PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Richie Aprile (ranked 2405 p4p, 3669 weight class) and Burk Lasner (ranked 258 p4p, 373 weight class). 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.

Aprile
vs
Lasner

190 cm
21
270
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
21
280
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Senshi Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Richie Aprile!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Burk Lasner!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Igor Prikhodko and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aprile darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Lasner takes one on the chin but seems OK.
We've been told by Aprile's head coaches at Top of Food Chain that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Lasner avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Aprile throws a jab but it's blocked by Lasner.
Aprile throws a hook but Lasner avoids it easily.

Lasner shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Lasner wants to free his trapped foot but Aprile is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Lasner scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Lasner tries to pass to full mount but Aprile defends it.
Lasner slows the pace down in half guard.
Lasner is stalling here. Aprile is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Lasner seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Aprile has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lasner is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Aprile stands up.
Aprile waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lasner.
Aprile throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lasner dodges the punch combination from Aprile.
Lasner feints the counter takedown.
Aprile throws an overhand right that lands on Lasner's shoulder, as Lasner tries to avoid the shot.
And Lasner tries to counter it with a takedown but Aprile pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Lasner steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Aprile.
Aprile misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lasner.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Aprile coming out on top.
Aprile looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Aprile looks to throw the jab but Lasner is out of range.
Lasner changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Aprile tries to avoid it but Lasner manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Aprile to the ground. Aprile escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lasner takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Aprile scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Lasner moves out of range of the strikes.
Lasner shoots in and drives through. Aprile sprawls well.
Lasner has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A slow jab from Aprile misses its intended target.
Lasner steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Aprile.
Lasner steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Aprile.
Lasner uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Aprile.
Lasner changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Aprile misses.
Lasner doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Richie Aprile seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lasner takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Lasner closes this distance looking for a takedown but Aprile circles away.
Richie Aprile has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Burk Lasner.
Lasner fails to land the takedown.
Aprile throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lasner feints the counter takedown.
Aprile throws an overhand right that lands on Lasner's shoulder, as Lasner tries to avoid the shot.
Lasner feints the counter takedown.
Lasner keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lasner feints the counter takedown.
Aprile jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Aprile throws a jab when Lasner was well out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Aprile. Beautiful body shot.
A lazy left from Aprile finds it's target.
Aprile throws a body shot but no joy.
Lasner changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Lasner moves out of range of the strikes.
Lasner fails with the takedown
letting Aprile counter with a right hand.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lasner.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lasner displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Aprile throws out the jab.
Lasner takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Richie Aprile dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Aprile fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lasner looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Lasner on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Richie Aprile is winning the standup battle so far.
Aprile smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Aprile bobbing and weaving well here. And he's unloaded with a massive right hand that drops Lasner! He dives into his guard looking to finish!

Lasner is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lasner controlling Aprile's posture.
Lasner is still in real trouble! Can Aprile finish him?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lasner looking to hit a scissor sweep but Aprile is one step ahead there.

Aprile stands up from Lasner's guard - Aprile perhaps looking for a knockout.
Aprile fakes the body blow, causing Lasner to drop his hands! Left hook to the temple! Lasner goes stiff, and falls face first into the mat. Goodnight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:38 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Richie Aprile!
During a confident post fight interview, Richie Aprile thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.