PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mike Angelo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Lauzon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Angelo
vs
Lauzon

176 cm
29
154 lbs
23 - 8 - 0

178 cm
24
164 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 23 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike Angelo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joe Lauzon!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lauzon lands a right hook to the body.
Lauzon with a hook.
Lauzon fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Angelo fails to land the takedown.
Angelo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lauzon.
A slow jab from Lauzon misses its intended target.
Angelo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Lauzon counters with a nice uppercut.
Lauzon looks to score with a jab to the body but Angelo is just out of range.
Angelo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Joe Lauzon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lauzon misses with a double jab

and Angelo counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Lauzon!
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Lauzon tries to hold on but Angelo postures up.

Angelo looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Angelo has hold of Lauzon's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Lauzon manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lauzon is desperately trying to improve his position but Angelo has a good base and remains in mount.
Lauzon is trying to escape the mount but Angelo keeps good control and instead manages to take Lauzon's back.
Lauzon looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Angelo is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Angelo is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Lauzon 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 Angelo gets his way!
Lauzon wants to escape the position.
Lauzon is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Angelo off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Lauzon is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Lauzon turns into Angelo and is now in his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Angelo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lauzon is aware though and is defending well.

Lauzon stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Lauzon waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Angelo.
Angelo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Lauzon sprawls well. Lauzon wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Angelo gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Angelo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Angelo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Angelo fails to land the takedown.
Lauzon misses with a hook. Angelo ducked under it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Angelo with that takedown attempt.
Joe Lauzon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Angelo defending well as Lauzon loads up on a big left hand.
Angelo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lauzon as he jumps to the side.
Angelo shoots in and drives through. Lauzon sprawls well.
Angelo closes the distance and clinches up with Lauzon, looking for a takedown. Angelo pushes Lauzon against the cage but Lauzon circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A right-left combo lands from Lauzon.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lauzon scores with a shot to the body.
Lauzon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Angelo moves away.
Nice sprawl there from Lauzon as Angelo shoots in.
Lauzon lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lauzon lands with an uppercut that bounces Angelo off the cage and back into range.
Lauzon throws a right hand that Angelo ducks under and follows up with a left that Angelo also avoids with ease.
Lauzon throws a nice looking combination but Angelo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Angelo moves out of range as Lauzon strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mike Angelo will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Lauzon comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Lauzon misses with an uppercut.
Angelo slips a straight right by Lauzon.
Angelo takes one to the side of the head.
Angelo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lauzon is fending him off so far but Angelo persists. Nope, Lauzon circles away and we're back to standing.
Lauzon lands a slapping body shot.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Lauzon enables Angelo to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Lauzon manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Angelo wants to pass the guard but Lauzon is keeping the position.
Lauzon looking for a sweep. Not yet Lauzon, not yet.
Lauzon is trying to control the position but Angelo postures up.

Angelo drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Lauzon dives on top into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Angelo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lauzon can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Angelo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lauzon defends well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Angelo throws his legs up looking for a submission but Lauzon uses it to pass to side control.

Lauzon decides to stand back up. Lauzon steps back and let's Angelo get back to his feet.
Angelo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Lauzon sprawls well. Lauzon wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Angelo gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lauzon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Angelo moves away.
A decent looking cross lands there for Lauzon.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Angelo.

Angelo tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Angelo working away.
Lauzon is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Lauzon gets to his feet. Angelo looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Lauzon swings for the body but Angelo moves out of range.
Lauzon lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Lauzon bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Lauzon misses with an uppercut. Angelo saw that one coming.
Lauzon connects with a good right hand that stumbles Angelo. Angelo circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A jab from Lauzon misses.
Angelo wants to slow Lauzon down by chopping away at his legs.
Lauzon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Angelo moves away.
Lauzon stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Lauzon swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Angelo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Angelo defending well as Lauzon loads up on a big left hand.
Lauzon misses the shot to the body.
Lauzon throws a series of punches but Angelo moves out of range.
Angelo has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Lauzon finds it's way round the side to connect with Angelo's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lauzon waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Angelo.
Lauzon fails to land with a series of punches.
Lauzon stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Angelo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Angelo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Lauzon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lauzon throws a hook but Angelo blocks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Angelo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Lauzon throws a lazy right hand but Angelo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lauzon throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lauzon misses with a straight left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Lauzon showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Good exchange - Lauzon coming out on top.
Lauzon misses with a hook. Angelo ducked under it nicely.
Lauzon lands with a right hand.
Lauzon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Angelo.
Angelo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lauzon's waist but Lauzon gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Angelo off to one side.
Angelo defending well as Lauzon loads up on a big left hand.
Lauzon displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Angelo fails with the takedown.
Lauzon lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Lauzon throws a hook to the side of Angelo's head but Angelo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Angelo blocks a jab.
Horrible takedown by Angelo or perhaps it was just good defense by Lauzon which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Angelo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A big right from Lauzon misses.
Angelo shoots in but no luck this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lauzon lands a body shot.
Angelo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Lauzon lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Angelo gets a double leg takedown into Lauzon's guard.
Lauzon pulls Angelo in close to his closed guard and prevents Angelo from doing any damage or advancing position.
Angelo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Angelo is working hard here to advance position.
Angelois looking to pass into half guard but Lauzon pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Lauzon is in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lauzon wants to stand but Angelo has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Angelo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Angelo looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Lauzon passes into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Lauzon postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Angelo to stand up.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Angelo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Lauzon sprawls well. Lauzon wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Angelo gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice uppercut there from Lauzon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lauzon slaps away a takedown attempt from Angelo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Lauzon throws a right and a left that both miss.
Angelo ducks under a wild hook from Lauzon.
Lauzon throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lauzon misses with an uppercut

and Angelo counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Lauzon has his hands on Angelo's head, controlling the position.
Angelo pushes down on Lauzon's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Lauzon is holding on to half guard well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lauzon trying to get back to full guard but Angelo takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

Angelo has control of Lauzon's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Lauzon regains control of the situation pretty easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Angelo seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Lauzon is holding on tight.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Joe Lauzon.
I think Lauzon 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight for Joe Lauzon!
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight for Joe Lauzon!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Joe Lauzon!

Joe Lauzon wins by unanimous decision!