PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mason Panama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Launston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Panama
vs
Launston

187 cm
25
180 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

185 cm
27
170 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mason Panama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, David Launston!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, John Mangel and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Panama slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Panama defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Launston.
Panama scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Launston dives in and grabs Panama's left leg, looking for a takedown. Panama pushes down on Launston's head and hops out.
Launston displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Panama throws out the jab.
Nice shot lands for Panama.

It looks like David Launston has been cut.
Panama throws a lazy uppercut

and Launston counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Launston is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Panama trying to control but Launston postures up.
Panama avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Launston.
Launston has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Launston is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Panama working to try and regain half guard.
Launston avoids the attempt from Panama to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Panama really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Panama throwing hammer fists to the chest of Launston. What's that going to do exactly?
Launston wants to control the pace but Panama is squirming around nicely.
Launston avoids the attempt from Panama to control.
Launston with the ground and pound from mount.
Panama wants to control but Launston is having none of it.

Launston is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Panama is surviving well by controlling Launston's body position as best he can.

Launston is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Panama to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Panama shrugs it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Panama flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Panama wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Launston.
Launston looking to control but Panama is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Panama looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Launston is hanging on to Panama's back as he tries to escape.

Panama fending off the submission attempt from Launston.
Panama tries to escape the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Launston is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Panama defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panama tries to roll but Launston sticks to his back.

Launston working for a choke but Panama is defending well.
Launston is not going to allow Panama to sit and survive in this position.
Panama is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Launston is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Launston keeps control of the position as Panama tries to break free.
Panama just trying to survive but Launston is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Launston tightening his grip on Panama, looking for the choke.
Panama trying to control the position but Launston manages to sink in the hooks.

Panama defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Launston's arms.
Panama takes a big shot to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
You can see the frustration on Panama's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Panama looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Panama is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Launston dominated that round.
The cut man is working on David Launston's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Panama lands with a right hand.
Launston tries to move into range but Panama moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Panama throws a right hand that misses

and Launston counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Launston is controlling the pace.
Panama tries to roll over but Launston keeps him under control.
Launston is thwarting Panama's attempts to control the position.
Panama knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Launston on the ground.
David Launston has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Launston throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Launston prevents Panama from improving his position.
Launston passes to side control.
Panama wants to control but Launston postures up.
Panama is trying to buck Launston off.
Panama is trying to control Launston's posture but Launston avoids it.
A lull in the action here as Launston stalls from top position.

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.
Panama is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Launston working the ground and pound.
Launston trying to control the position but Panama is working away.
Panama tries to improve position but can't.
Panama is trying to buck Launston off.
Panama is trying to control Launston's posture but Launston avoids it.
Launston trying to control the position but Panama is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Launston is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Panama knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Launston is looking to take a break and control but Panama is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Panama is trying to control Launston's posture but Launston avoids it.

Launston is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Panama has escaped the position, nice work there.
Panama can't do much from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Launston avoids the strikes from the bottom by Panama.
Panama is looking to regain half guard here but Launston keeps moving and retains side control.
Panama is working hard here to advance position.
Launston wants to control but Panama is keeping him busy.
Panama has one of Launston's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
Panama misses with a strike from the bottom.
Launston working away.
Launston misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Launston showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on David Launston's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Panama looks to land a left hand but Launston moved out of range nicely.
Panama lands a lovely overhand right.
Panama throws a looping overhand right but Launston ducks down to avoid it.
Launston takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Panama lands a jab.
Launston has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Panama finds it's way round the side to connect with Launston's head.
Panama lands a nice looking body shot.
Panama is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Launston shoots in for a takedown but Panama shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Panama lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Launston takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Panama scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Panama connects with a crisp jab.
Panama moves into range and connects with a jab.
A combination from Panama does no damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Panama with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Panama throws a shot to the body.
Launston blocks a jab.
Launston tries to move into range but Panama moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Launston takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Panama takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Launston.
Panama works Launston's body with a nice hook.
Panama looks to land a combination but Launston avoids it well.
Panama getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Panama scores with a punch to the head.
Launston fails with a takedown attempt.
Mason Panama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of David Launston.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Launston takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Panama looks to throw the jab but Launston is out of range.
Panama misses with a hook.
Launston shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Panama but Panama pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mason Panama is winning the standup battle so far.
Panama lands a nice shot to the body.
Panama jabs at Launston's body.
Panama misses with a two punch combination.
Mason Panama is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Panama connects with a single shot there.
Launston takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Panama lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Panama.
Launston has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Launston slips a jab from Panama.
Panama looks to throw the jab but Launston is out of range.
Panama throws a jab but it's blocked by Launston.
Panama's jab looks to have found its range, popping Launston under the eye.
Panama scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Launston closes this distance looking for a takedown but Panama circles away.
Panama cracks Launston with a right hand to the side of the head.
Panama scores with a jab to the head.
David Launston is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Panama throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Launston.
Panama connects with a looping right hand.
Panama feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Launstons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Panama connects with the punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Panama uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Panama lands the left hand.
Panama throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Panama catches Launston with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A slow jab from Panama misses its intended target.
Nice body punch from Panama.
Launston fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Launston takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Panama lands a jab to the head.
Mason Panama seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Panama connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A jab lands there for Panama.
Mason Panama has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Panama is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Launston.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mason Panama showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Launston has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:28
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:28
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 28:28

The fight is ruled a draw!