PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nick Folignus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Katsu Laoka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Folignus's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Laces Out. Laoka has chosen The Bell Tolls as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Katsu Laoka enters the cage!

Folignus
vs
Laoka

186 cm
30
193 lbs
16 - 14 - 0

188 cm
23
202 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nick Folignus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Katsu Laoka!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Jorge Garcia and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Folignus misses with a takedown attempt - Laoka sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Folignus attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Laoka fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Laoka looks to land a body kick but Folignus moved away.

Laoka fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Folignus, pushing him back against the cage.
Laoka unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Laoka misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Folignus.
Folignus with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Folignus goes for a takedown attempt but Laoka pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Laoka throws a sloppy head kick and Folignus moves out of range easily.
Folignus walks into a left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Laoka lands a really nice looking cross but Folignus seems unphased.
Folignus attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Folignus changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Laoka fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Folignus. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laoka tries to clinch up.
Folignus lands a nice looking body kick.
Folignus connects with an inside leg kick.

Laoka rushes Folignus and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Folignus is trying to drag Laoka to the mat but Laoka just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Folignus wants to get back to striking at distance but Laoka won't allow it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Laoka crunches a lovely knee into Folignus's ribcage.
We've been informed that Laoka has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

Folignus breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Laoka misses with a hook.
Laoka lands a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laoka lands with a nice body punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Laoka rushes Folignus and presses him up against the cage.
Folignus with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Folignus misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Laoka.
Laoka throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Folignus blocks it with crossed arms.
Folignus is trying to maintain a safe position but Laoka gets an underhook and turns Folignus into the cage.
Laoka prevents Folignus from breaking the clinch.
Laoka tries to land knees in the clinch but Folignus avoids the damage to the body.
Laoka keeps control of Folignus as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Folignus managing to block the knees to the body from Laoka.
Laoka missing with knees to the body.

Folignus escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Folignus throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Laoka throws a hook but Folignus avoids it easily.
Folignus looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Folignus cracks Laoka with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Folignus takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Laoka moves into range and clinches up with Folignus.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Folignus throws a head punch that misses.
Laoka is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Folignus is defending well for now.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Laoka just misses with a elbow thrown towards Folignus's brow.
Laoka unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Folignus blocks a body shot from Laoka.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Laoka just misses with a elbow thrown towards Folignus's brow.
Laoka tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Folignus avoids it.
Knees in the clinch landing for Laoka.
Folignus is breathing heavily.
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!
Laoka unloads a knee to the mid-section. Folignus lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Folignus takes a knee right on the jaw!
Laoka landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Laoka tries to land knees in the clinch but Folignus avoids the damage to the body.
Laoka throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Folignuss head.
Laoka is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Folignus is defending well for now.
Laoka is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Folignus is defending well for now.
Laoka using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Laoka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Folignus blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Folignus misses with a hook from the clinch.
Laoka with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Folignus throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Laoka blocks it with crossed arms.
Laoka tries to land a knee to the head but Folignus blocks with his arms.
Laoka landing knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Laoka.
Folignus avoiding damage as Laoka throws knees to the body.
Laoka landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Laoka prevents a takedown attempt there.
Folignus takes an elbow to the forehead.
Laoka using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Folignus has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Laoka unloads a knee to the mid-section.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Laoka utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Folignus blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Folignus is looking to control Laoka's arms but Laoka gets an underhook and turns him. Now Folignus has his back to the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Katsu Laoka dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Laoka cracks the inside of Folignus's front leg.
Folignus throws a body kick that misses

and Laoka counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Laoka utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Laoka scores with a knee to the head.
Folignus takes a knee to the side of the body.
Laoka landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Laoka is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Folignus is defending well for now.
Laoka tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Folignus avoids it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Folignus dodges an elbow strike from Laoka.
Laoka misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Folignus.
Laoka has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Laoka tries a knee to the head but Folignus blocks it.
Folignus can't break the clinch.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Folignus is pushing Laoka up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Laoka connects with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laoka trying to land knees to the body.
Laoka misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Folignus.
Laoka with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Folignus throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Laoka blocks it with crossed arms.
Folignus avoiding damage as Laoka throws knees to the body.
Folignus lands with a right to the head.
Laoka tries to land knees in the clinch but Folignus avoids the damage to the body.
Folignus is trying to break the clinch but Laoka is controlling him.
Laoka trying to land knees to the body.
Folignus managing to block the knees to the body from Laoka.
Laoka looking to throw knees to the head but Folignus is blocking nicely.
Folignus tries to stall but Laoka uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Folignus has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Laoka clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Folignus is looking for the choke from the back position but Laoka is controlling his hands well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Folignus has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Laoka is in bad spot here.
Laoka is still trying to improve position.
Laoka tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

Folignus goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Laoka is on top in guard.
Folignus looking to hit a scissor sweep but Laoka is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Folignus working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Laoka doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Laoka manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Folignus is trying to keep Laoka in close.
Folignus manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Folignus wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Folignus lands a big shot there that rocks Laoka but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Folignus tries to control but Laoka wriggling away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Folignus pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
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 Nick Folignus will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Folignus scores with a jab. Laoka acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Katsu Laoka seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Folignus ducks under a wild hook from Laoka.
Laoka plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Laoka has taken the fight to the clinch.
Laoka lands a knee to the head.
Laoka keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Folignus's efforts to push away.
Folignus blocks an uppercut.
Folignus on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Folignus wants to break free but Laoka has control.
Folignus holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Laoka trying to land knees to the body.
Katsu Laoka seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Folignus lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Laoka tries a body shot but Folignus blocks it.
Laoka with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Folignus content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Laoka obliges.

Folignus successfully pulls guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Folignus is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Laoka is aware though and is defending well.
Laoka stopping the sweep attempt from Folignus.
Folignus looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Laoka puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Folignus tries to get to full guard but Laoka has control of the leg.
Laoka is trying to control the action in half guard but Folignus is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Folignus wants to improve his position but Laoka is controlling well.
Laoka is controlling the pace.
Laoka is thwarting Folignus's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Katsu Laoka wasn't active enough on the ground.
A nice leg kick lands there from Folignus.
Laoka avoids the head kick by Folignus.
Laoka throws the kick towards the body but Folignus avoids it.
Folignus avoids the head kick by Laoka.
Folignus throws a solid leg kick but Laoka takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Folignus.
Laoka throws a shot from downtown. Folignus moves away and avoids it.
Folignus swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Folignus misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Katsu Laoka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Laoka misses the shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Laoka. Folignus does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Folignus throws a solid leg kick but Laoka takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Folignus.
Laoka pushes Folignus away with a front kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Laoka looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Laoka tries to clinch up.
Folignus blocks a low kick nicely.
Laoka pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A nice leg kick lands there from Laoka.
Folignus throws a leg kick that is checked

and Laoka counters by moving into the clinch.
Folignus tries for a takedown. No joy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Laoka lands a good knee to the midsection. Folignus won't want to take too many of those.
Laoka tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Folignus avoids it.
Folignus misses with a short punch on the inside.

Folignus manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Katsu Laoka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Laoka 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Katsu Laoka!
Our winner, Katsu Laoka, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.