PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Andy Larkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonathan Washington (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andy Larkin looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Larkin
vs
Washington

168 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

174 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Andy Larkin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jonathan Washington!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Washington closes the distance and pushes Larkin back into the cage.
Larkin looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Washington prevents Larkin from breaking the clinch.

Washington manages to pull guard.
Larkin is looking to stand up but Washington won't let him.
Washington has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Washington striking off his back but it's not causing Larkin any problems.
Washington looking for a sweep. Not yet Washington, not yet.
Larkin would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Washington looking to control.
Washington is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Washington pulls Larkin in close to his closed guard and prevents Larkin from doing any damage or advancing position.
Washington wants to sweep but no luck.
Larkin wants to stand but Washington has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Larkin looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larkin plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Washington tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
It appears Larkin was looking to counter with a kick there.
Washington tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Larkin swivels and escapes.
Larkin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sloppy strikes from Larkin. Those never looked like landing.
Larkin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Washington.
A head kick misses from Larkin.
And Washington tries to counter it with a takedown but Larkin pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Andy Larkin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Larkin leaves Washington with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Larkin swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A right-left combo lands from Washington.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Washington is defended easily by Larkin.
Andy Larkin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonathan Washington.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larkin connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Larkin stuffs the takedown attempt from Washington. Washington gets slowly back to his feet.
Larkin lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
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!
Larkin lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Washington at a distance.
Larkin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Larkin takes a swing at Washington's ribcage but misses.
Washington darts in looking for a takedown but Larkin gets double underhooks and turns Washington into the cage.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Washington.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Larkin does no damage.
Washington wants to counter with a clinch but Larkin pushes him away.
Washington keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Larkin.
Washington wants to counter the offense by Larkin and move into the clinch position.
Washington throws a one two combo.
Washington shoots for a double leg takedown but Larkin sprawls well. He's pushed Washington's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Larkin thows a left - swing and a miss!
Larkin lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Larkin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Washington.
Washington steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Larkin. That one must have hurt.
Larkin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Washington tries to counter by closing the distance.
Washington shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Larkin sprawls well. Larkin wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Washington gets slowly back to his feet.
Andy Larkin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Larkin looks to land a left hand but Washington moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larkin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Washington fails with a takedown attempt.
A head kick misses from Larkin.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Washington moves into the clinch successfully.
Larkin working hard to break the clinch.

Washington has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Larkin uses from the top position.

Washington is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Larkin wants to stand but Washington has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Larkin dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Larkin misses with a wild body shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Washington.

Washington closes the distance and clinches.
Washington keeps control of Larkin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Washington manages to pull guard.
Larkin tries to stand but Washington is controlling from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Washington holds on and takes a little breather.
Washington trying to keep a closed guard but Larkin is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Larkin has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Washington is proving hard to escape from.
Washington looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larkin trying to stand up but can't free himself from Washington's guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Andy Larkin is winning the standup battle so far.
Larkin throws a head kick that misses

and Washington counters by moving into the clinch.
Larkin tries to circle away but Washington has him pinned against the cage.
Washington jumps guard but Larkin stands there with Washington around his waist. Washington gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Washington wants a takedown but no success here.
Washington jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Larkin walks away with a smile on his face. Washington gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Andy Larkin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonathan Washington.
Washington avoids the body shot from Larkin.

Washington clinches with his opponent.
Larkin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Washington can do to turn this around?
Larkin is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Washington has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Larkin is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larkin is looking to break free of the clinch but Washington has double underhooks.
Washington keeps control of Larkin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Larkin has had enough of the clinch but Washington keeps him there for the moment.
Washington tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Larkin smiles and moves away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Washington or perhaps it was just good defense by Larkin, which made it look bad.
Larkin fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Washington.

Washington closes the distance and clinches.
Washington tries for a takedown but Larkin manages to get underhooks.
Washington is trying to push Larkin away but Larkin has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Washington has Larkin pressed against the cage, preventing Larkin from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Washington avoiding damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larkin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Washington tries to pull guard but Larkin holds him up against the cage and eventually Washington drops back down to his feet.
Larkin is trying to break the clinch but Washington is controlling him.
Larkin is trying to push Washington away but Washington has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Washington lands a right hand that snaps the head of Larkin backwards.
Larkin is looking to break free of the clinch but Washington has double underhooks.
Washington tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Larkin smiles and moves away.
Some wild striking there from Larkin.
Washington fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Larkin avoids it really well and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larkin slips a straight right by Washington.
Washington is trying hard to land a takedown here. Larkin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Washington slips a straight right by Larkin.
Washington wants to counter with a clinch but Larkin pushes him away.
Larkin misses with a body shot.
Washington avoids the head kick by Larkin.

Washington drives through and clinches with Larkin against the cage.
Washington has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Larkin is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Washington breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Washington uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Larkin.
Larkin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Washington changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jonathan Washington will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Larkin slaps away a takedown attempt from Washington, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Washington throws the kick towards the body but Larkin avoids it.
Washington shoots in and drives through. Larkin sprawls well.
Larkin throws a sloppy head kick

and Washington counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Washington.
Washington looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Larkin is trying to break the clinch but Washington is controlling him.
Washington taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Washington keeps control of Larkin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Larkin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Larkin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Washington tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Andy Larkin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonathan Washington.
Washington leaning against his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Washington pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Washington throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Larkin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Andy Larkin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Larkin scoring well with a low kick there.

Washington has Larkin up against the cage in a clinch.
Washington is trying to pull guard but Larkin turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Larkin has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Jonathan Washington seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Larkin is trying to break the clinch but Washington has him pressed against the cage.
Washington has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Larkin avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Washington keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Larkin's efforts to push away.
Washington tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Larkin smiles and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larkin throws a body punch but Washington moves out of range.
Washington is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Larkin throws a combination that misses
letting Washington counter with a right hand.
Washington ducks under a wild hook from Larkin.

Washington forces Larkin back against the cage and clinches.
Washington keeps control of Larkin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Washington is trying to pull guard but Larkin turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Larkin tries to break free but Washington pushes him back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Washington's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Larkin's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Larkin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Washington avoids a punch combination nicely.
Washington tries to counter by closing the distance.
Washington shoots in for a takedown but Larkin shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
As Washington looks to move away, Larkin throws a big counter combo but Washington just gets out of the way.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Washington takes a kick to the side of the head.

Washington pushes Larkin up against the cage in a clinch.
Larkin has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Larkin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Washington effectively controlling the action here.
Larkin can't break the clinch.
Larkin wants to get back to striking at distance but Washington won't allow it.
Washington is looking to take this one to the mat.
A frustrated look appears on Larkin's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Larkin breaks the clinch.
Larkin throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Washington's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Washington is trying hard to land a takedown here. Larkin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
As Washington looks to move away, Larkin throws a big counter combo but Washington just gets out of the way.
Larkin misses with a kick to the body.

Larkin tries to keep at a distance but Washington has taken the fight into the clinch.
Washington is pushing Larkin up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Larkin wants to break the clinch but can't.
Washington drops down looking for an ankle pick but Larkin pulls his leg out and moves away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Larkin connects with an inside leg kick.
Larkin is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Washington.
As Larkin backs off Washington throws a huge counter combo but Larkin manages to avoid it all.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andy Larkin showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Larkin 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andy Larkin!
Andy Larkin is the new featherweight champion!