PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Fernando Padilla (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Danny Lapuerte (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Danny Lapuerte will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Padilla
vs
Lapuerte

208 cm
18
151 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

183 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Fernando Padilla!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Danny Lapuerte!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Jeff Smith and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lapuerte throws a nice looking combination but Padilla bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Lapuerte scoring well with a low kick there.
Lapuerte scores with a three punch combo!
Lapuerte feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Padilla's calf.
Lapuerte fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Padilla pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Lapuerte moves into the clinch.
Padilla tries to pull guard but Lapuerte forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Padilla really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Lapuerte breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lapuerte closes this distance looking for a takedown but Padilla circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Padilla looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lapuerte throws a combination. Padilla tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Lapuerte closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lapuerte manages to break the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Padilla as Lapuerte shoots in.
Fernando Padilla has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Danny Lapuerte.
Padilla misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Padilla on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Lapuerte. Lapuerte obviously looking to wear him down.

Lapuerte closes the distance and clinches.
Padilla has Lapuerte pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Lapuerte manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Padilla jumps guard but Lapuerte turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Padilla is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Lapuerte to keep the fight standing.
Padilla is trying to pull guard but Lapuerte turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Padilla tries to pull guard but Lapuerte forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Lapuerte pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lapuerte throws a sloppy head kick and Padilla moves out of range easily.
Lapuerte misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Padilla.
Padilla throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lapuerte lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Padilla circles away quickly and effectively.
Padilla is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Lapuerte.
Sloppy strikes from Lapuerte. Those never looked like landing.
Lapuerte lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Lapuerte pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lapuerte misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Padilla tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Lapuerte manages to circle out of the way.
Lapuerte looks winded!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Padilla slaps away a takedown attempt from Lapuerte, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Padilla has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Lapuerte.
A low kick from Lapuerte misses

and Padilla counters by clinching up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Padilla tries to pull guard but Lapuerte won't allow it.
Padilla is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Lapuerte pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Padilla goes for a takedown attempt but Lapuerte pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Padilla stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Padilla wants it to stay on the feet.
Lapuerte connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Lapuerte throws a leg kick
and Padilla counters with a left and a right that stings Lapuerte.

Lapuerte fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Padilla, pushing him back against the cage.
Padilla has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Lapuerte after a bit of a struggle.

Lapuerte jumps into guard, dragging Padilla to the mat.
Padilla scoring with punches to the head and body.
Lapuerte is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lapuerte is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Padilla throws a big elbow that misses.
Padilla with a flurry of punches that miss.
Padilla won't allow Lapuerte to get back to his feet.
Padilla scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Padilla working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Lapuerte's head.
Padilla throws a big right hand that misses.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Padilla loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danny Lapuerte dominated that round.
That's time! Padilla's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Padilla slips a jab and a cross from Lapuerte.
Padilla checks the leg kick nicely there.
Lapuerte throws a leg kick but Padilla sees it coming and moves out of range.
Padilla changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Lapuerte connects with an inside leg kick.
Padilla throws a sloppy head kick and Lapuerte moves out of range easily.
Padilla throws a head kick but Lapuerte moves out of range.
Lapuerte fails to land with a series of punches.
Padilla seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Lapuerte lands with a right hand.
Lapuerte throws a leg kick which misses Padilla's front leg but catches the back leg as Padilla tries to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Padilla slips a jab and a cross from Lapuerte.
Lapuerte is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Lapuerte pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lapuerte is breathing heavily.

Lapuerte moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Padilla ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Padilla no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Lapuerte missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Padilla wants to stand but Lapuerte is controlling the position.
Padilla pulls Lapuerte in close to his closed guard and prevents Lapuerte from doing any damage or advancing position.
Padilla is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Padilla trying to control the position.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Padilla holds on and takes a little breather.
Padilla controls Lapuerte momentarily but Lapuerte frees himself.
Lapuerte trying to control the position from guard on top but Padilla is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Padilla seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Lapuerte wants to slow Padilla down by chopping away at his legs.
A low kick from Lapuerte is predictable there

and Padilla moves into the clinch.

Padilla ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Padilla no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Lapuerte 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.
Padilla trying to keep a closed guard but Lapuerte is proving a slippery customer.
Padilla has a closed guard, preventing Lapuerte from standing up.
Padilla has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Padilla working for a triangle but Lapuerte defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lapuerte loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Padilla keeping moving, preventing Lapuerte from controlling successfully.
Padilla trying to control the position.
Lapuerte must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Padilla tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lapuerte controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Padilla is controlling Lapuerte's posture.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Lapuerte works over Padilla's head and body with a nice combination.
Lapuerte fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Padilla has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Danny Lapuerte seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Lapuerte. Those never looked like landing.
Padilla leaves Lapuerte with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Padilla is looking to counter the offense by Lapuerte and move into the clinch.
Lapuerte will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Lapuerte attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Padilla tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A nice inside leg kick there by Lapuerte. That's going to slow Padilla down.
Lapuerte throws a leg kick but Padilla checks it.
Padilla is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Lapuerte.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lapuerte misses with a two punch combination.
Lapuerte avoids the head kick by Padilla.
Lapuerte lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Padilla circles away quickly and effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danny Lapuerte showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Lapuerte clinches up against the cage.

Padilla manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Padilla trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Lapuerte controlling from the top position.
Padilla has his hands on Lapuerte's head, controlling the position.
Padilla utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Padilla 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.
Padilla controlling the position.
Padilla 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.
Padilla controls Lapuerte momentarily but Lapuerte frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Padilla is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Lapuerte has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Padilla pulls Lapuerte in close to prevent any damage.
Lapuerte showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Padilla working a defensive guard here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Padilla is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Lapuerte tries for a takedown but Padilla circles away easily

and Padilla counters by clinching up.

Lapuerte breaks from the clinch.
Lapuerte dives in for a single leg takedown but Padilla sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Padilla checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Padilla is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Lapuerte.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lapuerte clinches.
Padilla has Lapuerte pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Lapuerte manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Lapuerte breaks the clinch.
Danny Lapuerte seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice combination there by Lapuerte.
Lapuerte with a poor takedown

and Padilla counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Padilla.
Fernando Padilla has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Danny Lapuerte.
Padilla tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lapuerte smiles and moves away.
Fernando Padilla is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Padilla tries a head kick but it misses.
Lapuerte throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Lapuerte tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Padilla drops down looking for a counter takedown but Lapuerte sprawls and moves away.
Padilla tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lapuerte tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Padilla is able to avoid easily.
Padilla seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Padilla tries a head kick but it misses.
Lapuerte misses with the combination.
Padilla throws a head kick that misses.
Lapuerte misses with a jab, cross combination.
Padilla looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Lapuerte scoring well with a low kick there.

Lapuerte has Padilla up against the cage in a clinch.
Padilla jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Lapuerte walks away with a smile on his face. Padilla gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Padilla misses with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lapuerte has closed the distance and engaged Padilla in a clinch.
Padilla tries to pull guard but Lapuerte forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Lapuerte misses with a knee to the head.

Lapuerte breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lapuerte throws a head kick that half lands.
Lapuerte throws an overhand right that lands on Padilla's shoulder, as Padilla tries to avoid the shot.
Lapuerte misses with a low kick.
Lapuerte looks to land a body kick but Padilla moved away.
Padilla keeps Lapuerte at a distance using the push kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Padilla bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Lapuerte wants to get back to his feet but Padilla is dominant here and he's now got Lapuerte's back!

And that's the end of the fight!
Danny Lapuerte comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lapuerte winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 26:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 26:30
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Danny Lapuerte!