PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steve Longhold (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Clayton Laurence (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.

Longhold
vs
Laurence

192 cm
24
245 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

190 cm
20
240 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Steve Longhold!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Clayton Laurence!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Steven Brown and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Longhold cracks Laurence with a right hand to the side of the head.

It looks like Clayton Laurence has been cut.
Longhold fails to land with a series of punches.
Longhold throws a right and a left that Laurence avoids nicely.
Laurence fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Laurence scores with a kick to the body.
Longhold thows a left - swing and a miss!
A nice combination there by Laurence.
A low kick from Longhold misses
and Laurence counters with a one-two to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Longhold checks a leg kick nicely.
Laurence misses with a low kick.
Laurence misses with a leg kick.
Longhold loads up on a big right hand but Laurence slips the punch.
Longhold throws the kick towards the body but Laurence avoids it.
Longhold swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Longhold misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Longhold fails with a takedown attempt.
Longhold has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

It looks like Steve Longhold has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laurence lands a jab-cross combination.
Longhold looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Longhold. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Longhold shoots in looking for a takedown but Laurence manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Longhold's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Longhold is breathing heavily.
Longhold looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Laurence connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Laurence fails to land with a series of punches.
Longhold shoots in for a double leg but Laurence sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Longhold looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Laurence!
Laurence felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
This fight is sponsored by Chainsaw 7. More blood and guts and stuff like that, in cinemas everywhere now!
Laurence tries to buck Longhold off but Longhold is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Laurence is pushing Longhold's head away, looking to escape. Longhold manages to hold on to the position though.
Longhold working the ground and pound.
Longhold trying to control the action but Laurence is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Laurence tries to improve position but can't.
Longhold is working Laurence over with some ground and pound from side control.
Laurence tries to buck Longhold off but Longhold is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Laurence struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Longhold working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Longhold is looking to take a break and control but Laurence is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Longhold working the ground and pound.
Laurence managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Longhold.
Laurence taking punishment in the form of punches.
Longhold cracks Laurence with a big elbow.
Laurence manages to get back to half guard.
Longhold throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Laurence wants to control but Longhold is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Longhold drops an elbow to the side of Laurence's head.
Laurence avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Longhold.
Longhold landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Longhold wants to lay and pray for a moment but Laurence keeps working.
Laurence gets back to full guard.
Longhold preventing the sweep.
Laurence has control of Longhold's left arm, preventing Longhold from doing any damage.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Clayton Laurence will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Laurence tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Laurence throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Longhold misses with a wild combination.
Longhold takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
The fighters circling - Longhold throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Longhold is defended easily by Laurence.
Laurence throws the kick towards the body but Longhold avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laurence blocks a head kick by Longhold.
Laurence finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Longhold throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Laurence counters with a nice leg kick.
Longhold shoots in for a takedown but Laurence shows good takedown defense.
Laurence tries to bum rush Longhold with a series of wild strikes but Longhold uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Longhold loads up on a big right hand but Laurence slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Longhold gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Laurence counters with a series of strikes. Longhold will be more careful next time no doubt.
Longhold tries to bum rush Laurence with a series of wild strikes but Laurence uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Laurence wants to clinch up but Longhold keeps it at a distance.
Laurence scores with a head kick. Longhold tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Longhold blocks a leg kick.
Laurence thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Longhold if he has to take too many more of those.
Laurence misses with a leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Laurence.
Laurence fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Longhold has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Longhold throws a leg kick but Laurence sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Laurence throws a leg kick but Longhold moved away.
Longhold shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Laurence pinned against the cage. Laurence gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Longhold. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Longhold misses the shot to the body.
Longhold fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Laurence stuffs the takedown.
Laurence connects with an inside leg kick.
Laurence throws a leg kick but Longhold sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Steve Longhold is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Laurence pushes Longhold up against the cage in a clinch.

