PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joe Lauzon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jacque Francois (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Lauzon
vs
Francois

178 cm
25
164 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

170 cm
22
160 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Self confident

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Joe Lauzon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jacque Francois!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Dillan Fox and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lauzon darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Lauzon looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Francois looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Francois is staying active underneath Lauzon, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Lauzon seems to be looking for submissions.
Francois is staying active underneath Lauzon, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Francois is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lauzon pulls his head out easily.
Lauzon looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Francois slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Lauzon throwing strikes from guard but Francois blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lauzon wants to control from the top but Francois keeps moving.

Francois is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Lauzon trying to control the position from guard on top but Francois is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Francois not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Lauzon avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Lauzon is looking to work some ground and pound but Francois has wrist control.

Francois is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lauzon is aware though and is defending well.
Lauzon throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Francois works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lauzon lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Lauzon avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lauzon wants to control from the top but Francois keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Francois working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lauzon doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lauzon manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Francois keeping moving, preventing Lauzon from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Francois pulls Lauzon in close to prevent any damage.

Francois had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lauzon defends it easily.
Francois can't keep his opponent in guard - Lauzon advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Lauzon is looking for a kimura but Francois is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Lauzon to get the leverage.

Francois looking for a kimura from the bottom but Lauzon passes into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lauzon cracks Francois with a big right hand but Francois just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

Lauzon tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Lauzon working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Lauzon is breathing heavily.

Lauzon working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Lauzon throws a strike aimed at the side of Francois's head but Francois avoids it well.
Francois manages to work his way to half guard, despite Lauzon's best efforts.

Francois actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lauzon passes into side control, despite Francois's attempt to control the position.
Francois gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Francois trying to hold on to Lauzon's head to control him but Lauzon postures up.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Lauzon is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Francois has managed to free his arm - good work.
Francois slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Francois escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lauzon gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Francois looking for a guillotine here but Lauzon defends easily.
Lauzon advances to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jacque Francois will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Francois shoots in but no luck this time.
Horrible takedown by Francois or perhaps it was just good defense by Lauzon which made him look bad.
Lauzon goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Lauzon shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Francois tries to lock up and control but Lauzon gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Francois tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Lauzon lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Lauzon with good strikes from the mount here!

Lauzon is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Francois has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Francois is wriggling around trying to escape.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Francois wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Francois is breathing heavily.

Lauzon is working for a rear naked choke. Francois is not defending it well and Lauzon has tightened it up quickly! This could be all over! Francois refuses to tap and goes to sleep, forcing the referee to intervene. A little trickle of blood came out of Francois's nose as his head slumped to the floor. That is naaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:02 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Joe Lauzon!