PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Laston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shaun Styles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Laston might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Survivor-Eye of the Tiger. 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.

Laston
vs
Styles

190 cm
21
196 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

190 cm
25
200 lbs
4 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Laston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Shaun Styles!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Alan Glass and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice uppercut lands for Laston. That snapped Styles's head back.
Styles throws a head kick but Laston moves out of range.

Styles closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Laston's guard.
Laston wants to improve his position but instead Styles has moved into half guard.
Laston holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
The fighters are battling for position here. Laston manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Styles won't allow Laston to sweep him here.
Laston is controlling Styles's posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Laston is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Styles really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Laston. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Laston not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laston seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Laston is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Laston is trying to control the position from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Styles is fighting to break Laston's control of his arms but Laston is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Styles doesn't manage to clinch there - Laston circles away.
Styles shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Laston pinned against the cage. Laston gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Styles misses with a head kick.
A shot to the liver by Laston. Beautiful body shot.
Good work by Laston as he checks the leg kick.
Laston connects with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Laston as Styles shoots in.
Styles misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
John Laston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shaun Styles.
Styles wants to clinch

and Laston counters with a takedown into side control.
Laston tries to advance to mount but Styles denies him.
Styles is looking to regain half guard here but Laston keeps moving and retains side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Styles struggling a bit here.
Styles being controlled for a moment.
Laston trying to control the position but Styles is working away.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Styles slips a jab and a cross from Laston.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Laston dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Styles looks for a takedown but Laston sprawls well.
Styles shoots in for a takedown but Laston shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Laston scores with a jab to the body.
Laston misses with a two punch combination.
Styles looks to clinch

and Laston counters with a nice double leg into side control. Styles won't be happy with that.

Laston is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Styles knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Laston looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Styles trying to remain calm as Laston controls from the top position.
Laston wants to control but Styles is keeping him busy.
You can see the frustration on Styles's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Laston is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Styles can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Laston wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Styles, who protects the arm well.

Laston is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Styles has escaped the position, nice work there.
A lull in the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Laston tries for a kimura but Styles is defending well.
Laston trying to control the action but Styles is working from the bottom.
Styles tries to get back to half guard but can't.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Styles keeps trying to improve his position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Laston throws a body shot but no joy.
Styles wants to clinch

and Laston counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Laston stopping the sweep attempt from Styles.
Laston looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Laston seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Styles for as long as he can get away with.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Laston dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Laston connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Styles momentarily.
Laston misses with a double jab.
John Laston is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Laston shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Styles as he jumps to the side.

Laston closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Styles to the mat! Styles manages to get full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Laston wants to control from the top but Styles keeps moving.
Styles not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
John Laston 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.
Laston trying to control the position from guard on top but Styles is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Styles wants to stand up but Laston is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laston tries to free his leg and advance position but Styles is retaining full guard.
Laston not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Styles is trying to control the position but Laston postures up.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Laston's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Styles punishes Laston's body with a nice straight punch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Styles is defended easily by Laston.

Styles gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Styles stops a takedown attempt from Laston.
Laston wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Laston. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Laston is looking for a takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Laston lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Laston is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Laston prevents Styles from improving his position.
Well, if Laston is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Laston is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Styles!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laston controlling from mount.

Laston working for a submission but Styles is keeping him at bay.
Styles wants to hold on but Laston pushes him away.
Laston tries to control but Styles wriggling away.
Styles is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Styles is working to get back to half guard.

Laston is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Styles has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Styles!
Styles trying to control but Laston is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Laston has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Styles can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Shaun Styles has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
John Laston is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Styles won't allow Laston to sweep him here.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Laston showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Laston, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:26
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:26
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Laston!
A very excited looking John Laston made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.