PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Renato Laranja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Craig Ekart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Craig Ekart has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Renato Laranja's chin.

Laranja
vs
Ekart

170 cm
25
146 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

165 cm
25
143 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Very strong

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Island Xtreme Fight-Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 4 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Renato Laranja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Craig Ekart!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Daniel Franklin and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Laranja shoots in and gets a takedown into Ekart's guard.
Laranja is looking to pass into half guard but Ekart pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Ekart is in guard.

Ekart must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ekart controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Laranja is looking for a triangle but Ekart pushes his legs off easily.
Ekart seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Laranja definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Laranja is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekart postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ekart throwing strikes but missing.

Laranja is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ekart is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Laranja throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ekart stopping the sweep attempt from Laranja.
Ekart stands up over Laranja, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Laranja is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ekart is aware though and is defending well.
Ekart sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Ekart really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Laranja. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Laranja working a defensive guard here.
Ekart stays in close to Laranja's body and controls the position.
Ekart has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Foot Loves. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Ekart lands a couple of elbows.
Ekart is in close to Laranja's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ekart working some strikes from top position.
Laranja lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Laranja tries to free his leg and advance position but Ekart is retaining full guard.
Ekart has control of Laranja's left arm, preventing Laranja from doing any damage.
Laranja trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Laranja trying to control the position from guard on top but Ekart is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Renato Laranja dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ekart shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ekart showed some decent athleticism there.
Ekart working the head and body with strikes.
Ekart wants to take a breather but Laranja is having none of it.
Laranja works his way to full guard. Good work.
Ekart wants to control from the top but Laranja keeps moving.
Renato Laranja overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Laranja working for a triangle but Ekart defends it easily.
Ekart looking to sit in guard and control but Laranja gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laranja passes Ekart's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Laranja is working for a submission of some sort.

Laranja seems to be working for a kimura but Ekart defends the submission attempt.
Ekart is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ekart tries to roll over but Laranja keeps him under control.
Laranja is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ekart can do to turn this around?

Laranja is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Ekart gets full guard.
Laranja wants to control from the top but Ekart keeps moving.
Ekart looking to hit a scissor sweep but Laranja is one step ahead there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Craig Ekart will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Ekart throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Laranja throws the left hand but Ekart avoids the punch easily.
Laranja just misses with a punch to the body.
Laranja misses the shot to the body.
Laranja fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ekart manages to avoid it.
Ekart walks into a stiff left hand from Laranja.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laranja shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ekart as he jumps to the side.
Ekart moves out of range as Laranja strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekart tries for a takedown but Laranja circles away easily

and Laranja counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Laranja trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Laranja has gone for a leg lock! Ekart slips out almost immediately though and dives into Laranja's guard.

Ekart content to sit in guard, stalling... Great. Oh but he could get punished here because Laranja has locked up a guillotine! Laranja's face is contorted as he sqeezes tight on the submission attempt - will he finish? Ekart is holding on here and Laranja must be using up a lot of energy. Ekart has gone limp! He's out! He's out cold! Laranja gets to his feet, tossing aside his stricken foe. Arms raised, he milks the applause from the crowd. Great submission!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:53 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Renato Laranja!
A determined Renato Laranja didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!