PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Serge Ibaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Renato Laranja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Ibaka might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Eros Ramazzotti - Un'Emozione Per Sempre . Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Ibaka
vs
Laranja

170 cm
27
143 lbs
16 - 0 - 0

170 cm
27
146 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Powerful

Alcatraz Apparel
Atlantis

Atlantis
Vikai Gear

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 16 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Serge Ibaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Renato Laranja!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Daniel Franklin and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ibaka misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
And Laranja tries to counter it with a takedown but Ibaka pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ibaka misses with a hook.
And Laranja tries to counter it with a takedown but Ibaka pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ibaka dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Laranja misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ibaka connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

It looks like Renato Laranja has been cut.
Ibaka scores with a jab to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ibaka defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Laranja.
A clash of legs there as Ibaka blocks the low kick.
Ibaka throwing a counter right hand but Laranja manages to avoid it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Laranja.
Serge Ibaka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Renato Laranja.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibaka throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Laranja sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ibaka tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Laranja was well out of range. Poor timing from Ibaka.
Good exchange - Ibaka coming out on top.
Laranja has his takedown stuffed
and Ibaka counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Laranja is rocked!
Serge Ibaka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ibaka throws an off balance right hand

and Laranja counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Laranja.
Ibaka is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ibaka definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Laranja trying to control but Ibaka is working from the bottom.
Laranja being controlled here momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Laranja wants to control from the top but Ibaka keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laranja pushing down on Ibaka's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Laranja is trying to work for a kimura but Ibaka is defending well.
Laranja is keen to just control but Ibaka is a slippery customer.
Laranja not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ibaka is refusing to be controlled, as Laranja sits in half guard.

Laranja looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Ibaka on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ibaka tries to get out of the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Laranja looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka wants to improve his position but Laranja is controlling well.
Ibaka knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Laranja on the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ibaka blocking the ground and pound attempt from Laranja.

Laranja is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ibaka has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ibaka trying to control from the bottom.

Laranja is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ibaka defends it well.
Ibaka is looking for a sweep. Laranja is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ibaka trying to hold on to Laranja's head to control him but Laranja postures up.

Ibaka is defending against the submission attempts here by Laranja.
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 Serge Ibaka will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Renato Laranja's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Laranja throws a looping overhand right but Ibaka ducks down to avoid it.
Ibaka throws a jab but it's blocked by Laranja.
Ibaka lands a nice shot that snaps Laranja's head back.
Laranja shoots in but no luck this time.
Laranja takes one on the button.
Laranja shoots in for a takedown but Ibaka shows good takedown defense.
Ibaka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Laranja.
Laranja slips under a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laranja takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Laranja has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Laranja there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ibaka is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Ibaka is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Laranja.
Laranja tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Laranja misses with a right hand
and Ibaka counters with a stiff right hand.
Laranja is still on wobbly legs! Can Ibaka finish him?

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Ibaka.
Ibaka throws an overhand right that lands on Laranja's shoulder, as Laranja tries to avoid the shot.
Laranja misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ibaka.
Laranja seems to have recovered his senses.
Ibaka jabs Laranja right on the nose. Laranja blinks but takes it well.
Laranja tries a head kick but it misses.
Ibaka takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ibaka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ibaka steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Laranja.
Laranja slips a straight right by Ibaka.
Laranja steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ibaka.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka digs a good hook to Laranja's body.
Nice defenses there by Laranja.
A looping hook to the body misses from Laranja. Ibaka does a little dance to reset his feet.
It looked like Ibaka wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
No luck for Laranja with that takedown attempt.
Serge Ibaka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Renato Laranja.
Ibaka clobbers Laranja with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Ibaka thows a left - swing and a miss!
Laranja slips under a jab from Ibaka.

Ibaka lands a big uppercut and Laranja crumbles to the floor! The ref thinks about stopping the fight but Laranja looks OK. Ibaka waves Laranja back to his feet!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ibaka jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ibaka looks to land a right hand but Laranja moved out of range.

Ibaka lands a big uppercut and Laranja crumbles to the floor! The ref thinks about stopping the fight but Laranja looks OK. Ibaka waves Laranja back to his feet!
Ibaka throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Laranja sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Laranja drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ibaka defends it well.
Ibaka throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Laranja sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Laranja ducks under a wild hook from Ibaka.
Ibaka fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ibaka smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A big left from Ibaka misses.
Laranja takes a swing at Ibaka's ribcage but misses.
Laranja is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ibaka.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka throws a hook to the side of Laranja's head but Laranja sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The fighters circling - Ibaka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Laranja's coach down at The GYM (20 elite coaches on the Island !!!) was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Laranja's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Ibaka throws a hook to the side of Laranja's head but Laranja sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ibaka takes a swing at Laranja's ribcage but misses.
Laranja feints the counter takedown.
Laranja looks for a takedown but Ibaka sprawls well.
Ibaka misses with an uppercut.
Laranja takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Ibaka throws a lazy uppercut

and Laranja counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Ibaka is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Serge Ibaka dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Renato Laranja's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Laranja fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A looping hook to the body misses from Laranja. Ibaka does a little dance to reset his feet.
Laranja slips under a jab from Ibaka.
And Laranja tries to counter it with a takedown but Ibaka pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ibaka swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Laranja is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Laranja closes the distance and clinches up with Ibaka, looking for a takedown. Laranja pushes Ibaka against the cage but Ibaka circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Laranja looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Laranja takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Laranja ducks under a wild hook from Ibaka.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice cross by Ibaka.
Ibaka misses with a hook.
Laranja moves away from the strike by Ibaka.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibaka darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Ibaka slips under a jab from Laranja.
Laranja dives in for a single leg takedown but Ibaka sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Ibaka cracks Laranja with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Laranja looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Ibaka finish him?
Ibaka misses with a wild body shot.
Laranja changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Laranja avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ibaka looks to throw the jab but Laranja is out of range.
Ibaka throws a jab when Laranja was well out of range.
Laranja feints the counter takedown.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Laranja throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Laranja takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Renato Laranja has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Ibaka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Ibaka cracks Laranja with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Ibaka has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Laranja to stand back up!
Ibaka with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Laranja throws a big shot that misses.
Ibaka scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Laranja steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ibaka.
Ibaka clobbers Laranja with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Laranja looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Serge Ibaka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Renato Laranja.
Ibaka digs a good hook to Laranja's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka throws a looping overhand right but Laranja ducks down to avoid it.
Laranja is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ibaka lands with a nice body punch.
Serge Ibaka is winning the standup battle so far.
Laranja is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Serge Ibaka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Laranja walks straight into a right hand from Ibaka - that's dropped him! Ibaka jumps into mount and starts pounding away - can he finish?! More strikes go undefended and the referee has to dive in to save Laranja from any more punishment! Laranja complains about the stoppage but falls over as he tries to stand back up, so it was clearly a good stoppage.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:28 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Serge Ibaka!
A very excited looking Serge Ibaka 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.
Renato Laranja was interviewed post fight and said 'I didnt eat enouf frui and vegtables. Thats verr importint...'.