PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Paul Larsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel Haines (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Larsson
vs
Haines

189 cm
24
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Paul Larsson !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Daniel Haines!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Steven Brown and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Larsson tests Haines's chin there with a solid looking shot.

It looks like Daniel Haines has been cut.
Haines wants to clinch.

Larsson rushes Haines and presses him up against the cage.
Haines fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Larsson 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Larsson moves in looking to clinch but Haines pushes him off.
Larsson throws a jab when Haines was well out of range.
Haines throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Haines dodges the punch combination from Larsson .
Larsson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Haines throws a series of punches but Larsson moves out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Larsson as Haines shoots in.
Larsson lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Haines looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Larsson !

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haines wants to lay and pray for a moment but Larsson keeps working.
Haines is trying to ground and pound but Larsson uses the momentary lack of control by Haines to regain half guard.
Haines is thwarting Larsson 's attempts to control the position.
Haines thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Larsson 's head.
Haines wants to take a breather but Larsson is having none of it.
Haines thows a huge punch but Larsson dodges it nicely.
Haines throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Larsson to regain full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haines trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Haines trying to control but Larsson is working from the bottom.
Haines passes Larsson 's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Larsson tries to kick Haines off but Haines keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Haines is trying to control. Larsson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Haines throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Haines not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Larsson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Haines.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Haines thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Larsson 's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Haines stands up from half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Haines throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haines staying out of range there.
Haines throws a right and a left that Larsson avoids nicely.
Haines throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Haines looks winded!

Haines rushes Larsson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Haines fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Paul Larsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniel Haines.
Haines tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Larsson 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Larsson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Larsson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Haines.
Haines lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Larsson circles away quickly and effectively.
Haines throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Larsson misses with a jab, cross combination.

Larsson moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Larsson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Daniel Haines seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Larsson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Larsson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Larsson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Haines shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Larsson is trying to defend but Haines finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Haines not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Haines has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Haines seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Larsson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Haines thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Haines is trying to control. Larsson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Haines dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Daniel Haines's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Haines tries to keep at a distance but Larsson has taken the fight into the clinch.

Larsson manages to break the clinch.
Haines swats away the attempt to clinch by Larsson .
Larsson misses with a two punch combination.
Larsson lands a lovely overhand right.
Haines moves to clinch but Larsson breaks away
and Haines takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Larsson misses with a wild combination.

Haines drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Haines content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Haines throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Larsson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Haines trying to control the position from guard on top but Larsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Larsson is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Haines presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Larsson prevents a takedown attempt there.

Larsson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Haines tries to land a front kick but Larsson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Larsson moves in looking to clinch but Haines pushes him off.
Haines goes for a double leg but Larsson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Larsson continues to drive forward.
Haines is breathing heavily.
Haines tries to score a body lock takedown but Larsson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Paul Larsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniel Haines.

Haines breaks the clinch.
Larsson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Haines dives in for a single leg takedown but Larsson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Larsson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haines leaves Larsson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Larsson shoots in for a takedown but Haines shows good takedown defense.
Larsson misses with a double jab.
Haines throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Larsson 's waist but Larsson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Haines off to one side.
Haines gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Larsson .
Larsson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Haines sprawls well. Haines wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Larsson gets slowly back to his feet.
Haines shoots in looking for a takedown. Larsson tries to sprawl out of it but Haines keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Larsson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Larsson throws a series of punches but Haines avoids them all with ease.
Haines throws a left and a right that both miss
and Larsson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haines shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Larsson has managed to clinch.

Larsson successfully pulls guard.
Haines working some strikes from top position.
Haines trying to control the position from guard on top but Larsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Larsson wants to get back to his feet but Haines is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Haines is fighting to break Larsson 's control of his arms but Larsson is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haines loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Daniel Haines has got the better of the ground game so far.
Haines working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Larsson 's head.
Larsson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Haines.
Haines is looking to work some ground and pound but Larsson has wrist control.
Haines being controlled here momentarily.
Larsson is looking to stand up but Haines isn't so interested in that idea.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Larsson keeping moving, preventing Haines from controlling successfully.
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 Paul Larsson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Daniel Haines's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Larsson fails with a takedown attempt.
A low kick from Larsson misses

and Haines counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Larsson !
The strikes coming from Haines are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Larsson pushes Haines away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Haines gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Haines throws a strike aimed at the side of Larsson 's head but Larsson avoids it well.
Larsson is looking to regain half guard here but Haines keeps moving and retains side control.
Haines lands a decent elbow from side control.
Haines is working Larsson over with some ground and pound from side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Haines tries for a kimura but Larsson is defending well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Haines lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larsson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Larsson is not content to let Haines control the position.
Haines sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Larsson is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Haines lands a decent elbow from side control.

Larsson sneaks out the side door and pushes Haines away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larsson shoots for a double leg takedown but Haines sprawls well. He's pushed Larsson 's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Larsson is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Larsson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Haines circles away quickly and effectively.
Paul Larsson is winning the standup battle so far.

Haines decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Haines is looking to take a break and control but Larsson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Haines missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Larsson scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Haines manages to mount him!
Haines lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
BOOM! Haines connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Larsson tries to lock up and control but Haines gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Haines has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Larsson 's face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Haines cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Haines trying to control but Larsson is having none of it.
Haines landing shots from mount.
Haines cracks Larsson with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Haines in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Haines lands a big elbow.
Haines lands a couple of good shots and Larsson has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

Haines has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larsson has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Will Haines go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Haines connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Larsson to escape the position.
Haines lands punches and elbows.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Larsson covers up after that shot from Haines.
Haines throwing sloppy strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Daniel Haines comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Haines 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 James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daniel Haines!
Daniel Haines decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.