PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between James La Grande (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aengus Dubhlainn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). La Grande's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Gemini Club-Sparklers. Dubhlainn comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Shinedown - Sound Of Madness kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Aengus Dubhlainn will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

La Grande
vs
Dubhlainn

186 cm
19
179 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

186 cm
21
177 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Urban Fighter
Mohito Fightwear

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 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, James La Grande!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aengus Dubhlainn!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Colin Fotheringham and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
La Grande fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Dubhlainn fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt La Grande.
La Grande shoots in and drives through. Dubhlainn sprawls well.
A countering left hand to the body from Dubhlainn misses.
Dubhlainn throws a nice outside leg kick.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dubhlainn lands a nice shot to the body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Dubhlainn.

That's one minute gone in the round.
La Grande chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Dubhlainn can pounce on him.
Dubhlainn throws a leg kick which misses La Grande's front leg but catches the back leg as La Grande tries to avoid it.
Dubhlainn looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Dubhlainn rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but La Grande moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dubhlainn dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
La Grande avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Dubhlainn throws a leg kick which misses La Grande's front leg but catches the back leg as La Grande tries to avoid it.
Good leg kick by Dubhlainn there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Dubhlainn closes the distance but La Grande moves to the side

and La Grande counters with a shoot takedown. Dubhlainn fights it but they end up in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
La Grande wants to control from the top but Dubhlainn keeps moving.
Dubhlainn pulls La Grande in close to prevent any damage.
Dubhlainn utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

La Grande postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Dubhlainn is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of La Grande, into his guard.

La Grande has his foot on Dubhlainn's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Dubhlainn works his way back into a safe position though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

La Grande looking for a guillotine here but Dubhlainn defends easily.
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.

La Grande has his foot on Dubhlainn's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Dubhlainn works his way back into a safe position though.
La Grande seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Dubhlainn engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

La Grande looking for a guillotine here but Dubhlainn defends easily.

La Grande is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Dubhlainn defends well.
Dubhlainn is stalling in the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
La Grande tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dubhlainn sitting in guard here, content to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

La Grande looking for a guillotine here but Dubhlainn defends easily.
Dubhlainn has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of La Grande is proving hard to escape from.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aengus Dubhlainn dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Dubhlainn moves into the clinch.
La Grande jumps guard but Dubhlainn turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
La Grande tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
La Grande is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Dubhlainn is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James La Grande. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Dubhlainn breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dubhlainn has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Dubhlainn with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
La Grande looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
La Grande on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Dubhlainn. Dubhlainn obviously looking to wear him down.
James La Grande is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot by Dubhlainn.
Dubhlainn throws a nice inside leg kick.
Dubhlainn throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and La Grande decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Dubhlainn's guard.
La Grande trying to control but Dubhlainn is working from the bottom.

La Grande is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Dubhlainn is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Dubhlainn has escaped and now he's on top!

La Grande is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Dubhlainn is aware though and is defending well.
La Grande being controlled here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Dubhlainn has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Dubhlainn thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Dubhlainn got a little sloppy there for a moment and La Grande has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Dubhlainn has managed to get both his arms back between La Grande's legs - danger averted.

La Grande looking for subs off his back but Dubhlainn has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dubhlainn is pressing down on La Grande's thigh, looking to free his foot. La Grande is holding on for now.

La Grande looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

La Grande is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Dubhlainn pulls his head out easily.
Still in half guard, Dubhlainn seems content to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dubhlainn's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
La Grande is looking for a sweep. Dubhlainn is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Dubhlainn scores with a decent looking hook.
A good leg kick by Dubhlainn.
Some wild striking there from Dubhlainn.
Dubhlainn connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between La Grande's hands.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
La Grande throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Dubhlainn's waist but Dubhlainn gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing La Grande off to one side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aengus Dubhlainn showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Dubhlainn is looking to chop away at La Grande's legs.
Dubhlainn connects with a leg kick. La Grande looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Dubhlainn fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and La Grande has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Aengus Dubhlainn seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dubhlainn paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Dubhlainn lands a slapping body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

La Grande scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
La Grande trying to control from half guard but Dubhlainn is working away.
Dubhlainn is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dubhlainn gets full guard.
La Grande stopping the sweep attempt from Dubhlainn.

Dubhlainn looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Dubhlainn avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
La Grande trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
La Grande advances to half guard.

La Grande is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
La Grande prevents Dubhlainn from improving his position.
Dubhlainn works his way to full guard. Good work.
Dubhlainn not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dubhlainn is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and La Grande defends well.
La Grande wants to control from the top but Dubhlainn keeps moving.

La Grande has gone for a leg lock! Dubhlainn slips out almost immediately though and dives into La Grande's guard.
James La Grande overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

La Grande is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Dubhlainn is aware though and is defending well.
Dubhlainn is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Dubhlainn forces his way into half guard.

Dubhlainn is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Dubhlainn blocks the strikes from La Grande.
Aengus Dubhlainn is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Dubhlainn content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

La Grande looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
La Grande is looking for a sweep. Dubhlainn is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Dubhlainn lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Dubhlainn misses with a double jab.
As Dubhlainn looks to move away, La Grande throws a big counter combo bu Dubhlainn just gets out of the way.
Dubhlainn throws a nice inside leg kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Dubhlainn darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
La Grande walks into a stiff left hand from Dubhlainn.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
La Grande shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Dubhlainn but Dubhlainn pushes him off and we're back to square one.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aengus Dubhlainn comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Dubhlainn 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aengus Dubhlainn!
A victorious Aengus Dubhlainn thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.