PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Raylan Givens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Lakanik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Givens comes to the cage accompanied by The Defense. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Givens
vs
Lakanik

187 cm
22
195 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

191 cm
26
195 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Raylan Givens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Lakanik!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Dean Styles and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lakanik takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Lakanik throws a leg kick but Givens sees it coming and moves out of range.
Givens blocks a head kick by Lakanik.
Givens stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Lakanik.
Givens listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

Givens shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Lakanik's guard.
Lakanik will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Givens throwing strikes from guard but Lakanik blocks nicely.
Lakanik wants to get back to his feet but Givens is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Givens throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Givens missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Givens trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lakanik wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Givens advances position into side control!
Givens wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lakanik keeps working.
Lakanik tries to buck Givens off but Givens is having none of it.
Lakanik is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Givens is controlling him well.
Givens throws an elbow but Lakanik slips to the side and avoids it well.
Givens looks up at the clock and then as Lakanik takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Givens smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Lakanik tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Givens avoids the strikes from the bottom by Lakanik.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Givens.
Givens creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Lakanik sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Lakanik is looking to reverse the position.
Givens misses with the ground and pound.
Lakanik tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Givens wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Lakanik tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Givens. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Givens scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Givens is punishing Lakanik with some ground and pound.

Lakanik is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Givens gets his way!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Givens wants to control but Lakanik is keeping busy.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Givens.

Lakanik is in a bad position with Givens working for a choke. Lakanik manages to spin nicely into guard and the danger is over for the moment.

Givens is working an open guard so Lakanik takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Lakanik misses with a combination
and Givens makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Lakanik takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lakanik throws a head kick but Givens moves out of range.
Givens scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Givens misses with a jab to the body
and Lakanik connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lakanik throws a leg kick
and Givens counters with a leg kick.
Lakanik misses with a right hand
and Givens counters with a right hand to the body.
Lakanik swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lakanik throws a sloppy head kick
and Givens counters with a nice uppercut.
Givens scores with a hook to the body. Lakanik takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Lakanik shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Lakanik looks gassed!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lakanik throws a strike but Givens avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Givens had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lakanik defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lakanik throws a body kick that misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Givens.
Lakanik closes the distance looking to clinch
and Givens counters with a thumping low kick.
Lakanik closes the distance but Givens moves to the side
and Lakanik takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Givens moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Nice straight punches there by Givens. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Givens.
Lakanik throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice jab there from Lakanik.
Givens fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Lakanik tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Givens blocks a head kick by Lakanik.
Left hook, right uppercut from Lakanik.
Lakanik misses with a body punch
and Givens counters with a nice low kick that buckles Lakanik's knee momentarily.
John Lakanik is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lakanik is breathing heavily.
Lakanik looks to throw a body kick
and Givens counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Givens scores with a hook to the body. Lakanik takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Givens lands with a right hand.
Lakanik misses with an attempted mid kick.
Lakanik pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Givens lands a slapping body shot.
Givens misses with a body kick.
Givens misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lakanik.
Givens throws out a loose jab but Lakanik uses good head movement to avoid it.
Givens throws out a leg kick but Lakanik moves out of range and Givens only half commits.
Givens cracks Lakanik with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Lakanik misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lakanik throws an overhand right that lands on Givens's shoulder, as Givens tries to avoid the shot.
Lakanik explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Lakanik throws a push kick but Givens slaps the foot to one side.
Givens throws a body punch but Lakanik moves out of range.
Lakanik connects with a solid leg kick.
Givens checks the leg kick.
Givens lands with a shot to the body.
Lakanik misses with a head kick.
Lakanik throws a leg kick
and Givens counters with a low kick, right behind Lakanik 's knee.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Givens lands with an uppercut that bounces Lakanik off the cage and back into rage.
Givens lands a right hook to the body.
Lakanik wants to clinch
and Givens counters with a slapping leg kick.
Givens scores with a leg kick.
A jab lands there for Givens.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick by Lakanik misses

and Givens counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Givens sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Lakanik's guard.
Givens passes to full mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Givens with a couple of short strikes.
Givens is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Lakanik can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Lakanik in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

Givens working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Raylan Givens overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Givens wants to finish this one by submission but Lakanik is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Givens.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lakanik tries to lock up and control but Givens gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Givens lands a big shot there that rocks Lakanik but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Lakanik is working to get back to half guard.
BOOM! Givens connects with a massive shot to the dome!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lakanik sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Givens drops an elbow to the side of Lakanik's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raylan Givens dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Lakanik throws a leg kick that is checked
and Givens counters with an outside leg kick.
Givens checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Lakanik looks to clinch
and Givens counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Givens throws a jab when Lakanik was well out of range.
Lakanik throws a head kick that half lands.
Givens scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Lakanik throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lakanik misses with a leg kick
and Givens counters with a nice body shot.
Lakanik pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Givens misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lakanik.
Lakanik tries to clinch but Givens moves away
and Givens counters with a nice body shot.
Givens comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Givens takes a swing at Lakanik's ribcage but misses.
Lakanik takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Givens is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lakanik.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Lakanik.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Givens is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Givens slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Givens working for a triangle but Lakanik defends it easily.

Givens has his foot on Lakanik's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lakanik works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Givens has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lakanik can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Lakanik thows a big elbow that misses.
John Lakanik has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lakanik must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Lakanik throws a strike but Givens rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Givens drops back, looking for a kneebar! Lakanik looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Lakanik looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Lakanik!

Lakanik stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lakanik misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Raylan Givens is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lakanik wants to clinch
letting Givens counter with a right hand.
Givens scores with a nice head shot.
Lakanik throws a nice looking combination but Givens bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Givens throws a leg kick but Lakanik sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Givens tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lakanik was well out of range. Poor timing from Givens.
Lakanik fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Givens manages to avoid it.

Givens gets caught flat footed, as Lakanik shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lakanik got a little sloppy there for a moment and Givens has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lakanik has managed to get both his arms back between Givens's legs - danger averted.
Givens tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Givens is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Lakanik tries to stand but Givens is controlling from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Givens is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lakanik defends well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raylan Givens showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Givens has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raylan Givens!