PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Forrest Vera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pappi Laurent (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Forrest Vera has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Vera
vs
Laurent

187 cm
22
205 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

195 cm
22
210 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Forrest Vera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Pappi Laurent!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Gregory Folan and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vera throws a sloppy head kick and Laurent moves out of range easily.
Vera attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Laurent goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Laurent throws a right hand that Vera ducks under and follows up with a left that Vera also avoids with ease.

Laurent darts in and clinches Vera up against the cage.
Laurent is trying to break free.
Laurent wants to break the clinch but can't.

Laurent breaks the clinch.
Laurent is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Laurent tries to clinch but Vera moves out of range.

Vera clinches up with Laurent and pushes him back against the cage.
Vera tries to pull guard but Laurent won't allow it.
Laurent is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Laurent has had enough of the clinch but Vera keeps him there for the moment.
Vera jumps guard but Laurent stands there with Vera around his waist. Vera gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Laurent has had enough of the clinch but Vera keeps him there for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vera wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Forrest Vera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vera tries to pull guard but Laurent won't allow it.
Vera keeps control of Laurent as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Vera pushes off an throws an elbow but Laurent leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Laurent prevents a takedown attempt there.
Vera jumps guard but Laurent stands there with Vera around his waist. Vera gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Vera tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Laurent smiles and moves away.
Vera dodges the punch combination from Laurent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Vera circles away from the clinch attempt.
Vera tries to clinch up.
Laurent blocks a head kick by Vera.
Vera tries to clinch up but Laurent circles away and keeps his distance.
Laurent misses with the combination.
Laurent lands a two punch combo.
Danga de danga de dang - Laurent scores with a four punch combination!
Laurent throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Laurent darts in and clinches Vera up against the cage.
Laurent wants to get back to striking at distance but Vera won't allow it.
Laurent prevents the takedown attempt.
Laurent prevents the takedown attempt.
Laurent wants to get back to striking at distance but Vera won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vera is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Laurent can't fight it off and eventually Vera manages to take the fight to the floor. Laurent looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Laurent can do anything to dispel that myth.

Vera is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Laurent is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Laurent has escaped and now he's on top!

Vera has his foot on Laurent's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Laurent works his way back into a safe position though.
Vera is breathing heavily.
Vera bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Laurent's guard.
Vera stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Laurent swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laurent looking to hit a scissor sweep but Vera is one step ahead there.
Vera advances position into side control!
A control attempt from Laurent but he's now mounted!
Vera is stalling here but it's allowed Laurent to get half guard.
Laurent is trying to stand up here but Vera is controlling him well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pappi Laurent dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Vera doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Vera on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Vera keeps the fight on the outside.
Vera has a takedown stuffed.
Laurent throws a shot to the body.
Vera changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Laurent tries to avoid it but Vera manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Laurent to the ground. Laurent escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Laurent gets a clinch.

Laurent manages to break the clinch.

Vera fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Laurent, pushing him back against the cage.
Laurent wants to break free but Vera has control.
Vera jumps guard but Laurent stands there with Vera around his waist. Vera gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Forrest Vera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Laurent manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laurent stuffs the takedown.
Laurent connects with a body shot.
Nice takedown defense from Laurent. No joy for Vera on that attempt.

Laurent moves into range and clinches up with Vera.
Laurent has had enough of the clinch but Vera keeps him there for the moment.

Laurent breaks from the clinch.
Laurent is looking to clinch but Vera is avoiding it.
Vera scores with a kick to the midsection.
Vera fails to land the takedown.
Pappi Laurent is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Laurent.
Decent striking displayed by Laurent there.
Laurent throws a right hand that Vera ducks under and follows up with a left that Vera also avoids with ease.
Laurent fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Laurent lands with a nice combination. Vera backs away looking to recover.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vera doesn't manage to clinch there - Laurent circles away.
Vera misses with a takedown attempt - Laurent sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Laurent!
Vera shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Vera keeps control of Laurent as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Laurent breaks from the clinch.
Laurent tries to clinch but Vera moves out of range.
No joy there for Laurent, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Vera avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Laurent swings for the body but Vera moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vera has a takedown stuffed.
Vera closes the distance and clinches up with Laurent, looking for a takedown. Vera pushes Laurent against the cage but Laurent circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Laurent clobbers Vera with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Laurent throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Vera.
Laurent looks to land a combination. Vera sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Laurent scores with the left hand. Vera knows he should have avoided that one.
A head kick misses from Vera.
Laurent is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Horrible takedown by Vera or perhaps it was just good defense by Laurent which made him look bad.
Vera takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Forrest Vera is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vera shoots for a takedown but Laurent saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Laurent moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Vera looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laurent misses with a double jab.

Laurent clinches up with Vera and pushes him back against the cage.
Vera is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Laurent gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Laurent breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Vera shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Laurent but Laurent pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Laurent looks to land a combination. Vera sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Vera takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Vera misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Vera finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Laurent uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Vera has time to react.
Vera is looking to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pappi Laurent showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Vera changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Laurent tries to avoid it but Vera manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Laurent to the ground. Laurent escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
No joy there for Laurent, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Vera shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Laurent but Laurent pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Vera throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Laurent lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Laurent moves in looking to clinch but Vera pushes him off.
Vera showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Laurent.
Vera tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Laurent swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Forrest Vera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Laurent tries to close the distance and clinch but Vera swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Vera has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Vera there as he acknowledges the shot.
Vera moves in looking to clinch but Laurent pushes him off.
Laurent bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Laurent looks to land a combination but Vera avoids it well.
A jab lands there for Laurent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laurent moves in looking to clinch but Vera pushes him off.
Laurent lands a nice shot that snaps Vera's head back.
Vera keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Laurent throws a body punch but Vera moves out of range.

Vera shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Vera is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Laurent defends it well.
Vera controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vera has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vera tries to control but Laurent wriggling away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vera is really struggling to control Laurent but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vera goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Laurent turns into him and now he's in Vera's guard.
Laurent trying to stand up but can't free himself from Vera's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Vera is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Laurent must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Forrest Vera just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Laurent looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Vera fails to land the takedown.
Laurent blocks a head kick by Vera.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Pappi Laurent.
I've got Laurent winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pappi Laurent!