PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gun Nero (ranked 2587 p4p, 4338 weight class) and Richard Laithwaite (ranked 268 p4p, 388 weight class). Gun Nero has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Nero
vs
Laithwaite

175 cm
25
153
6 - 0 - 0

173 cm
25
151
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Brooklyn Threads
HELLBENT

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 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gun Nero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Richard Laithwaite!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Wesley Smith and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nero misses with a low kick.
Nero shoots for a takedown but Laithwaite saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nero looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nero looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Laithwaite is fending him off so far but Nero persists. Nope, Laithwaite circles away and we're back to standing.
Laithwaite tries to clinch up but Nero circles away and keeps his distance.
Some bone on bone action there as Nero checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

Nero drives through with a takedown into guard.
Nero lands a couple of digs.
Nero trying to control the position from guard on top but Laithwaite is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nero working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Laithwaite's head.
Laithwaite utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nero is working Laithwaite over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Nero won't allow Laithwaite to sweep him here.
Nero lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Nero throws an elbow that misses. Laithwaite uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nero's guard. Nice move by Laithwaite!

Laithwaite pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nero is keeping the position for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Laithwaite preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nero had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Laithwaite defends it easily.

Nero working for a triangle but Laithwaite defends it easily.
Laithwaite content to stall in guard here.
Laithwaite looking to pass the guard.

Nero is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laithwaite looking to pass the guard.
Laithwaite slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Nero is not content to let Laithwaite control the position.
Nero is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Nero manages to get back to half guard.
Laithwaite is thwarting Nero's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laithwaite is trying to control the action in half guard but Nero is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Nero is looking for a sweep. Laithwaite is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nero is working hard here to advance position.
Laithwaite works his foot free and advances to mount.
Nero is wriggling around trying to escape.

Laithwaite working for a submission but Nero is keeping him at bay.
Nero is trying desperately to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laithwaite can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Nero is looking to escape.
Nero wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Nero rolls, trying to escape but Laithwaite keeps control of the position.

Laithwaite working from the back looking to end the fight with a rear naked choke. Nero is doing well to defend. Laithwaite seems to have got his hand under the chin though and he's sunk the choke in! Nero is forced to tap and this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Richard Laithwaite!