PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Leonard Messi (ranked 3967 p4p, 4370 weight class) and Dalton Laxson (ranked 277 p4p, 0 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.

Messi
vs
Laxson

165 cm
23
145
3 - 0 - 0

162 cm
18
140
3 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Leonard Messi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dalton Laxson!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Taro Takaoka and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Messi shoots in looking for a takedown but Laxson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Messi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Laxson shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Messi manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Messi looking for a guillotine here but Laxson defends easily.
Laxson wants to control from the top but Messi keeps moving.
Laxson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Messi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Laxson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Laxson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Laxson trying to control the position from guard on top but Messi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laxson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Laxson tries for a kimura but Messi is defending well.
Laxson is looking to take a break and control but Messi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Messi regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Laxson is trying to control. Messi wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Messi holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Laxson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Messi doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Laxson.
Messi landing a few short strikes.
Messi trying to control from the bottom.
Messi regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Laxson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Laxson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Messi has his hands on Laxson's head, controlling the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Messi shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Laxson napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Laxson is working to avoid the ground and pound but Messi connects with a decent elbow.
Messi landing strikes.
Laxson tries to bench press Messi off him but Messi keeps the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laxson taking punishment in the form of punches.
Messi landing strikes.
Laxson is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Messi is looking for a kimura but Laxson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Messi to get the leverage.
Messi content to control rather than advance.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Leonard Messi will probably get the nod.
That's time! Messi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Messi closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Laxson did well to prevent Messi getting side control.
Laxson is trying to escape back to his feet but Messi uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Messi is putting a hurting on Laxson here, landing some big shots from side control.
Messi trying to control the action but Laxson is working from the bottom.
Messi controls the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Messi creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Messi trying to control the action but Laxson is working from the bottom.
Messi wants to stand but Laxson has his arm trapped.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Messi stalls from top position.
Leonard Messi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Laxson is looking for a sweep.
Laxson is still trying to improve position.
Laxson taking punishment in the form of punches.
Messi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Laxson can do to turn this around?
Laxson tries to improve position but can't.

That's two 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.

Messi is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Laxson has escaped the position, nice work there.
Laxson is trying to control Messi's posture but Messi avoids it.
Laxson is looking to regain half guard here but Messi keeps moving and retains side control.
Messi scoring with punches and elbows.
Messi wants to stand but Laxson has his arm trapped.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laxson wants to get back to his feet.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Laxson is looking for a sweep.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Messi avoids the head kick by Laxson.

Laxson gets a double leg takedown into Messi's guard.
Laxson is breathing heavily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Messi is on top in guard.

Messi wants to stand but Laxson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messi sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Messi pushing down on Laxson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Messi trying to control the pace.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Messi passes to side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Leonard Messi dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Some wild striking there from Laxson.
Messi is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Laxson.
Laxson fails with a takedown attempt.
Leonard Messi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Messi gets a clinch.
Messi is struggling to control the position.
Laxson stops a takedown attempt from Messi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Messi successfully pulls guard.
Laxson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Messi is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Messi on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Messi tries to get out of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Messi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Laxson defends it easily.
Laxson trying to control the position from guard on top but Messi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Laxson postures up in Messi's guard and throws a big left but Messi blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Messi has his hands on Laxson's head, controlling the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Laxson leaves Messi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Messi shoots in for a takedown but Laxson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leonard Messi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Messi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Laxson swivels and escapes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Laxson missing with a left hand there. Messi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Laxson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Messi.
Laxson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Messi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Laxson appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Laxson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Messi stuffs the takedown attempt from Laxson. Laxson gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Messi darts in and clinches Laxson up against the cage.

Messi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Laxson shoots for a double leg takedown but Messi sprawls well. He's pushed Laxson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Messi rushes Laxson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Messi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice takedown defense from Laxson. No joy for Messi on that attempt.
Horrible takedown attempt by Laxson or perhaps it was just good defense by Messi, which made it look bad.

Messi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Laxson, pushing him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laxson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Laxson takes a knee right on the jaw!

Messi manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Laxson trying to control the position from guard on top but Messi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Messi trying to keep a closed guard but Laxson is proving a slippery customer.

Laxson drops back, looking for a kneebar! Messi looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Messi looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Messi!

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Messi tries to stand but Laxson is controlling his head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leonard Messi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Messi, 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 for Leonard Messi!
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Leonard Messi!
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight for Leonard Messi!

Leonard Messi wins by unanimous decision!