Longhold escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Laurence connects with a leg kick. Longhold looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Laurence slaps away a takedown attempt from Longhold, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Laurence lands a slapping body shot.
Laurence lands a nice looking kick to the body. Longhold takes a step back to recover.
Laurence changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Longhold tries to avoid it but Laurence manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Longhold to the ground. Longhold escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice body kick from Longhold.
Laurence has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Laurence throws a nice inside leg kick.
A good leg kick by Laurence.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Longhold tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Laurence defends well and Longhold ends up having to push Laurence into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Laurence's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Longhold misses with a knee strike.
Longhold with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Laurence tries to stall but Longhold uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Laurence breaks the clinch.
Longhold circles away from the clinch attempt.
Longhold shoots and misses
and Laurence counters with a nice low kick that buckles Longhold's knee momentarily.
Longhold looks for the body kick but Laurence saw that one coming.
Longhold takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Laurence connects with a leg kick. Longhold looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A combination from Laurence does no damage.
Longhold looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Laurence lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Longhold backs up against the cage.
Longhold looks for a takedown but Laurence sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laurence looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Laurence lands a head kick. Longhold smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Laurence thuds a left hand into Longhold's body.

Laurence moves into the clinch.
The referee calls for Laurence to work.

Longhold escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Longhold rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Laurence moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A punch combination from Longhold misses.
Laurence fails with an attempt to clinch.
Longhold ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Laurence moves away.
Longhold throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A chopping leg kick lands by Laurence.
Longhold just misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Clayton Laurence showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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. This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Laurence looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Laurence pivots, looking for a leg kick but Longhold is out of range and Laurence settles back down.
Laurence tries to work over Longhold's front leg with a kick but Longhold checks it.
Laurence feints and then cracks Longhold's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Longhold down.
Longhold fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Laurence checks it well.
Longhold shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Laurence as he avoids it easily.
Laurence tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Laurence doesn't manage to clinch there - Longhold circles away.
Longhold just misses with a punch to the body.
Longhold misses with a wild body shot.
Longhold is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Longhold scores with a hook.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Laurence cracks Longhold with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Laurence throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Longhold looks for the body kick but Laurence saw that one coming.
Laurence misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Longhold shoots in for a takedown but Laurence shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Laurence throws a leg kick but Longhold checks it.
Laurence scores with a leg kick.
Longhold checks the leg kick.
Laurence tries to clinch up.
Laurence moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Laurence wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Laurence tries to clinch up but Longhold circles away and keeps his distance.
A solid leg kick lands there for Laurence.

Laurence closes the distance and pushes Longhold back into the cage.

Laurence escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A slow jab from Longhold misses its intended target.
Laurence pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Longhold takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Longhold shoots for a takedown but Laurence saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Longhold. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Laurence forces Longhold back against the cage and clinches.
Longhold prevents Laurence from breaking the clinch.
Laurence is trying to push Longhold away but Longhold has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Laurence wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Laurence working hard to break the clinch.
Laurence scores with a shoulder strike.
Laurence is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Laurence continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Steve Longhold has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laurence fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Laurence tries to pull guard but Longhold holds him up against the cage and eventually Laurence drops back down to his feet.

Longhold's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Laurence lands with a right hand.
Longhold tries for a takedown but Laurence circles away easily
and Laurence makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Laurence will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Laurence leaves Longhold with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A good leg kick by Laurence.
Longhold misses with a wild combination.
Longhold dodges the punch combination from Laurence.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Longhold fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Laurence avoids it really well and circles away.
Longhold rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Laurence counters with a two punch combo.
Longhold takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Laurence throws a series of strikes that have Longhold backpedaling.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Laurence stalks Longhold and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Longhold's face. Longhold staggers backwards, shaken.

Longhold is rocked!

Laurence has closed the distance and engaged Longhold in a clinch.
Clayton Laurence is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Oh Longhold is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Longhold tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Laurence is stalling here.
Longhold seems to have got his legs back now.
Longhold misses with a body punch.
Laurence prevents a body shot from Longhold.

And that's the end of the fight!
Clayton Laurence comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Laurence winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Clayton Laurence!
Clayton Laurence was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.