joy for Labonte on that attempt.
A punch combination from Labonte misses.
Labonte misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gruber.
Gruber misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Labonte misses with a takedown attempt

and Gruber counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jean Michel Labonte. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Labonte manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Labonte avoids the attempt from Gruber to control.
BOOM! Labonte connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Gruber is wriggling around trying to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gruber is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gruber manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Labonte wants to pass the guard but Gruber is defending well.
Gruber controlling the position for now.
Gruber is trying to get back to full guard.
Labonte seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gruber does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Labonte thows a huge punch but Gruber dodges it nicely.
Labonte is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Labonte winds up and cracks Gruber with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Gruber is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Labonte sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gruber defending well though.
Labonte is pressing down on Gruber's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gruber is holding on for now.
Gruber is not content to let Labonte control the position.
Labonte performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Labonte 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.
Labonte works his way into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gruber tries to hold on but Labonte postures up.
Gruber is desperately trying to improve his position but Labonte has a good base and remains in mount.
Gruber looks gassed!
Labonte lands a big shot there that rocks Gruber but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Gruber is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Labonte tries to control but Gruber wriggling away.
Gruber tries to reverse the position but Labonte maintains control.
Gruber is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Gruber is squirming around, avoiding Labonte's attempts to control the action.
Gruber should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

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.
Labonte sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Jean Michel Labonte just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.

Gruber gets caught flat footed, as Labonte shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Labonte lands a couple of digs.
Gruber has a closed guard, preventing Labonte from standing up.
Labonte throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gruber works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Labonte stopping the sweep attempt from Gruber.
Labonte stays in close to Gruber's body and controls the position.
Gruber tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jean Michel Labonte dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Labonte throws a wild body kick that Gruber sees coming a mile off.

Gruber shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Labonte keeping moving, preventing Gruber from controlling successfully.
Gruber stands and throws Labonte's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Gruber working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Labonte is looking to regain half guard here but Gruber keeps moving and retains side control.
Gruber working the ground and pound from side control.

Gruber decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Labonte fails with the takedown

and Gruber counters with a shoot takedown. Labonte fights it but they end up in guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gruber wants to pass the guard but Labonte is keeping the position.
Gruber postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gruber trying to control the position from guard on top but Labonte is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gruber forces his way into half guard.
Gruber is keen to just control but Labonte is a slippery customer.
Gruber wants to free his trapped foot but Labonte is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Labonte wants to get back to full guard.
Gruber is tying to control. Labonte wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Labonte fails with the takedown

and Gruber counters with a single leg into guard. Labonte didn't expect that.
Gruber controls from within his opponent's guard.
Gruber trying to control the position from guard on top but Labonte is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gruber has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Labonte is proving hard to escape from.

Gruber stands up and waves to Labonte to follow him.
Labonte doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Gruber counters with a nice double leg into side control. Labonte won't be happy with that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jean Michel Labonte. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gruber controls the position.
Labonte is trying to control Gruber's posture but Gruber avoids it.
Gruber creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Labonte sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Gruber working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Gruber stalls from top position.
Labonte is trying to get back to half guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Labonte closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gruber circles away.
Labonte changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gruber tries to avoid it but Labonte manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gruber to the ground. Gruber escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Labonte looks for a takedown but Gruber sprawls well.

Gruber darts in and clinches Labonte up against the cage.
Labonte is looking to break free of the clinch but Gruber has double underhooks.

Labonte manages to break the clinch.
Jean Michel Labonte seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gruber tries to close the distance and clinch but Labonte swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gruber misses with a wild body shot.

Gruber feints and as Labonte raises his hands in defense, Gruber changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Labonte keeping moving, preventing Gruber from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gruber works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Gruber decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Labonte throws a head kick but Gruber moves out of range.
Labonte fails with the takedown

and Gruber counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Gruber.
Come on Gruber - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Gruber breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Labonte lands with a nice combination. Gruber backs away looking to recover.
Gruber shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Labonte as he jumps to the side.

Gruber bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Labonte is trying to get back to his feet.

Gruber has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gruber throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Labonte tries for a takedown but Gruber circles away easily
and Gruber counters with a flying knee. Nice.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hans Gruber showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Labonte's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

No joy there for Labonte, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Gruber decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Gruber looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Labonte is not content to let Gruber control the position.
Labonte is looking to control Gruber's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Labonte avoid being mounted?
Gruber content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Labonte wants to get back to full guard.
Gruber wants to free his trapped foot but Labonte is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Gruber takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Labonte is trying to control but can't.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Nice sprawl there from Gruber as Labonte shoots in.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Labonte shoots in for a double leg but Gruber sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Labonte rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Gruber connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Labonte with a poor takedown

and Gruber counters with a nice double leg into side control. Labonte won't be happy with that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jean Michel Labonte. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gruber working the body and head with strikes.
You can see the frustration on Labonte's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Labonte is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Gruber is controlling him well.
Labonte manages to get back to half guard.

Gruber seems to be working for a kimura but Labonte defends the submission attempt.
Labonte is controlling Gruber's position as best he can from this difficult position.

Gruber is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Labonte is just riding it out for now. Gruber eventually gives up the hold.
Gruber missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gruber stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Labonte to get to his feet.
Labonte falls off balance throwing a combination
and Gruber counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Gruber shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Labonte has control of Gruber's left arm, preventing Gruber from doing any damage.
Gruber content to stall in guard here.
Labonte trying to control the position.

Gruber stands and steps away. Labonte gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Gruber shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Labonte pinned against the cage. Labonte gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Jean Michel Labonte is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Labonte lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Labonte lands with a thumping leg kick.
Labonte stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Gruber.
Gruber shoots for a double leg takedown but Labonte sprawls well. He's pushed Gruber's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Gruber has closed the distance and engaged Labonte in a clinch.

Gruber pulls Labonte into guard.
Gruber is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Gruber has control of Labonte's left arm, preventing Labonte from doing any damage.
Gruber is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Labonte wants to control but Gruber is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gruber wants to pass the guard but Labonte is defending well.
Labonte is looking to control Gruber's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Labonte avoid being mounted?
Gruber tries to pass the half guard into mount. Labonte knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Labonte keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Labonte wants to improve his position but Gruber is controlling well.
Gruber controlling the action here.
Hans Gruber has got the better of the ground game so far.
Labonte is pressing down on Gruber's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gruber content to stall in guard here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hans Gruber comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gruber 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hans Gruber!