PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gene LaBell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Samuelson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). John Samuelson has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Gene LaBell's chin.

LaBell
vs
Samuelson

225 cm
19
165 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

175 cm
18
162 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

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 Los Angeles, Gene LaBell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Samuelson!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Samuelson misses with a double jab.
A swing and a miss from Samuelson.
LaBell keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Samuelson.
Samuelson misses with a series of wild punches.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
LaBell fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
LaBell looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Samuelson is fending him off so far but LaBell persists. Nope, Samuelson circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Samuelson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Samuelson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Samuelson throwing strikes from guard but LaBell blocks nicely.
LaBell manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Samuelson manages to get himself to full guard.
LaBell trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Samuelson had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. LaBell is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Samuelson Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take LaBell's back instead.
Samuelson is throwing strikes by LaBell counters by rolling into a better position. After a scramble, LaBell regains half guard.
LaBell regains full guard. Nicely done.
LaBell manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

LaBell gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LaBell tries for a takedown but Samuelson circles away easily
and Samuelson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gene LaBell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
LaBell fails with the takedown

and Samuelson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Samuelson stopping the sweep attempt from LaBell.

LaBell is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
LaBell is trying to keep Samuelson in close.
Samuelson working some strikes from top position.
Samuelson won't allow LaBell to sweep him here.

LaBell throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

LaBell isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Samuelson stacks LaBell on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Samuelson!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Samuelson pushes LaBell away with a front kick.
LaBell has his takedown stuffed

and Samuelson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Samuelson.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LaBell is trying to control the position from the bottom.

LaBell looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
LaBell thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Samuelson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Samuelson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with LaBell. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

LaBell throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

LaBell working for a triangle but Samuelson defends it easily.
LaBell working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LaBell utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Samuelson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
LaBell keeping full guard, as Samuelson tries to pass.
Samuelson with a flurry of punches that miss.
LaBell pulls Samuelson in to control the position.
Samuelson slips nicely into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LaBell moves into full guard.
LaBell is trying to control the position but Samuelson postures up.

LaBell working for a triangle but Samuelson defends it easily.
LaBell bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Samuelson's guard.
LaBell trying to control the position from guard on top but Samuelson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samuelson keeping full guard, as LaBell tries to pass.
LaBell advances position into side control!
Samuelson is trying to get back to half guard.
LaBell wants to control but Samuelson is keeping him busy.
Samuelson misses with an elbow from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Gene LaBell will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

The fighters circle momentarily. Samuelson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
LaBell doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Samuelson counters with a nice double leg into guard.

LaBell has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Samuelson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Samuelson looking to pass the guard.
LaBell preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LaBell is pulling down on Samuelson's head. It's preventing any offense from Samuelson, at least for the moment.
LaBell is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

LaBell wants to work for an arm triangle but Samuelson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Samuelson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
LaBell really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Samuelson keeping moving, preventing LaBell from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
LaBell throwing strikes but missing.
LaBell tries to free his leg and advance position but Samuelson is retaining full guard.
LaBell trying to control but Samuelson is working from the bottom.
Samuelson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

LaBell is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
LaBell advances to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samuelson throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
LaBell fails with the takedown

and Samuelson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for LaBell!
LaBell is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
LaBell regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samuelson tries to pass to full mount but LaBell defends it.
John Samuelson has got the better of the ground game so far.
LaBell keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

LaBell is defending against the submission attempts here by Samuelson.
Samuelson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Samuelson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Samuelson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Samuelson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Samuelson!