PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John Pinaglabanan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Renato Laranja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pinaglabanan's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Flume - Some Minds (XVII Flip). John Pinaglabanan has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Pinaglabanan
vs
Laranja

171 cm
29
143 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

170 cm
29
146 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Arcticus University: London
Spartan Nutrition

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 Tokyo, John Pinaglabanan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Renato Laranja!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Chris Edwards and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pinaglabanan scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Laranja doesn't seem bothered though.
Pinaglabanan misses with a hook

and Laranja counters with a takedown into side control.
Laranja working away.
Who's going to make the next move?

Laranja tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Laranja swings around for an armbar but Pinaglabanan sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Laranja's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pinaglabanan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Pinaglabanan landing with the ground and pound.
Pinaglabanan has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laranja lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Laranja seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Pinaglabanan keeping moving, preventing Laranja from controlling successfully.
Laranja pushing down on Pinaglabanan's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Pinaglabanan makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Pinaglabanan.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Pinaglabanan trying to control the position here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Pinaglabanan throws a hook to the side of Laranja's head but Laranja sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Laranja is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Pinaglabanan throws a hook but Laranja blocks it.

Laranja looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laranja controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Pinaglabanan is adopting a defensive guard.
Laranja controls from within his opponent's guard.
Pinaglabanan seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Pinaglabanan controls Laranja momentarily but Laranja frees himself.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Laranja tries to free his leg and advance position but Pinaglabanan is retaining full guard.
Pinaglabanan definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pinaglabanan looking to control.
Laranja wants to control from the top but Pinaglabanan keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Pinaglabanan throws a nice looking combination but Laranja bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Laranja tries to counter by closing the distance.
Laranja has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Laranja defending well as Pinaglabanan loads up on a big left hand.
And Laranja tries to counter it with a takedown but Pinaglabanan pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A telegraphed right hand from Pinaglabanan misses the target.
Pinaglabanan throws the left hand but Laranja avoids the punch easily.
Some wild striking there from Pinaglabanan.
Laranja uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Pinaglabanan.
Laranja is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Pinaglabanan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Laranja uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Pinaglabanan.
Laranja throws a looping overhand right but Pinaglabanan ducks down to avoid it.
Pinaglabanan throws a poor cross that misses

and Laranja counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Laranja wants to pass to mount but Pinaglabanan is defending the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pinaglabanan is in trouble now - Laranja has advanced to mount!

Laranja is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Pinaglabanan has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Laranja content just to control the position here.
Pinaglabanan wants to hold on but Laranja pushes him away.
Pinaglabanan is desperately trying to improve his position but Laranja has a good base and remains in mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Pinaglabanan is just holding on here. Laranja manages to take his back.

Laranja is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Pinaglabanan is defending well though. Laranja let's go of the attempt for now.
Pinaglabanan just trying to survive but Laranja is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Renato Laranja will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Pinaglabanan connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

It looks like Renato Laranja has been cut.
Pinaglabanan misses the shot to the body.
John Pinaglabanan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pinaglabanan dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Laranja tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Pinaglabanan manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
No joy there for Pinaglabanan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Laranja tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Laranja throws a looping overhand right but Pinaglabanan ducks down to avoid it.
Pinaglabanan misses with a hook.
Laranja steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Pinaglabanan.
Laranja displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pinaglabanan throws out the jab.
Pinaglabanan misses with a straight left.
Pinaglabanan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Laranja moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laranja swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
John Pinaglabanan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pinaglabanan lands with an uppercut that bounces Laranja off the cage and back into range.
Sloppy strikes from Pinaglabanan. Those never looked like landing.
Laranja ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Laranja tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Laranja takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Laranja is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pinaglabanan misses with a straight left.
Laranja is still on wobbly legs! Can Pinaglabanan finish him?
Pinaglabanan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Laranja can do to turn this around?
Pinaglabanan misses with a double jab.
Pinaglabanan misses with a looping left.
Laranja seems to have recovered his senses.
Laranja tries a head kick but it misses.
Pinaglabanan throws out a loose jab but Laranja uses good head movement to avoid it.
Laranja lands a nice hook to Pinaglabanan's body. Pinaglabanan takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Pinaglabanan ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Laranja looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Nice defenses there by Laranja.
A slow jab from Pinaglabanan misses its intended target.
Pinaglabanan swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Laranja.
Pinaglabanan throws a hook but Laranja avoids it easily.
Laranja takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Laranja will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pinaglabanan misses with a double jab

