PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Matt Lauzon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juan Verelea (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Lauzon
vs
Verelea

176 cm
18
170 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

180 cm
22
175 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

Forbidden Apple

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Matt Lauzon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juan Verelea!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some wild striking there from Lauzon.
Lauzon takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

It looks like Matt Lauzon has been cut.
Verelea bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Lauzon's head backwards.
Lauzon avoids the body shot from Verelea.
Verelea swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Lauzon counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Verelea scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A nice combination there by Lauzon.
Verelea connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Lauzon's hands.

Lauzon shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Verelea looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lauzon is one step ahead there.
Lauzon wanted to stand there but Verelea had control of the position.
Lauzon tries to free his leg and advance position but Verelea is retaining full guard.
Verelea looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verelea is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Lauzon sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Verelea's guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Verelea manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Verelea looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Lauzon wants to stand and escape but instead Verelea has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Verelea makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Lauzon looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Verelea trying to control but Lauzon is working from the bottom.
Verelea landing with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verelea wants to control from the top but Lauzon keeps moving.
Verelea postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Lauzon keeping full guard, as Verelea tries to pass.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Lauzon drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Lauzon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Verelea misses with a jab, cross combination.
Verelea tries to bum rush Lauzon with a series of wild strikes but Lauzon uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Verelea looks gassed!
Verelea misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Lauzon counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A shot to the body from Verelea misses

and Lauzon counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Lauzon.
Lauzon blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lauzon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lauzon fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Verelea swings widly with a right hand

and Lauzon counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Lauzon is keen to just control but Verelea is a slippery customer.
Verelea is looking for a sweep. Lauzon is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Verelea gets full guard.
Lauzon throwing strikes but missing.
Lauzon trying to control the position from guard on top but Verelea is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Verelea looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lauzon is one step ahead there.
Lauzon trying to control the position from guard on top but Verelea is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Verelea ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lauzon moves away.
Verelea just misses with a punch to the body.
Verelea throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Lauzon moves into the clinch.
Verelea lands a hook that snaps the head of Lauzon backwards.
Lauzon prevents Verelea from breaking the clinch.
Verelea has had enough of the clinch but Lauzon keeps him there for the moment.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lauzon.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lauzon.
Verelea tries to break the clinch but Lauzon is controlling the position.
Verelea misses with a punch on the inside.
Verelea goes for a takedown attempt but Lauzon pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Verelea misses the shot to the body.
Lauzon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lauzon throws a series of punches but Verelea avoids them all with ease.
Verelea scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Lauzon doesn't seem bothered though.
Verelea misses with a series of wild punches.
Verelea throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Juan Verelea will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Matt Lauzon's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Verelea swings away with a body shot that misses
and Lauzon counters with a two punch combo.
Verelea lands a nice shot that snaps Lauzon's head back.
A left and a right from Verelea both land. Nice combination.
Verelea throws a left and a right that both miss

and Lauzon counters with a single leg into guard. Verelea didn't expect that.
Verelea is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Verelea wants to hit a switch here but Lauzon passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Verelea there!
Verelea tries to hold on but Lauzon pushes him away.

Lauzon is standing up, even though he is in mount.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lauzon.
Verelea lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Matt Lauzon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lauzon throws a nice looking combination but Verelea bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lauzon throws a left and a right that both miss
and Verelea counters with a nice body shot.
Lauzon takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Lauzon misses with a straight right.
Verelea throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Lauzon counters with a nice leg kick.
Juan Verelea is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Verelea misses with a series of wild punches.
Verelea is breathing heavily.
Verelea misses with a few strikes there.
Lauzon connects with a crisp jab.
Verelea throws a body punch but Lauzon moves out of range.
Verelea misses with a body shot.
Verelea scores with a one two! Lauzon had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Juan Verelea seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Lauzon moves into the clinch successfully.
Verelea is trying to break the clinch but Lauzon has him pressed against the cage.

Lauzon manages to pull guard.
Lauzon utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Verelea is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Lauzon is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Lauzon has escaped and now he's on top!
Lauzon wanted to stand there but Verelea had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verelea pulls Lauzon in close to his closed guard and prevents Lauzon from doing any damage or advancing position.
Verelea tries to land a sweep but no joy.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Verelea is on top in guard.
Verelea seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Verelea lands a couple of elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verelea preventing the sweep.
Verelea works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Verelea connects with a nice short shot to Lauzon's temple.
Verelea wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lauzon keeps working.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Verelea escapes and gets back to his feet.
Verelea thows a body shot but no joy.
Verelea smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Lauzon is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Verelea.

Lauzon is rocked!
Verelea drops Lauzon with a big left hand and mounts him. Lauzon is in big trouble!
Oh Lauzon is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Lauzon working to try and regain half guard.
Lauzon is in a horrible position here. Verelea smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Verelea cracks Lauzon with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lauzon can't escape the position.
Lauzon seems to have got his legs back now.
Verelea wants to control the pace but Lauzon is squirming around nicely.
Lauzon tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Verelea wants to control the pace but Lauzon is squirming around nicely.
Lauzon takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Verelea throws some wild stikes that Lauzon manages to avoid easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lauzon is looking to get to half guard.
Lauzon is squirming around, avoiding Verelea's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Verelea showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Matt Lauzon's cut.
That's time! Lauzon's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Lauzon throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nice defenses there by Lauzon.
Verelea throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Lauzon counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Verelea is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Verelea throws a sloppy body shot

and Lauzon counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Lauzon prevents Verelea from breaking the clinch.

Lauzon breaks from the clinch.
Verelea thuds his right hand into Lauzon's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Verelea throws an off balance right hand
and Lauzon counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Verelea thinking.
Verelea misses with a hook

so Lauzon counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Verelea pulls Lauzon in to control the position.
Lauzon lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Verelea uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Lauzon thows a body shot but no joy.
Verelea misses with an uppercut

and Lauzon counters with a nice double leg into side control. Verelea won't be happy with that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lauzon looks up at the clock and then as Verelea takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Lauzon smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Verelea manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verelea gets full guard.
Verelea lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Lauzon!
BOOM! Verelea connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Lauzon is in a horrible position here. Verelea smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Verelea has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Verelea controlling the position easily from mount.
Verelea landing strikes from the mount and Lauzon is in trouble!
Verelea putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Verelea looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Verelea lands a big shot there that rocks Lauzon but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verelea landing strikes from the mount and Lauzon is in trouble!
Verelea is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Lauzon can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Verelea landing punches.
Verelea putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Lauzon tries to hold on but Verelea postures up.

Verelea jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Lauzon is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Lauzon and Verelea has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Verelea fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Lauzon gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Verelea thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lauzon lands with a few short shots to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lauzon is trying to maintain the position but Verelea is very close to passing his half guard.
Lauzon regains full guard. Nicely done.
Verelea wanted to stand there but Lauzon had control of the position.
Verelea stopping the sweep attempt from Lauzon.
Lauzon keeping moving, preventing Verelea from controlling successfully.
Verelea landing some decent shots from guard.
Verelea sitting in guard here, content to control.
Lauzon trying to control the position.

That's four 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.
Verelea pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lauzon is keeping the position for now.
Matt Lauzon overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Verelea trying to control the position from guard on top but Lauzon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Verelea passes into half guard.
Verelea drops an elbow to the side of Lauzon's head.
Verelea uses his free foot to push down on Lauzon's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Lauzon.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Verelea putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Matt Lauzon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Verelea looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Verelea is in the full mount, landing strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juan Verelea comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Verelea winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juan Verelea!