PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Lakanik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pierre Gautier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Lakanik
vs
Gautier

191 cm
41
195 lbs
19 - 16 - 0

187 cm
41
202 lbs
39 - 18 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 19 - 16 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Lakanik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 39 - 18 - 0, fighting out of New York, Pierre Gautier!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Lou da Vinci and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lakanik tries to move into range but Gautier moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

It looks like John Lakanik has been cut.
A punch combination from Gautier misses.
Lakanik throws a head kick but Gautier moves out of range.
Gautier tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lakanik appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Lakanik moves into the clinch.
Lakanik working Gautier over with knees to the body.
Lakanik gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Lakanik's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Gautier gets underhooks to prevent Lakanik's takedown attempt.
Gautier misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Lakanik lands a nice shot to the body.
Lakanik has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Gautier after a bit of a struggle.

Lakanik manages to break the clinch.
Lakanik tries to clinch up but Gautier circles away and keeps his distance.
And Gautier responds with a good body kick, but Lakanik manages to step out the way in time.
Lakanik wants to clinch up but Gautier keeps it at a distance.
Gautier throws a leg kick
and Lakanik counters with a head kick. That will keep Gautier thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gautier with a jab.
Lakanik wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lakanik stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Gautier.

Lakanik lands a big head kick that sends Gautier tumbling to the mat! Lakanik takes a step backwards and waves Gautier back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Gautier is rocked!

It looks like Pierre Gautier has been cut.
Gautier with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gautier is still on wobbly legs! Can Lakanik finish him?
Gautier throws a sloppy head kick and Lakanik moves out of range easily.
Lakanik is looking for a counter combo.
Lakanik tries to clinch but Gautier moves out of range.
Gautier seems to have recovered his senses.
Lakanik blocks a head kick by Gautier.
Gautier avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Pierre Gautier is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Lakanik closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lakanik prevents a body shot from Gautier.
Gautier pushes Lakanik back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lakanik lands an elbow just above Gautier 's eye.
Lakanik lands an elbow just above Gautier 's eye.
Lakanik blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lakanik tries to land knees in the clinch but Gautier avoids the damage to the body.
Gautier misses with a short punch on the inside.
The referee calls for Gautier to work.
Lakanik tries to circle away but Gautier has him pinned against the cage.
Gautier lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gautier avoiding damage as Lakanik throws knees to the body.
Lakanik tries to land knees in the clinch but Gautier avoids the damage to the body.
Lakanik unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Lakanik lands a knee to the head.
Lakanik tries a body shot but Gautier blocks it.
Gautier misses with a punch to the body.
Lakanik throws an elbow but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lakanik.
Lakanik is working Gautier over against the cage.
Gautier lands a shoulder strike.
Gautier tries to throw a body punch but Lakanik avoids it by throwing Gautier back against the cage.
Gautier blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lakanik is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gautier is defending well for now.

Lakanik manages to break the clinch.
Lakanik tries to clinch up.
Gautier is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lakanik.
Lakanik thinks about countering with a body kick.
Gautier swats away the attempt to clinch by Lakanik.
Lakanik throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Lakanik is looking to clinch but Gautier is avoiding it.
Lakanik lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Lakanik checks a leg kick nicely.
Lakanik is looking to counter with head kicks.
Gautier scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Gautier avoids the head kick by Lakanik.
Lakanik moves in looking to clinch but Gautier pushes him off.
Lakanik tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Gautier connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lakanik tries to clinch
and Gautier counters with a nice kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gautier circles away from the clinch attempt
and Gautier counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lakanik misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lakanik lands with a slapping head kick.
Gautier slips a jab and a cross from Lakanik.
Gautier swats away the attempt to clinch by Lakanik.
Gautier throws a hook but Lakanik blocks it.
Lakanik moves in looking to clinch but Gautier pushes him off.
Gautier keeps the fight on the outside.
Gautier keeps the fight on the outside.
Lakanik wants to clinch but Gautier slips to the side
and Gautier counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lakanik throws a head kick that misses.
Gautier looks for the body kick but Lakanik saw that one coming.
Lakanik ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gautier moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that John Lakanik 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!

