PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kurt Larsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gaylord Focker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kurt Larsson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Larsson
vs
Focker

160 cm
23
140 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

172 cm
23
134 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kurt Larsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Gaylord Focker!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Hugh Johnson and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Larsson scores a takedown into full mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Focker is trying to escape the mount.
Larsson tries to control but Focker wriggling away.
Larsson tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.
Focker is looking to get to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Larsson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Focker can't escape the position.
Focker is squirming around, avoiding Larsson's attempts to control the action.
Focker can't escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larsson punching from mount but Focker doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Focker bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Larsson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Focker stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Larsson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Focker throwing strikes from guard but Larsson blocks nicely.
Focker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Focker postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Larsson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Focker, into his guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Larsson trying to control but Focker is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Focker looking for subs off his back but Larsson has passed one foot through into half guard.
Focker wants to improve his position but Larsson is controlling well.
Focker looks gassed!
Larsson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Focker keeps working.
Larsson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Focker keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Focker tries to kick Larsson off but Larsson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Focker wants to improve his position but Larsson is controlling well.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Focker keeps the fight on the outside.

Larsson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Focker to the mat! Focker manages to get full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Focker keeping full guard, as Larsson tries to pass.
Larsson wants to control from the top but Focker keeps moving.

Focker looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Larsson wants to control from the top but Focker keeps moving.

Larsson drops back looking for a leg! Focker is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Focker manages to kick Larsson off! Larsson jumps back into Focker's guard.

Focker throws his legs up looking for a submission but Larsson uses it to pass to side control.
Larsson is looking to take a break and control but Focker is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four 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.
Focker tries to buck Larsson off but Larsson is having none of it.
Larsson passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Focker!
Larsson looking to control but Focker is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Larsson get's back to his feet.
Larsson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Larsson tries for a takedown but Focker sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Focker avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Larsson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Focker!
Focker is trying to stand but he's just given Larsson his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kurt Larsson dominated that round.
That's time! Larsson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Focker closes the distance and pushes Larsson back into the cage.

Focker has clasped his hands together around Larsson's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Larsson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Focker's best efforts.
Focker is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Larsson is working to get back to half guard.
Larsson has given up his back. Will we see Focker going for some submissions?
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Focker.
Larsson rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Larsson trying to control here.

Focker is working for a kimura but Larsson is defending it quite comfortably.
Focker is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Focker trying to advance position but Larsson counters by regaining guard.
Focker postures up.

Larsson had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Focker is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Larsson Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Focker's back instead.
Focker breaks Larsson's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Focker must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Focker trying to control but Larsson is working from the bottom.

Larsson is working an open guard so Focker takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Larsson tries to clinch up

and Focker counters with a nice double leg into side control. Larsson won't be happy with that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larsson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Focker is trying to get an arm triangle but Larsson is defending well.
Larsson is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Focker off and has taken his back!

Larsson looking for the RNC.

Focker manages to escape to his feet.
Larsson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Focker circles away from the clinch attempt

and Focker holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Larsson tries to break the clinch but Focker is controlling the position.
Focker will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Larsson up against the cage.

Focker manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Focker throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Focker looking to hit a scissor sweep but Larsson is one step ahead there.

Larsson stands up and waves to Focker to follow him.
Focker tries to move into range but Larsson moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larsson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Focker scores with a takedown into Larsson's guard.

Focker has gone for a leg lock! Larsson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Focker's guard.
Focker keeping moving, preventing Larsson from controlling successfully.

Larsson stands and steps away. Focker gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Larsson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Focker sprawls well initially but Larsson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Larsson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Focker keeps working.

Larsson stands up from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gaylord Focker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Larsson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Focker at a distance.

Larsson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Focker looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Larsson trying to control the action but Focker is working from the bottom.
Focker prevents Larsson from improving position.
Focker is trying to improve his position.
Focker is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Larsson off and has taken his back!

Focker looking to break Larsson's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Larsson remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Focker will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Larsson manages to reverse the position and now he's in Focker's guard. Nice work there by Larsson.
Larsson wants to pass the guard but Focker is keeping the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Focker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Focker looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Focker working for a triangle but Larsson defends it easily.

Larsson 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.
Larsson trying to control but Focker is working from the bottom.
Larsson preventing the sweep.

That's two 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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Focker misses with a wild combination.
Larsson tries to clinch up

and Focker counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Focker.
Focker passes Larsson's left leg - he's now in half guard.

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

Focker is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Larsson defends it well.
Larsson works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larsson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Larsson is looking to stand up but Focker isn't so interested in that idea.

Focker decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Focker gets a takedown into half guard.
Larsson is not content to let Focker control the position.

Focker is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Focker tries to stand and escape but Larsson actually recovers to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larsson working a defensive guard here.
Focker won't allow Larsson to get back to his feet.
Larsson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Larsson keeping full guard, as Focker tries to pass.

Focker gets to his feet. Larsson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Larsson darts in trying to clinch

and Focker counters with a nice double leg into side control. Larsson won't be happy with that.
Larsson tries to improve position but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gaylord Focker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Focker 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gaylord Focker!