PBP Commentary

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

POPO
vs
Laidlaw

170 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

175 cm
25
129 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Acelino POPO!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kyle Laidlaw!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Mauricio Rocha and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Laidlaw doesn't manage to clinch there - POPO circles away.
Laidlaw fails to land with a series of punches.
POPO scores with a hook.
A left lands for POPO.
Laidlaw is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Laidlaw will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Laidlaw gets the takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on POPO's face as Laidlaw controls the position.
Laidlaw's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Laidlaw misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Laidlaw looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
POPO can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
POPO is being controlled here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
POPO struggling a bit here.
Laidlaw trying to control the position but POPO is working away.
Laidlaw throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Laidlaw throws a head kick that misses.
POPO with a lazy takedown attempt
and Laidlaw counters with a lovely shot to the body.

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.

Laidlaw shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
POPO wants to control but Laidlaw is having none of it.
POPO tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Laidlaw lands a big elbow.
Laidlaw tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Laidlaw in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
POPO is breathing heavily.
POPO really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
A nice elbow there by Laidlaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Laidlaw wants to finish this one by submission but POPO is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Laidlaw.
Laidlaw content just to control the position here.
POPO avoids a series of strikes thrown by Laidlaw.
POPO is looking to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Laidlaw trying to control but POPO is having none of it.
POPO is looking to improve his position but Laidlaw isn't that keen on the idea.
BOOM! Laidlaw connects with a massive shot to the dome!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Laidlaw throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Laidlaw misses with a takedown attempt

and POPO counters with a nice double leg into side control. Laidlaw won't be happy with that.
POPO tries to move to mount but Laidlaw blocks the move with his legs.
Laidlaw is trying to get back to half guard.

POPO looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
POPO throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
POPO wants to control but Laidlaw is keeping him busy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Laidlaw stops POPO from passing to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
POPO throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Laidlaw can't do much from the bottom here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Laidlaw is trying hard to land a takedown here. POPO sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Laidlaw shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and POPO counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Acelino POPO has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kyle Laidlaw.
POPO is in close to Laidlaw's body, working some short punches and elbows.
POPO trying to control the position from guard on top but Laidlaw is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Laidlaw has POPO pulled in close to control his posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
POPO tries to free his leg and advance position but Laidlaw is retaining full guard.
POPO trying to control the position from guard on top but Laidlaw is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
POPO with a nice head shot there.
POPO stands and throws Laidlaw's legs to the side, diving into side control.
POPO working away.

POPO in side control, working for a kimura. He's got hold of an arm and he's torquing it... Laidlaw is tapping! That's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:01 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Acelino POPO!