PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Clayton Laurence (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roberto Issa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Laurence
vs
Issa

190 cm
19
240 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
26
245 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Clayton Laurence!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Roberto Issa!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Joseph Jones and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Issa tries for a takedown but Laurence sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Laurence tries for a takedown but Issa sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Issa throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Issa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Laurence throws a head kick but Issa moves out of range.
Issa shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Laurence defends it nicely.
Laurence checks a leg kick.

Laurence takes the fight into the clinch.
Issa drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Clayton Laurence has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roberto Issa.
Issa is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Laurence gets underhooks to prevent Issa's takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laurence goes for a takedown attempt but Issa pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Issa lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like Clayton Laurence has been cut.
Laurence feints and then cracks Issa's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Issa down.
Issa avoids the head kick by Laurence.
Laurence avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Issa throws a combination that misses
and Laurence counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Issa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Issa gets cracked there but stands up to it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Laurence pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Laurence wants to clinch.
Laurence scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Laurence lands with a slapping head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laurence moves in looking to clinch but Issa pushes him off.
Laurence connects with a solid leg kick.
Issa fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Laurence misses with a two punch combination.
Laurence avoids a kick to the body.
Issa finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Laurence throws a lazy right hand but Issa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Laurence shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Issa misses with a jab, cross combination.

Laurence tries to sprawl but Issa drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Issa throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Laurence wants to get back to full guard.

Issa stands up out of the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Issa.
Issa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Laurence.
Laurence displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Issa.
Issa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Laurence.
Issa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Laurence plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Danga de danga de dang - Issa scores with a four punch combination!
Issa cracks Laurence with a good jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Laurence scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Laurence misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laurence wants to clinch up but Issa keeps it at a distance.
Laurence moves out of range of the strikes.
Issa misses with a double jab.

Issa gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Laurence to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Laurence wanted to stand there but Issa had control of the position.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Issa manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Laurence gets underhooks to prevent Issa's takedown attempt.

Issa manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Roberto Issa will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Clayton Laurence's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Laurence loads up on a big right hand but Issa slips the punch.

Laurence pushes Issa up against the cage in a clinch.
Laurence has been working on his balance at The Beatdown Gym, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Issa.

Issa breaks from the clinch.
Laurence throws a series of punches but Issa avoids them all with ease.
Laurence moves out of range of the body kick from Issa.
Issa gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Issa is defended easily by Laurence.
Issa throws a right and a left that both miss.
Laurence scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Issa doesn't seem bothered though.
Issa throws a solid leg kick but Laurence takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Issa.
Issa throws a leg kick
and Laurence counters with a leg kick.
Issa fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Laurence swings for the body but Issa moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Issa motions for Laurence to come forward. Issa throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Clayton Laurence is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Laurence fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Issa.
Laurence fails in his attempt to clinch.
Laurence ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Issa moves away.
Laurence is looking to wear down Issa with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Laurence fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Issa manages to avoid it.
Issa tries a low kick but Laurence avoids it.
Laurence connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Laurence cracks a nice hook into Issa's ribs.
A head kick misses from Laurence.
Issa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Laurence was well out of range. Poor timing from Issa.
Laurence throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Issa.
Laurence shoots in for a double leg but Issa sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Laurence is trying hard to land a takedown here. Issa sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Laurence wants to clinch.
Issa lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Issa fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Laurence looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Laurence moves in looking to clinch but Issa pushes him off.
Laurence throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Nice takedown defense from Laurence. No joy for Issa on that attempt.
Clayton Laurence has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roberto Issa.
Issa looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
We've been informed that Issa has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Laurence is looking to clinch but Issa is avoiding it.

Laurence drives through with a takedown into guard.
Issa looking for a sweep. Not yet Issa, not yet.
Laurence wants to control from the top but Issa keeps moving.

Issa had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Laurence defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laurence slips nicely into half guard.
Issa manages to get to full guard.
Issa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Issa looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Issa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Laurence defends well.
Laurence throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Laurence trying to control the position from guard on top but Issa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Laurence is really struggling to control Issa but he's trying to hold on to the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Clayton Laurence dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Clayton Laurence's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Issa throws a combination. Laurence tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Issa is defended easily by Laurence.
Issa moves out of range of the leg kick from Laurence.
Laurence wants to clinch.
Laurence bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Issa blocks the body kick.
Clayton Laurence is winning the standup battle so far.
Laurence ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Issa moves away.
Issa swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Laurence counters with a low kick, right behind Issa 's knee.
Issa dives in and grabs Laurence's left leg, looking for a takedown. Laurence pushes down on Issa's head and hops out.
Laurence jabs Issa to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Laurence moves into the clinch.
Laurence wants a takedown.

Laurence breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Issa goes for a double leg but Laurence avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Laurence continues to drive forward.
Clayton Laurence has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roberto Issa.
Issa wants to take the fight to the mat but Laurence manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Issa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Issa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Laurence fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Issa to the ground. Laurence is now in Issa's guard.
Laurence wanted to stand there but Issa had control of the position.
Issa is trying to keep Laurence in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laurence tries to free his leg and advance position but Issa is retaining full guard.
Issa is trying to keep Laurence in close.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Roberto Issa has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Laurence looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Issa is fending him off so far but Laurence persists. Nope, Issa circles away and we're back to standing.
Issa connects with a body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Laurence on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Laurence checks a leg kick.
Issa misses with a takedown attempt - Laurence sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Issa fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laurence lands a nice shot to the body.
Laurence misses with a series of wild punches.
Laurence fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Issa avoids it really well and circles away.
Laurence is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Issa. No joy for Laurence on that attempt.
Issa shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Laurence defends it nicely.
Laurence changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Issa tries to avoid it but Laurence manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Issa to the ground. Issa escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Laurence misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laurence lands a head kick. Issa smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Issa closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Issa throws a lazy right hand but Laurence sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Issa circles away from the clinch attempt.
Laurence is looking to clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Issa fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Issa scores with a jab to the head.
Issa with a hook.
Issa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Laurence chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Issa throws a right and a left that both miss.
Laurence misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Issa throws a right hand that Laurence ducks under and follows up with a left that Laurence also avoids with ease.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Clayton Laurence.
I think Laurence has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 29:28
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 29:28
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Clayton Laurence!