PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ragnar Bjarnason (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igor Laponov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Laponov has chosen Oxxxymiron - Where we don't have as his entrance music. Ragnar Bjarnason had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Bjarnason
vs
Laponov

177 cm
25
145 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

172 cm
26
150 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ragnar Bjarnason!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Igor Laponov!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Bart Greer and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bjarnason is defended easily by Laponov.
Bjarnason moves out of range as Laponov throws a body kick.
Bjarnason fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Laponov avoids it really well and circles away.
Laponov has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Bjarnason is trying hard to land a takedown here. Laponov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ragnar Bjarnason. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Laponov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Laponov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Laponov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Bjarnason to the ground. Laponov is now in Bjarnason's guard.
Laponov trying to control the position from guard on top but Bjarnason is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bjarnason utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bjarnason keeping moving, preventing Laponov from controlling successfully.
Laponov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Laponov throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laponov throws a big right hand that misses.
Laponov throwing strikes but missing.
Bjarnason punching from the bottom.
Laponov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Laponov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Laponov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bjarnason keeps working.
Laponov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Laponov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Bjarnason knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Bjarnason knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Laponov on the ground.
Laponov fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Bjarnason is not content to let Laponov control the position.
Bjarnason is trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Laponov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Laponov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Laponov fails to land a wild elbow strike.

Laponov tries for a kimura but Bjarnason is defending well.

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

Laponov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Bjarnason, who protects the arm well.

Laponov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Bjarnason knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Bjarnason on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Bjarnason tries to get out of the position.

Laponov is trying to get an arm triangle but Bjarnason is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bjarnason is trying to control Laponov's posture but Laponov avoids it.

Bjarnason throws a punch from the bottom, which has left him a bit exposed here… Laponov has an arm triangle now. This could be big trouble for Bjarnason. He's out! He's out cold! The ref pulls Laponov off and Laponov celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:42 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Igor Laponov!
A very excited looking Igor Laponov made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.