PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Pako Laine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andre Souza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Laine comes to the cage accompanied by Nikke Ankara - Värifilmi. Souza comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Brazil National Anthem kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Laine
vs
Andre Souza

174 cm
28
149 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

165 cm
26
145 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

PED Nutrition
Perkele!

PED Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pako Laine!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Andre Souza!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Valeri Chadov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Souza takes a swing at Laine's ribcage but misses.
Souza lands with a shot to the body.
A big left from Souza misses.
Laine scores with a jab to the body.

Laine moves into the clinch successfully.
Souza lands with a left to the head.
We've been hearing reports that Laine has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Laine tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Souza lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Laine blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Souza swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Souza misses with some punches.
Souza lands a left hand that snaps the head of Laine backwards.

Laine breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Laine throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Laine throws a leg kick
and Souza counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Laine takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Souza displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Laine throws out the jab.
Laine blocks the body kick.
Laine throwing a counter right hand but Souza manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laine loads up on a big right hand but Souza slips the punch.
Laine thows a left - swing and a miss!
Laine lands the left hand.
Laine gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Souza.
Souza connects with a solid leg kick.
Jab, jab by Souza - just one landing.
Souza moves in looking to clinch but Laine pushes him off.
Laine lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Laine looks to land a left hand but Souza moved out of range nicely.
Laine connects with an inside leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Laine.
Souza scores with a leg kick.
Souza thuds his right hand into Laine's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Souza with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Laine to score with a decent uppercut.
Laine tries to bum rush Souza with a series of wild strikes but Souza uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Souza scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Souza throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Souza checks a leg kick.
Souza flicks out a counter leg kick but Laine steps away.
Souza keeps Laine at a distance using the push kick.
Laine fails to land with a series of punches.
Pako Laine is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Souza scores with a jab to the jaw.
Laine works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Souza throws a leg kick but Laine sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Laine dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheers as Souza lands an impressive looking overhand right. Laine doesn't seem phased though.
Laine fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
The fighters circling - Laine throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The fighters circling - Souza throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Souza throws an overhand right that lands on Laine's shoulder, as Laine tries to avoid the shot.
Laine misses with a looping right.
Souza steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Laine keeps the fight on the outside.
Laine throws out a loose jab but Souza uses good head movement to avoid it.
Souza unleashes a big counter combination but Laine bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Laine moves out of range of the body kick from Souza.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Souza tried to score with a low kick but Laine checks it.
Laine throws a solid leg kick but Souza takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Laine.
Souza thinks about the counter body kick.
Souza takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Souza lands a jab to Laine's midsection.
Laine sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Laine connects with a high kick.
Souza lands a jab to Laine's midsection.
Laine blocks the body kick.
Laine swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A combination from Souza does no damage.
Laine misses with a kick to the body.
Souza goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Souza throws a good cross that connects.
Pako Laine seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Laine misses with a lunging right hand
and Souza counters with a leg kick.
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!
Souza dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Laine avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Souza tries to keep at a distance but Laine has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Souza misses with a punch on the inside.

Laine breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Souza misses with a hook.
The fighters circling - Souza throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Souza lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Laine at a distance.
Laine misses with an uppercut.
Laine doesn't manage to clinch there - Souza circles away.
It seemed like Souza was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Souza checks the leg kick.
Laine misses with a jab to the body
and Souza counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Laine scores with a three punch combo!
A looping hook to the body misses from Laine. Souza does a little dance to reset his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A big right from Laine misses.
Laine is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Souza.
Laine throws a leg kick but Souza checks it.
Souza looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Laine scores with a one two! Souza had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Andre Souza will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Souza shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Souza is trying to control the action in half guard but Laine is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Laine trying to control but Souza postures up.

Souza is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Souza trying to mount his opponent but Laine defends it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Souza trying to work for an americana but Laine has managed to regain full guard.
Laine working a defensive guard but Souza passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Souza is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Laine doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Souza.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Souza is working for a kimura but Laine is defending it quite comfortably.
Laine is pressing down on Souza's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Souza working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Souza controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Laine is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Souza defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Laine is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Souza is aware though and is defending well.
Souza pushes down on Laine's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Laine is not content to let Souza control the position.

Souza is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Laine has managed to free his arm - good work.
Souza uses his free foot to push down on Laine's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Laine.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Souza with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Souza sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Laine is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Laine defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Souza.
Laine tries to hold on but Souza postures up.

That's four 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.

Souza moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Laine has worked his arm free - good work by Laine!
Souza is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Laine will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

Souza goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Laine rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Souza's guard! Nice work there by Laine!

