PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kit Latura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tong Van damm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Latura
vs
Van damm

194 cm
22
198 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

198 cm
22
200 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kit Latura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tong Van damm!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Robert Douchet and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Latura shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Latura showed some decent athleticism there.

Latura is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Van damm doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Latura.
Van damm is staying active underneath Latura, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Latura looks to land a strike but Van damm avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Latura postures up in Van damm's guard and throws a big left but Van damm blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Latura trying to control the position from guard on top but Van damm is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Latura 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.
Latura throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Van damm works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Latura looking to sit in guard and control but Van damm gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Van damm tries to stand but Latura is controlling from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Latura has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Van damm can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Latura looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Van damm chips away with some ground and pound.

Latura throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Van damm wants to stand and escape but instead Latura has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Latura trying to control but Van damm is working from the bottom.
Latura stands and throws Van damm's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van damm is trying to buck Latura off.
Latura throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Van damm dodges the ground and pound from Latura.

Latura is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Van damm is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Latura swings around for an armbar but Van damm sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Latura's guard.

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.
Van damm wants to stand but Latura is controlling his posture from full guard.

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

Latura is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Van damm defends well.
Van damm must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Van damm stopping the sweep attempt from Latura.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Van damm wants to stand but Latura is controlling his posture from full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kit Latura dominated that round.
That's time! Latura's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Van damm tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Latura is able to avoid easily.
Latura digs a good body shot into Van damm's ribs.
Van damm tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Latura bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Latura fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Latura fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Latura changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Van damm tries to avoid it but Latura manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Van damm to the ground. Van damm escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kit Latura. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Latura avoids the head kick by Van damm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van damm with a nice cross.
Latura throws a series of punches but Van damm avoids them all with ease.
Latura shoots in for a takedown but Van damm shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Latura shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Latura showed some decent athleticism there.
Latura stops Van damm from getting back to his feet.
Van damm is staying active underneath Latura, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Latura thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Latura missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Latura is working for a kimura but Van damm is defending it quite comfortably.

Latura seems to be looking for submissions.
Latura moves into full mount! Van damm won't be happy about that!
Van damm is squirming around, avoiding Latura's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van damm blocking the ground and pound.
Latura thowing shots but they're missing.

Latura jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Van damm is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Van damm and Latura has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Latura wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Van damm, who protects the arm well.

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.
Van damm is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Latura has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Latura tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Latura advances to full mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kit Latura dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Latura fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Van damm sprawls well initially but Latura persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Latura is looking to advance position but Van damm won't allow it.

Latura is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Van damm is just riding it out for now. Latura eventually gives up the hold.
Latura looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van damm regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Latura.
Van damm keeping moving, preventing Latura from controlling successfully.
Latura slips nicely into half guard.

Latura is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Latura trying to pass the guard but Van damm defending well.
Latura is keen to just control but Van damm is a slippery customer.
Latura looks to land a strike but Van damm avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Latura wants to control from the top but Van damm keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Latura postures up in Van damm's guard and throws a big left but Van damm blocks it.
Latura won't allow Van damm to get back to his feet.
Latura throwing strikes but missing.
Van damm can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Latura controls the pace.

Latura has gone for a leg lock! Van damm slips out almost immediately though and dives into Latura's guard.

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.
Latura 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.
Latura is working hard here to advance position.
Kit Latura is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Latura is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Latura wants to lay and pray for a moment but Van damm keeps working.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Latura passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Van damm!

And that's the end of the fight!
Kit Latura showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Latura, 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kit Latura!