PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Donnie Larkin (ranked 2465 p4p, 3854 weight class) and Oscar Oscarsson (ranked 319 p4p, 446 weight class). Oscarsson comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Pain - Shut Your Mouth kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Larkin
vs
Oscarsson

181 cm
29
188
8 - 2 - 0

180 cm
28
191
12 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary
MKFC

Chester

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Donnie Larkin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Oscar Oscarsson!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Shimada and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Larkin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Oscarsson throws out the jab.
Oscarsson misses with a hook. Larkin ducked under it nicely.
Larkin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Oscarsson as he jumps to the side.

Larkin looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Oscarsson keeping moving, preventing Larkin from controlling successfully.
Oscarsson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Larkin controls the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Larkin is pushing down on Oscarsson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Oscarsson is fighting to maintain full guard but Larkin has managed to sneak the leg through.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Larkin missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Larkin throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Larkin.
Oscarsson wants to get back to his feet.
Oscarsson felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Larkin thows a huge punch but Oscarsson dodges it nicely.
Oscarsson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Larkin.
Larkin slips a nice elbow through Oscarsson's hands, connecting with Oscarsson's forehead.

Larkin seems to be looking for submissions.

Larkin is working for a submission of some sort.
Larkin looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larkin passes to side control.
Larkin is looking to take a break and control but Oscarsson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Larkin wants to control for a moment but Oscarsson uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Larkin throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Oscarsson to regain full guard.
Larkin controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Larkin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Oscarsson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Larkin is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larkin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Oscarsson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Larkin sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Larkin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Oscarsson being controlled here, momentarily.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

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.
A slow jab from Oscarsson misses its intended target.

Larkin closes the distance and clinches.
Larkin blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Larkin ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Larkin no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Oscarsson wants to stand but Larkin is controlling his posture from full guard.
Larkin wants to sweep but no luck.
Larkin has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Oscarsson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Larkin is proving hard to escape from.

Oscarsson stands up and waves to Larkin to follow him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donnie Larkin dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Larkin is looking to clinch but Oscarsson is avoiding it.
Oscarsson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Larkin doesn't seem bothered though.
Larkin swats away the attempt to clinch by Oscarsson.
Larkin circles away from the clinch attempt.
Larkin fails with a takedown attempt.
Larkin walks into a stiff left hand from Oscarsson.
Larkin blocks a jab.
Oscarsson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

It looks like Donnie Larkin has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Oscarsson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Larkin manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Larkin slips a straight right by Oscarsson.
Larkin walks into a straight right hand from Oscarsson.

Larkin shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Larkin was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Oscarsson wants to get back to his feet but Larkin drags him back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larkin working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Larkin wants to take a breather but Oscarsson manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Larkin.
Larkin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Oscarsson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Larkin engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Larkin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Oscarsson wants to get back to his feet but Larkin is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Larkin engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Larkin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Oscarsson wants to get back to his feet but Larkin is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Oscarsson is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Larkin trying to control but Oscarsson is working from the bottom.
Oscarsson can't keep his opponent in guard - Larkin advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Larkin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larkin trying to mount his opponent but Oscarsson defends it.
Larkin is keen to just control but Oscarsson is a slippery customer.

Larkin is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Larkin thows a huge punch but Oscarsson dodges it nicely.
Larkin thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Oscarsson's head.
Larkin is pressing down on Oscarsson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Oscarsson is holding on for now.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's four 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.
Oscarsson connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Larkin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Larkin drives through with a takedown into Oscarsson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Larkin wants to pass the guard but Oscarsson is keeping the position.
Larkin throws a big elbow that misses.
Larkin wants to pass the guard but Oscarsson is keeping the position.
Larkin pushes down on Oscarsson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Larkin thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Oscarsson's head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Larkin takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Donnie Larkin will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Donnie Larkin's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Larkin shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Larkin slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Oscarsson is trying to get back to his feet.
Larkin postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Larkin in side control, throwing shots but Oscarsson defends.
Larkin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Oscarsson keeps working.
Oscarsson is pushing Larkin's head away, looking to escape. Larkin manages to hold on to the position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Larkin content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Larkin is putting a hurting on Oscarsson here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larkin taking a breather here.
Larkin's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Larkin throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Larkin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Oscarsson keeps working.
Oscarsson dodges the ground and pound from Larkin.

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

Larkin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Oscarsson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Larkin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Oscarsson keeps working.
Oscarsson dodges the ground and pound from Larkin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oscarsson prevents Larkin from moving into mount.
Larkin throws a strike aimed at the side of Oscarsson's head but Oscarsson avoids it well.
Larkin throws a strike aimed at the side of Oscarsson's head but Oscarsson avoids it well.

Larkin working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Larkin is looking to take a break and control but Oscarsson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Oscar Oscarsson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Oscarsson is pushing Larkin's head away, looking to escape. Larkin manages to hold on to the position though.

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.
Larkin misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Larkin misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Donnie Larkin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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

Larkin tries for a kimura but Oscarsson is defending well.
Larkin connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Oscarsson some visible discomfort.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Oscarsson being controlled for a moment.
Larkin throwing shots but missing, from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Donnie Larkin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Larkin, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:26
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Donnie Larkin!
After winning the bout, Donnie Larkin thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
Oscar Oscarsson was interviewed post fight and said 'He was the better fighter this time. You win lose, and you some some.'.