PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Karnak Lao (ranked 7536 p4p, 549 weight class) and Svyatoslav Igorevich (ranked 5458 p4p, 471 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Lao
vs
Igorevich

170 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Karnak Lao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Svyatoslav Igorevich!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Columbo Gatti and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Igorevich cracks Lao with a right hand to the side of the head.
Lao throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Igorevich lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Igorevich.
Igorevich throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lao is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Igorevich.
Igorevich fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Lao looks for a takedown but Igorevich sprawls well.
Igorevich lands a really nice looking cross but Lao seems unphased.
Igorevich throws a shot to the body.

Igorevich moves into the clinch.
Lao prevents Igorevich from breaking the clinch.
Lao is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Lao breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lao looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lao on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Igorevich fails to land with a series of punches.
Igorevich scores with a three punch combo!
Igorevich stuffs the takedown.
Igorevich is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Lao with a body shot.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Karnak Lao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No joy there for Lao, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lao tries for a takedown but Igorevich sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Igorevich tries to bum rush Lao with a series of wild strikes but Lao uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Igorevich lands with a shot to the body.
Igorevich lands a really nice looking cross but Lao seems unphased.
Lao takes a swing at Igorevich's ribcage but misses.
Igorevich closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Good standup being displayed there by Igorevich as he connects with a hook.
Igorevich lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Lao fails to land the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Igorevich throws a one two combo.
Lao takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Lao is looking to clinch.
Igorevich throws a nice looking combination but Lao bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Igorevich looks winded!
Lao is looking to clinch but Igorevich is avoiding it.
Despite the aggression on Igorevich's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Igorevich lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lao circles away quickly and effectively.
A left and a right from Igorevich both land. Nice combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lao looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lao fails with the takedown.
Lao looks to throw the jab but Igorevich is out of range.
Igorevich swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Igorevich looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Igorevich shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Lao eats them both and turns towards Igorevich to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Svyatoslav Igorevich is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Igorevich misses with a series of wild punches.
Svyatoslav Igorevich seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lao dives in and grabs Igorevich's left leg, looking for a takedown. Igorevich pushes down on Lao's head and hops out.
Lao dodges the punch combination from Igorevich.
Lao goes for a double leg but Igorevich avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Igorevich continues to drive forward.
Lao tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Igorevich paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lao fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Igorevich looks to land a combination but Lao avoids it well.
Igorevich will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Lao shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Igorevich but Igorevich pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Igorevich throws a combination. Lao tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lao shoots in for a takedown but Igorevich shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Igorevich throws a left and a right that both miss
and Lao counters with a head kick. That will keep Igorevich thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Lao tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Igorevich swivels and escapes.
Igorevich's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Igorevich duly obliges.
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!
Lao tries to land a front kick but Igorevich steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Lao swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Despite the aggression on Igorevich's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Igorevich throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lao walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Igorevich looks to land a combination but Lao avoids it well.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Igorevich leaves Lao with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Igorevich as Lao shoots in.
Igorevich lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Svyatoslav Igorevich dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Igorevich fails to land with a series of punches.
Igorevich misses with a wild combination.
A quick step to the side and Lao tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lao dodges the punch combination from Igorevich.
Igorevich moves out of range of the leg kick from Lao.
Karnak Lao is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Igorevich throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Igorevich misses with a jab, cross combination.
Igorevich fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Igorevich throws a body punch but Lao moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lao throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Igorevich was covering up waiting for the punch and Lao finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Igorevich has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lao slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Igorevich has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Lao off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Igorevich is breathing heavily.
Lao shoots in for a takedown but Igorevich shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lao tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Igorevich was well out of range. Poor timing from Lao.
Igorevich is working the combinations to good effect here.
Igorevich wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lao.
Lao goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Igorevich fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Lao fails with an attempt to clinch.
Danga de danga de dang - Igorevich scores with a four punch combination!
Igorevich scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A punch combination from Igorevich misses.
Svyatoslav Igorevich seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lao tries to clinch there but Igorevich circles away.
Igorevich lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Igorevich connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Igorevich blocks a head kick by Lao.
Lao throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Igorevich's waist but Igorevich gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lao off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Karnak Lao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lao's jab looks to have found its range, popping Igorevich under the eye.

Lao scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Igorevich throws Lao to one side and escapes!
Igorevich misses with a few strikes there.

Lao changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Igorevich looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Igorevich sneaks out the side door and pushes Lao away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Lao throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Igorevich throws a counter combo.

Lao closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lao wants to control but Igorevich is keeping him busy.
Igorevich is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Lao is controlling him well.

Lao decides to stand back up. Lao steps back and let's Igorevich get back to his feet.

Lao closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Igorevich looks like he's trying to stand up.

Lao is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Igorevich doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Lao.
Lao content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lao winds up and cracks Igorevich with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Lao throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Igorevich is trying to stand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Svyatoslav Igorevich showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Igorevich scores with a jab to the head.
Sloppy strikes from Igorevich. Those never looked like landing.
Igorevich throws a combination. Lao tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Lao has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Igorevich misses with a combination

so Lao counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lao trying to control the position from guard on top but Igorevich is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Lao gets to his feet. Igorevich looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Igorevich keeps the fight on the outside.
Igorevich takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
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!
Lao changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Igorevich tries to avoid it but Lao manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Igorevich to the ground. Igorevich escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Lao 's head but he takes it in his stride.
No luck for Lao with that takedown attempt.
Lao shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Igorevich as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Karnak Lao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lao tries for a takedown but Igorevich sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A left lands for Igorevich.

Igorevich moves into the clinch.
Lao looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

Lao breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Igorevich rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lao moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lao tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Igorevich defends well and Lao ends up having to push Igorevich into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Igorevich! But no joy.

Igorevich gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Lao tries to pull guard but Igorevich forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Igorevich prevents the takedown attempt.
Igorevich is trying to break the clinch but Lao is controlling him.
Igorevich tries to break free but Lao pushes him back against the cage.
Igorevich is trying to break the clinch but Lao has him pressed against the cage.
Lao jumps guard but Igorevich stands there with Lao around his waist. Lao gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Lao effectively controlling the action here.
Igorevich trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Igorevich breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Igorevich looks to land a combination. Lao sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Lao gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Igorevich counters with a three punch combo that has Lao backing up. Lao nods at Igorevich to acknowledge the strikes.

Lao darts in and clinches Igorevich up against the cage.
Lao is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Lao breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Igorevich pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Lao back to the cage. Igorevich follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Igorevich lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Igorevich stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Igorevich wants it to stay on the feet.
No joy there for Igorevich, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lao looking to score a takedown here. Igorevich is defending well but Lao drives through and ends up in Igorevich's guard.
Igorevich is looking to stand back up but Lao counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Igorevich.

Svyatoslav Igorevich has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lao looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Igorevich is looking to escape.
Karnak Lao has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Svyatoslav Igorevich is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Lao wants to work for an arm triangle but Igorevich is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Svyatoslav Igorevich comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Igorevich has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Svyatoslav Igorevich!