Souza working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Laine doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Laine manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Laine looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andre Souza showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Souza throws an overhand right that lands on Laine's shoulder, as Laine tries to avoid the shot.
Souza slips under a jab.
Souza jabs Laine right on the nose. Laine blinks but takes it well.
Souza throws a jab but it's blocked by Laine.
The crowd cheers as Laine lands an impressive looking overhand right. Souza doesn't seem phased though.
Souza tries to close the distance and clinch but Laine swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
As Souza backs away, Laine returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Laine loads up on a big right hand but Souza slips the punch.
Laine scores with a leg kick.
Souza keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

Laine darts in and clinches Souza up against the cage.
Souza fails to pull guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Souza struggles to land a body shot inside as Laine controls his hands.
Laine throws a knee to the head but misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Souza.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Souza.
Souza tries a body shot but Laine blocks it.
Souza lands a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souza tries to score a body lock takedown but Laine shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Laine tries a knee to the head but Souza blocks it.
Souza wants a takedown but no success here.
Pako Laine has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andre Souza.
Laine tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Souza avoids it.
Souza takes a knee right on the jaw!
A left hand lands to the body for Souza.
Souza working aggressively here.
Laine lands a right hand.
Laine lands with a light punch inside.
Pako Laine has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Souza drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Laine throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Laine.
Laine lands with a right to the head.
Laine pushes Souza back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laine lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Souza backwards.
Souza digs a right hand underneath Laine's ribcage. Laine let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Souza pulls Laine into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Laine wants to control from the top but Souza keeps moving.

Souza looking for a guillotine here but Laine defends easily.

Souza working for submissions but it's allowed Laine to get to half guard.
Souza moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Souza is looking for a triangle but Laine pushes his legs off easily.
Souza trying to keep a closed guard but Laine is proving a slippery customer.
Laine trying to control the position from guard on top but Souza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Laine is stalling in the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Laine pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Souza is keeping the position for now.

Souza throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Laine escapes and throws Souza's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Souza is trying to control Laine's posture but Laine avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pako Laine clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A kick lands to the mid section there for Laine.

Souza gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Souza.
Souza drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Laine gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Laine throws a punch but it's blocked by Souza.
Laine misses with a knee to the head.
Souza has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Laine avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A short uppercut from Laine.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laine trying to land knees to the body.
Souza looking for a takedown.
Pako Laine has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andre Souza.
Souza misses with the head strike.

Souza is trying to trip Laine. He has hold of a leg but Laine is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Souza persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Laine trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laine keeping moving, preventing Souza from controlling successfully.
Laine trying to control the position.

Laine is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Souza defends well.
Souza wants to control from the top but Laine keeps moving.
Andre Souza has got the better of the ground game so far.

Souza avoids a guillotine attempt 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.
Laine keeping full guard, as Souza tries to pass.
Souza passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Laine is looking for a sweep.
Laine tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Laine tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Souza can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Laine is looking to escape.
Laine is looking to improve his position but Souza isn't that keen on the idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Souza wants to finish this one by submission but Laine is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Souza.
Laine regains half guard.
Souza is trying to control. Laine wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Laine trying to control from the bottom.
Laine is staying active underneath Souza, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Souza moves nicely into side control.
Laine is looking to reverse the position.
Laine can't do much from the bottom here.
Laine is trying to get back to half guard.

Souza tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Souza laying and praying for a moment but Laine takes advantage and regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andre Souza dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Laine takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Laine enables Souza to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Laine manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Souza trying to control but Laine is working from the bottom.

Laine throws his legs up looking for a submission but Souza uses it to pass to side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Laine is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Souza looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Laine is looking for a sweep.
Laine is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Souza off and has taken his back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Souza looking very determined here, making life difficult for Laine.
Souza can't escape the position.
Pako Laine has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Souza preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Laine.
Laine doesn't have the hooks in and Souza manages to turn into his guard.

Laine has his foot on Souza's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Souza works his way back into a safe position though.
Souza pushing down on Laine's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Souza is trying to work for a kimura but Laine is defending well.

Souza is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Laine doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Souza.

Souza is working for a submission of some sort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laine gets full guard.

Laine has his foot on Souza's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Souza works his way back into a safe position though.
Souza stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Laine swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Laine is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Souza trying to control but Laine is working from the bottom.
Souza might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Laine haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Souza is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Andre Souza is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Souza thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andre Souza comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Souza has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 47:49
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 46:49
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andre Souza!
Andre Souza is the new featherweight champion!
In his post fight interview, Andre Souza started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.