PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ron Paul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hans Lankari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Lankari's choice of entrance music: AC/DC - Thunderstruck. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Paul
vs
Lankari

172 cm
31
135 lbs
12 - 11 - 0

177 cm
35
142 lbs
17 - 22 - 0

Powerful takedowns
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

HERITAGE Threads

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 12 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ron Paul!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Hans Lankari!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Daniel Blasius and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paul stuffs the takedown.
Lankari throws a one two combo.

Lankari gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Paul just misses with a elbow thrown towards Lankari's brow.
Lankari wants to break the clinch but can't.
Lankari stalling in the clinch but Paul improves position.
Lankari avoids a wild elbow strike from Paul.
Lankari tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Paul smiles and moves away.
Lankari misses with a takedown attempt - Paul sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ron Paul has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hans Lankari.

Paul gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Paul lands an elbow that stopped Lankari in his tracks for a moment.
Lankari has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Paul is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Lankari drags the fight down to the ground.

Lankari pushes Paul off and gets back to his feet.
Hans Lankari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Lankari drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lankari looking to pass the guard.
Paul wants to stand up but Lankari is controlling him.

Lankari gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Lankari with a lazy takedown attempt

and Paul counters by moving into the clinch.
Paul creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Lankari gets control of Paul's arms and successfully pulls guard. Lankari will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Paul postures up in Lankari's guard and throws a big left but Lankari blocks it.
Lankari is trying to keep Paul in close.
Paul wants to control from the top but Lankari keeps moving.
Lankari controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Paul drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Paul jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lankari working for a triangle but Paul defends it easily.
Lankari wants to get back to his feet but Paul is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Lankari working for a triangle but Paul defends it easily.
Paul stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lankari swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paul got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lankari has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Paul has managed to get both his arms back between Lankari's legs - danger averted.
Paul throws a big right hand that misses.
Paul trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Paul has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Paul passes Lankari's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Paul is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Lankari sees it coming and defends easily.
Lankari makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Lankari.
Paul tries to free his leg and advance position but Lankari is retaining full guard.
Lankari 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.
Lankari is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lankari throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lankari is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Lankari looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Paul throwing strikes from guard but Lankari blocks nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Paul postures up in Lankari's guard and throws a big left but Lankari blocks it.
Paul looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hans Lankari dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lankari gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Lankari keeping full guard, as Paul tries to pass.
Paul throws a big right hand that misses.
Paul wants to pass the guard but Lankari is keeping the position.
Lankari trying to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paul landing some decent shots from guard.
Lankari looking to control.
Lankari is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lankari trying to keep a closed guard but Paul is proving a slippery customer.
Lankari keeping full guard, as Paul tries to pass.
Lankari working a defensive guard here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lankari misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Paul.

Paul moves into range and clinches up with Lankari.
Paul misses with an elbow over the top.
Paul trying to land knees to the body.
Paul lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Paul creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Lankari has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Paul avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Paul has a couple of punches blocked by Lankari.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paul trying to land knees to the body.
Lankari jumps guard but Paul turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Lankari takes an elbow to the forehead.
Lankari fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Ron Paul has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hans Lankari.

Lankari breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Paul stops a takedown attempt from Lankari.
Paul lands a good knee to the midsection. Lankari won't want to take too many of those.
Lankari goes for a takedown attempt but Paul pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Lankari has taken the fight to the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Paul throws an elbow but it misses.
Paul comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Paul misses with an elbow strike.
Paul throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Lankari blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Paul.

Lankari jumps into guard, dragging Paul to the mat.
Paul postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Paul trying to control the position from guard on top but Lankari is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Lankari has his foot on Paul's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Paul works his way back into a safe position though.
Lankari keeping moving, preventing Paul from controlling successfully.
Paul looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Lankari keeping moving, preventing Paul from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lankari keeping full guard, as Paul tries to pass.

Lankari is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Lankari not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Lankari has his hands on Paul's head, controlling the position.
Lankari is trying to control the position but Paul postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ron Paul is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Paul moves into the clinch successfully.
Lankari is trying to push Paul away but Paul has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ron Paul dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Paul staying out of range there.

Lankari closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Lankari has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Paul avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Lankari is looking for a takedown.
Lankari wants a takedown.
Ron Paul has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hans Lankari.
A head punch on the inside from Lankari fails to land.
Paul misses with an elbow over the top.
Paul missing with knees to the body.
Lankari lands a right hand that snaps the head of Paul backwards.
Lankari blocks the elbow strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paul is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Lankari is defending well for now.
Paul lands an elbow just above Lankari 's eye.
Lankari wants to take the fight to the mat but Paul manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Lankari avoiding damage as Paul throws knees to the body.

Lankari decides to pull guard.
Paul forces his way into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul stops Lankari from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are battling for position here. Lankari manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Paul drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Paul jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Lankari working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Paul doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Paul manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Paul trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Paul engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Paul is pushing down on Lankari's leg trying to pass to half guard. Lankari is fighting to maintain full guard but Paul has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Lankari is refusing to be controlled, as Paul sits in half guard.
Paul passes to full mount!
Paul is landing with some decent strikes but Lankari is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Lankari is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

Paul goes for an armbar but Lankari turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Lankari.
Lankari controls from within his opponent's guard.

Lankari decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Paul, up you get!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lankari gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Paul gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Lankari regains guard.
Paul wants to pass the guard but Lankari is keeping the position.
Lankari is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Lankari stands up out of the half guard.
Lankari is trying hard to land a takedown here. Paul sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Paul connects with a high kick.
Paul scores with a kick to the midsection.
Lankari misses with a takedown attempt

and Paul counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Paul.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lankari goes for a takedown in the clinch but Paul prevents it.
Lankari takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Paul blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Paul trying to stall but Lankari improves his position.
Paul has Lankari pressed against the cage, preventing Lankari from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Paul misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lankari.
Lankari looking for a takedown.
Lankari blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lankari avoiding damage as Paul throws knees to the body.
Lankari tries to break free but Paul pushes him back against the cage.
Lankari tries to pull guard but Paul won't allow it.
Lankari takes a knee right on the jaw!
Lankari has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Paul after a bit of a struggle.
Paul is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Lankari blocks the elbow strike.
Paul lands a damaging elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ron Paul showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Paul has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ron Paul!