PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thatcher Halverson (ranked 523 p4p, 73 weight class) and Francisco Antonio Laureana (ranked 1330 p4p, 185 weight class). Halverson comes into the arena with Enter Sandman blaring out of the sound system. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Halverson
vs
Antonio Laureana

196 cm
26
200 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

180 cm
28
195 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Fanatic Inc.

Voodoo Nutrition
Red Light Coffeeshop

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Thatcher Halverson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Francisco Antonio Laureana!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Halverson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Laureana shoots in but Halverson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Halverson loads up on a big right hand but Laureana slips the punch.
Laureana uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Halverson.
Laureana misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Halverson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Halverson lands in his opponent's guard.
Halverson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
We've been hearing good reports from Halverson's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Halverson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Laureana has Halverson pulled in close to control his posture.
Laureana looking for a sweep. Not yet Laureana, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laureana keeping full guard, as Halverson tries to pass.
Laureana seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Laureana wants to stand and escape but Halverson is having none of it.
Laureana looking to hit a scissor sweep but Halverson is one step ahead there.
Laureana has control of Halverson's left arm, preventing Halverson from doing any damage.
Halverson advances position into side control!
Halverson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Laureana tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Halverson tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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 is looking for a sweep.
Laureana regains half guard.
Halverson moves nicely into side control.
Laureana struggling a bit here.
Laureana avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Halverson.
Halverson working the ground and pound from side control.
The ground and pound from Halverson seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Laureana is looking for a sweep.
Halverson scores with punches from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halverson with the ground and pound but Laureana regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Halverson trying to control from half guard but Laureana is working away.
Laureana has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Shark Tank MMA. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Laureana keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Laureana punching from the bottom.
Laureana taking some punishment here, with Halverson in his half guard.
Laureana trying to control but Halverson postures up.
Laureana is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Halverson trying to control the action but Laureana is working from the bottom.
Laureana has hold of Halverson's hands but Halverson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Laureana trying to control from the bottom.
Halverson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Laureana knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Halverson sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Halverson wants to control but Laureana is keeping him busy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Halverson trying to advance position but Laureana counters by regaining guard.
Laureana is trying to control the position but Halverson postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thatcher Halverson dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Halverson looks to land a left hand but Laureana moved out of range nicely.
Despite the aggression on Laureana's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Halverson lands a jab to Laureana's midsection.
Halverson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Laureana can do to turn this around?
Nice takedown defense from Halverson. No joy for Laureana on that attempt.
Halverson throws a jab when Laureana was well out of range.
Laureana will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Halverson shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Laureana napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Halverson connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Laureana some visible discomfort.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laureana is looking to regain half guard here but Halverson keeps moving and retains side control.
Laureana is not content to let Halverson control the position.
Laureana is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laureana holds on to Halverson's head and controls the position momentarily.
You can see the frustration on Laureana's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Halverson throws an elbow but Laureana slips to the side and avoids it well.
Halverson scoring with punches from side control.
Halverson tries to score with some ground and pound. Laureana controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Laureana can't do much from the bottom here.
Laureana prevents Halverson from improving position.
Laureana keeps Halverson under control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laureana tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Halverson easily slips into full mount!
Halverson raining down hammerfists from mount.
Laureana really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Halverson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Halverson scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Laureana?
Laureana is in all sorts of trouble here.
Halverson working the ground and pound effectively.
Halverson trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laureana working to try and regain half guard.
Halverson dominating with strikes here.
Halverson with shots to the head and body - Laureana looks very uncomfortable down there.
Halverson tries to control but Laureana wriggling away.
Laureana regains half guard.
Halverson is thwarting Laureana's attempts to control the position.
Halverson working over Laureana with some ground and pound. Laureana looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Laureana slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Laureana kicks Halverson off and gets to his feet.

Laureana decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Laureana with the ground and pound but Halverson uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Laureana passes Halverson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Laureana trying to pass the guard but Halverson defending well.
Laureana tries to stand but can't do so whilst Halverson controls his leg.
Halverson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Laureana wants to free his trapped foot but Halverson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thatcher Halverson dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Laureana ducks under a wild hook from Halverson.
Halverson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Laureana counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Laureana.
Laureana holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Halverson has Laureana pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Laureana manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Laureana drags the fight down to the ground.
Halverson working some strikes from top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laureana wants to sweep but no luck.
Halverson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Halverson passes Laureana's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Halverson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halverson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Halverson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Halverson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Laureana defending well though.
Laureana is trying to get back to full guard.
Laureana taking some punishment here, with Halverson in his half guard.
Laureana is trying is best to control the position here.
Halverson is trying to control the action in half guard but Laureana is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Halverson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Laureana controlling the position for now.
Halverson working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Laureana's thigh. Laureana counters though and makes it back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Halverson trying to control but Laureana is working from the bottom.
Laureana pulls Halverson in close to his closed guard and prevents Halverson from doing any damage or advancing position.

