PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Renato Laranja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Whiteside (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnny Whiteside has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Laranja
vs
Whiteside

170 cm
27
146 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

160 cm
20
140 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Good gas tank

Atlantis
Vikai Gear

Atlantis

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Johnny Whiteside!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Michael Johnstone and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Whiteside stuffs the takedown.
Whiteside feints the counter takedown.
Whiteside misses with a wild body shot.
Whiteside has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
A slow jab from Whiteside misses its intended target.
Whiteside swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Laranja has been working on his balance at The GYM (20 elite coaches on the Island !!!), so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Whiteside.
Laranja shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Whiteside as he jumps to the side.
Whiteside rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Laranja counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Laranja trying to control the position from guard on top but Whiteside is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Whiteside keeping full guard, as Laranja tries to pass.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laranja stopping the sweep attempt from Whiteside.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Laranja pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Whiteside is keeping the position for now.
Whiteside keeping moving, preventing Laranja from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whiteside looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Whiteside 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.
Whiteside wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Whiteside wants to stand and escape but Laranja is having none of it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Whiteside misses with a body punch

and Laranja counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Whiteside seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Laranja stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Whiteside swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Whiteside looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Laranja passes Whiteside's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whiteside is concentrating on defense, preventing Laranja from advancing position.
Whiteside is pressing down on Laranja's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Laranja tries to free his leg and advance position but Whiteside is retaining full guard.
Whiteside seems keen to control Laranja's posture.

Whiteside wriggles free and stands up.
Whiteside connects with a body shot that sends Laranja's belly button to the back.
A looping hook to the body misses from Whiteside. Laranja does a little dance to reset his feet.
Laranja half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Whiteside digs a good hook to Laranja's body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Laranja keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Whiteside fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Laranja changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Whiteside looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

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

Laranja swings around for an armbar but Whiteside sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Laranja's guard.

Laranja has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Whiteside should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Laranja has tightened it up now! Whiteside should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:49 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Renato Laranja!
An out of breath Renato Laranja thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.