Gautier blocks a head kick by Lakanik.
Lakanik looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Lakanik fails with the takedown.
Gautier tries to land a front kick but Lakanik steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Gautier takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Lakanik rushes Gautier and presses him up against the cage.
Lakanik with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lakanik can't find room to land a body shot as Gautier controls the action.
Lakanik doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gautier has a couple of punches blocked by Lakanik.
Lakanik blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Lakanik blocks a body shot from Gautier.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gautier's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Lakanik misses with a punch to the body.
Lakanik working Gautier over with knees to the body.

Lakanik breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
John Lakanik is winning the standup battle so far.
Lakanik takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lakanik throws a lazy head kick
and Gautier counters with a leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Gautier.
Lakanik throws a sloppy head kick and Gautier moves out of range easily.
Gautier avoids the head kick by Lakanik.
Gautier fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Gautier throws a head kick but Lakanik moves out of range.
Gautier connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Gautier connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Lakanik closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Gautier avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Lakanik.
Lakanik sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Gautier is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lakanik throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lakanik tries to score with some ground and pound. Gautier controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Lakanik throwing strikes but Gautier manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Lakanik is pushing Gautier's head away, looking to escape. Gautier manages to hold on to the position though.
Gautier tries to stand but Lakanik controls the position and pulls Gautier into his guard.
Lakanik on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Lakanik tries to get out of the position.
Lakanik is trying to keep Gautier in close.
Lakanik lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lakanik loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lakanik looking to sit in guard and control but Gautier gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Lakanik looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gautier is one step ahead there.
Lakanik wants to stand up but Gautier is controlling him.
Gautier throws a big elbow that misses.
Gautier is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Lakanik wants to control the position but Gautier says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Lakanik tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Gautier manages to move to mount!
Lakanik is wriggling around trying to escape.
Lakanik is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Pierre Gautier will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Lakanik tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gautier appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Gautier moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A low kick from Lakanik misses
and Lakanik takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Gautier throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lakanik wants to clinch.
Lakanik scores with a head kick. Gautier tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Gautier displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lakanik tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gautier lands with a cross.
Lakanik moves in looking to clinch but Gautier pushes him off.
Gautier misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lakanik tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gautier swivels and escapes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lakanik lands a head kick!
Lakanik darts in trying to clinch
and Gautier counters with a straight right hand.
Gautier checks a leg kick.
Gautier throws a leg kick but Lakanik checks it.

Gautier gets tackled into the cage by Lakanik. Lakanik maintains the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Lakanik throws an elbow but misses.
Gautier blocks the elbow strike.
Lakanik has a couple of punches blocked by Gautier.
Lakanik unloads a knee to the mid-section. Gautier lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Gautier lands an uppercut.
Gautier lands with a left to the head.
Lakanik misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gautier.
Gautier blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lakanik lands a knee to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lakanik lands a knee to the body.
Gautier takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lakanik avoiding damage.

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

Gautier has managed to clinch.
Lakanik lands a knee to the head.
Lakanik throws an elbow that misses.
Lakanik lands an elbow just above Gautier 's eye.
Lakanik lands a nice knee to the body.
Lakanik scores with a knee to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Gautier fails to land.
The referee calls for Lakanik to work.
Lakanik with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lakanik breaks the clinch.
Gautier avoids the head kick by Lakanik.
Lakanik takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A swing and a miss from Gautier.
Lakanik takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Gautier ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lakanik moves away.
Gautier turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Lakanik throws a sloppy head kick and Gautier moves out of range easily.
Lakanik pulls out of a head kick attempt.
John Lakanik is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lakanik scores with a head kick.

Gautier closes the distance and pushes Lakanik back into the cage.
Lakanik blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Lakanik prevents a body shot from Gautier.
A short body shot lands from Gautier as the two fighters clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gautier takes a knee to the side of the body.
Lakanik tries to break free but Gautier pushes him back against the cage.
Lakanik misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gautier.
Gautier on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gautier blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gautier misses with some punches.
Lakanik prevents a body shot from Gautier.
Lakanik using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gautier has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Gautier is trying to maintain a safe position but Lakanik gets an underhook and turns Gautier into the cage.
Gautier lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Lakanik lands a knee to the head.
Lakanik comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Lakanik lands with a left to the head.

Lakanik escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lakanik lands with a slapping head kick.
Lakanik throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Lakanik showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Lakanik 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Lakanik!
During a confident post fight interview, John Lakanik thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.