PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Francisco Antonio Laureana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and IL PO (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying PO's choice of entrance music: Tai Chi Kickboxer. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Antonio Laureana
vs
PO

180 cm
21
180 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

187 cm
22
184 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Francisco Antonio Laureana!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, IL PO!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Frank Dennis and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
PO scores with a push kick.
PO misses with a head kick.
Laureana shoots in but no luck this time.
PO rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Laureana counters with a stiff right hand.
Laureana throws a hook to the side of PO's head but PO sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
PO now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Laureana tries for a takedown but PO circles away easily
and PO cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
PO tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Laureana throws out a powerful jab.

Laureana closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

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

Laureana escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. PO gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
PO slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laureana 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.
Laureana seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
PO sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Laureana manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. PO manages to get himself to full guard.

PO looking to control.
Laureana wants to control from the top but PO keeps moving.
PO keeping full guard, as Laureana tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Laureana trying to control the position from guard on top but PO is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
PO is trying to control the position but Laureana postures up.

Laureana drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but PO manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Laureana has PO in his guard.

Laureana is adopting a defensive guard.

Laureana is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
PO controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Laureana not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Laureana managing to control the position.

PO avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

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.
Laureana controlling the position.
PO stopping the sweep attempt from Laureana.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
PO lands with a slapping head kick.
PO stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and PO wants it to stay on the feet.
PO swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Francisco Antonio Laureana. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Laureana shoots for a takedown but PO saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A swing and a miss from Laureana.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Laureana needs to keep his hands up - PO had a free shot at his head there.
PO throws a hook to the side of Laureana's head but Laureana sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
PO throws a head kick that misses.
Laureana ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

IL PO dominated that round.
That's time! Laureana's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Laureana fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging PO to the ground. Laureana is now in PO's guard.
Laureana sitting in guard here, content to control.
Laureana trying to control but PO is working from the bottom.
PO trying to control the position.
Laureana wants to pass the guard but PO is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
PO has Laureana pulled in close to control his posture.

Laureana drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but PO manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Laureana has PO in his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
PO won't allow Laureana to sweep him here.
Laureana controls PO momentarily but PO frees himself.
Laureana looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
PO trying to control but Laureana is working from the bottom.
Laureana wants to sweep but no luck.

Laureana had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. PO defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Laureana being controlled here, momentarily.
PO's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
PO wants to control from the top but Laureana keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
PO lands a jab to the nose.
PO rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Laureana counters with a takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
PO is not content to let Laureana control the position.
PO is trying to control Laureana's posture but Laureana avoids it.
PO is trying to improve his position.
PO sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Laureana wants to pass the guard but PO is defending well.
PO trying to control but Laureana postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Laureana trying to control from half guard but PO is working away.
PO is positioning himself well to prevent Laureana advancing to mount.
Laureana is pressing down on PO's thigh, looking to free his foot. PO is holding on for now.
PO 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.

Laureana is trying to work for a kimura but PO is defending well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Laureana is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francisco Antonio Laureana dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

PO moves out of range of the strikes.
Nice takedown defense from PO. No joy for Laureana on that attempt.
PO tries to bum rush Laureana with a series of wild strikes but Laureana uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Laureana drops down looking for a counter takedown but PO sprawls and moves away.
A head kick misses from PO.

Laureana gets the takedown into side control.

Laureana is trying to get an arm triangle but PO is defending well.
You can see the frustration on PO's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laureana trying to control the action but PO is working from the bottom.
PO is trying to improve his position.
Francisco Antonio Laureana overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action here.

Laureana working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Laureana is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. PO knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
PO is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Laureana is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from PO as he works his way to full guard.

That's two 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.
Laureana looking to pass the guard.
Laureana is working hard here to advance position.
PO has control of Laureana's left arm, preventing Laureana from doing any damage.
PO is continuing to stall.
Laureana passes into half guard.
PO trying to hold on to Laureana's head to control him but Laureana postures up.
Laureana trying to control from half guard but PO is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
PO wants to control but Laureana is keeping busy.
PO won't allow Laureana to pass to mount.
PO gets full guard.
Laureana wants to control from the top but PO keeps moving.
Laureana postures up.
Laureana works a leg free and moves into half guard.
PO is trying to control but Laureana passes into side control!

Laureana is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but PO is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Laureana is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, PO has escaped the position, nice work there.
Laureana is looking to take a break and control but PO is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Laureana goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, PO rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Laureana's guard! Nice work there by PO!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Laureana working a defensive guard here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Francisco Antonio Laureana showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Laureana 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Francisco Antonio Laureana!
An out of breath Francisco Antonio Laureana thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.