Halverson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Laureana has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Halverson has managed to get both his arms back between Laureana's legs - danger averted.
Laureana is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Halverson is controlling him.
Halverson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Laureana swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Laureana has his hands on Halverson's head, controlling the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halverson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Halverson shoots in for a takedown but Laureana shows good takedown defense.
Laureana wants to counter the offense by Halverson and move into the clinch position.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thatcher Halverson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Halverson misses with a straight left.
Laureana shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Halverson pinned against the cage. Halverson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
An attempted straight right counter from Halverson misses the target.
Laureana tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Halverson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Laureana gets the takedown into side control.
Halverson gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laureana is keen to just control but Halverson is a slippery customer.
Laureana throws a strike but Halverson avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Halverson working a defensive guard here.

Halverson working for a triangle but Laureana defends it easily.
Halverson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Laureana manages to get himself to full guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Thatcher Halverson did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

Halverson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Laureana defends it nicely.

Laureana shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Halverson napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Halverson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Halverson's face as Laureana controls the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Laureana is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Halverson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Halverson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Laureana decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Halverson scores with a nice head shot.
Nice straight punches there by Halverson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Halverson.

Laureana feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Halverson wants to sweep here but Laureana controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laureana trying to control but Halverson is working from the bottom.
Halverson wants to sweep but no luck.
Halverson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Laureana.

Laureana stands up and waves to Halverson to follow him.
Halverson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Laureana tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Halverson swivels and escapes.
Laureana tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Halverson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Laureana steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Halverson.
Laureana tries to counter by closing the distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laureana shoots in for a takedown but Halverson shows good takedown defense.
Laureana steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Halverson.

Laureana gets caught napping as Halverson dives in and scores a takedown. Laureana manages to retain guard.
Halverson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Laureana being controlled here, momentarily.
Halverson with a nice head shot there.
Halverson wants to pass the guard but Laureana is keeping the position.
Halverson prevents Laureana from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laureana tries to strike from the bottom.
Halverson stopping the sweep attempt from Laureana.
Laureana throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Halverson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Laureana keeping moving, preventing Halverson from controlling successfully.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Halverson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Halverson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Thatcher Halverson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Halverson landing with the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Laureana holds on and takes a little breather.
Laureana tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Thatcher Halverson will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Halverson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Halverson just misses with a punch to the body.

Laureana forces Halverson back against the cage and clinches.
Halverson is trying to break the clinch but Laureana is controlling him.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Laureana as Halverson tries to tie him up.
Halverson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Laureana misses with a hook to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Halverson can't get the takedown.

Laureana breaks the clinch.
A head kick by Laureana misses
and Halverson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Francisco Antonio Laureana seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Laureana tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halverson misses with an uppercut. Laureana saw that one coming.

Halverson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Laureana quickly recovers to half guard.
Laureana tries to roll over but Halverson keeps him under control.
Halverson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Halverson working the head and body with strikes.
Halverson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Laureana wants to improve his position but Halverson is controlling well.
Laureana is in trouble now - Halverson has advanced to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Halverson landing strikes, looking to finish!
Laureana is bucking up trying to escape but Halverson cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Halverson dominating with strikes here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Halverson with the ground and pound from mount.
Halverson avoids the attempt from Laureana to control.
Halverson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Laureana is looking to escape.
Laureana sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laureana desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Halverson is keen to just control but Laureana is a slippery customer.
Halverson works his way into side control.
Halverson working away.
Laureana tries to get back to half guard but can't.
You can see the frustration on Laureana's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's four 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.
Halverson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Laureana keeps working.
Laureana is trying to control Halverson's posture but Halverson avoids it.
Halverson working the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Halverson tries to advance to mount but can't.
Francisco Antonio Laureana has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Laureana is working to avoid the ground and pound but Halverson connects with a decent elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thatcher Halverson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Halverson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 50:45
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 50:46
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thatcher Halverson!
Francisco Antonio Laureana spoke after the fight, saying 'Cant believe this has happened, im going to look at the game plan and make sure next fight will be different'.