and Laranja counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Laranja.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Laranja trying to control the position from guard on top but Pinaglabanan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pinaglabanan is trying to keep Laranja in close.
Pinaglabanan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Laranja is one step ahead there.
Pinaglabanan is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Pinaglabanan wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Laranja sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pinaglabanan wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Laranja with a jab.
Laranja is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Pinaglabanan circles away from the clinch attempt.
Laranja moves out of range of the strikes.
Pinaglabanan swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Pinaglabanan throws a big shot that misses.
Pinaglabanan lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Pinaglabanan misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pinaglabanan just misses with a punch to the body.
Laranja changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Pinaglabanan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Laranja.

Laranja clinches.
Pinaglabanan lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Pinaglabanan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pinaglabanan throws a right and a left that Laranja avoids nicely.
Pinaglabanan lands a jab to the nose.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Laranja slips under a jab from Pinaglabanan.
Pinaglabanan throws an overhand right that lands on Laranja's shoulder, as Laranja tries to avoid the shot.
Pinaglabanan throws a big shot that misses.
Pinaglabanan misses with a double jab

and Laranja counters with a single leg into guard. Pinaglabanan didn't expect that.
Pinaglabanan trying to keep a closed guard but Laranja is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Pinaglabanan dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Renato Laranja's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Some wild striking there from Pinaglabanan.
Pinaglabanan looks to land a combination but Laranja avoids it well.
Laranja wants to counter with a clinch but Pinaglabanan pushes him away.
Pinaglabanan keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Pinaglabanan looks to score with a jab to the body but Laranja is just out of range.
Laranja changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Pinaglabanan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Laranja fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Pinaglabanan on the side of the head.
Laranja walks into a left hand.
Pinaglabanan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laranja takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
The fighters circling - Pinaglabanan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Laranja shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Pinaglabanan manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Pinaglabanan working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pinaglabanan wants to sweep here but Laranja controlling him for the moment.
Laranja pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pinaglabanan is keeping the position for now.

Laranja drops back looking for a leg! Pinaglabanan is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Pinaglabanan manages to kick Laranja off! Laranja jumps back into Pinaglabanan's guard.
Pinaglabanan keeping full guard, as Laranja tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Laranja not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Pinaglabanan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Pinaglabanan misses with a wild combination.
Pinaglabanan takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Pinaglabanan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Laranja.
Nice takedown defense from Pinaglabanan. No joy for Laranja on that attempt.
Pinaglabanan slaps away a takedown attempt from Laranja, before circling back to the center of the mat.
John Pinaglabanan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Renato Laranja.
Pinaglabanan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nice defenses there by Laranja.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laranja shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
No joy there for Pinaglabanan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A shot to the liver by Pinaglabanan. Beautiful body shot.
Pinaglabanan throws a combination that misses

and Laranja counters with a shoot takedown. Pinaglabanan fights it but they end up in guard.
Laranja trying to control but Pinaglabanan is working from the bottom.
Laranja stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pinaglabanan swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Laranja is fighting to break Pinaglabanan's control of his arms but Pinaglabanan is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Pinaglabanan trying to keep a closed guard but Laranja is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Pinaglabanan scores with a body shot.
Pinaglabanan throws a right and a left that Laranja avoids nicely.
Pinaglabanan fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Laranja moves out of range of the strikes.
Pinaglabanan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Laranja.
Laranja misses with a kick to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Laranja on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Pinaglabanan scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Laranja tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Pinaglabanan defends well and Laranja ends up having to push Pinaglabanan into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Pinaglabanan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Pinaglabanan 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Pinaglabanan!
A very excited looking John Pinaglabanan rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.
Renato Laranja spoke after the fight, saying 'I didnt eat enouf frui and vegtables. Thats verr importint...'.