PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joaquim Antunes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel Larusso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Larusso is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Glory of love. Daniel Larusso has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Joaquim Antunes's chin.

Antunes
vs
Larusso

175 cm
28
155 lbs
19 - 8 - 0

170 cm
26
140 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Joaquim Antunes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Daniel Larusso!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Atkins and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Larusso. Antunes does a little dance to reset his feet.
Antunes fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Antunes checks a leg kick nicely.
Larusso fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Antunes is out of range.
Antunes throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Antunes ducks under a wild hook from Larusso.
Larusso is looking to score with low kicks.
Antunes tries to counter with a takedown but Larusso is quick to defend against it.
Larusso throws a hook but Antunes avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Larusso misses with a head kick.
Antunes tries to counter with a takedown but Larusso is quick to defend against it.
Larusso takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Some bone on bone action there as Larusso checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Larusso connects with an inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larusso throws a looping overhand right but Antunes ducks down to avoid it.
Antunes throws a big shot that misses.
Larusso throws a leg kick that misses.
A lazy left from Larusso finds it's target.
Larusso thows a left - swing and a miss!
Antunes tries to counter with a takedown but Larusso is quick to defend against it.
Nice sprawl there from Larusso as Antunes shoots in.
Antunes throws a lazy uppercut
and Larusso counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Larusso checks a leg kick.
Antunes moves away from the strike by Larusso.
Larusso tests Antunes's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Daniel Larusso is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Larusso throws a head kick that half lands.
Larusso throws a sloppy head kick and Antunes moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Antunes misses with a looping left.
Larusso stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Larusso wants it to stay on the feet.
Larusso swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Larusso has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joaquim Antunes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Antunes looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A jab from Antunes misses.
Larusso is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Antunes.
Antunes will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Larusso throws a hook to the side of Antunes's head but Antunes sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Larusso lands with a kick to the temple. Antunes shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Larusso scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Antunes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Larusso throws out the jab.
Antunes moves out of range of the body kick from Larusso.
Antunes stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Larusso.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Antunes throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Antunes connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Larusso momentarily.
Larusso throws an off balance right hand

and Antunes decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Larusso's guard.
Antunes throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Antunes working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Antunes throws a strike but Larusso rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Larusso must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Antunes not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Larusso wants to get up but he can't break Antunes's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Larusso got a little sloppy there for a moment and Antunes has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Larusso has managed to get both his arms back between Antunes's legs - danger averted.
Larusso wants to stand but Antunes has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Antunes is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Larusso wants to get up but he can't break Antunes's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Antunes has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Antunes had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Larusso defends it easily.

Antunes looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Antunes wants to sweep but no luck.
Larusso trying to control the position from guard on top but Antunes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Antunes looking to hit a scissor sweep but Larusso is one step ahead there.
Antunes is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Antunes thows a huge punch but Larusso dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Larusso dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A big right from Antunes misses.
Larusso displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Antunes throws out the jab.
Antunes slips a jab from Larusso.
Larusso takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Larusso throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Larusso uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Larusso swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Larusso scores with a crisp jab that stopped Antunes in his tracks.
A swing and a miss from Larusso.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick misses from Antunes.
A jab from Antunes does it's job there.
Larusso has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Larusso lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A big right from Larusso misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Antunes throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Larusso thinks about the counter body kick.
Antunes missing with a left hand there. Larusso was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Larusso misses with an attempted mid kick.
Antunes feinted with a counter takedown.
Larusso throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Good exchange - Antunes coming out on top.
Larusso leaves Antunes with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Antunes misses with a looping left.
Daniel Larusso seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Larusso ducks under a wild hook from Antunes.
Larusso bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Antunes avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Antunes tries to counter with a takedown but Larusso is quick to defend against it.
Larusso clobbers Antunes with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Antunes closes the distance and clinches up with Larusso, looking for a takedown. Antunes pushes Larusso against the cage but Larusso circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Larusso misses with a head kick.
Antunes takes one to the side of the head.
A bone on bone clash there as Larusso blocks the leg kick.
A big left from Antunes misses.
Larusso looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Larusso looks to land a left hand but Antunes moved out of range nicely.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Antunes throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Larusso's waist but Larusso gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Antunes off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joaquim Antunes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Antunes slips a straight right by Larusso.
Larusso chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Larusso with a nice cross.
Antunes slips a straight right by Larusso.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larusso throws a leg kick

and Antunes counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Larusso manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Antunes with a poor takedown
and Larusso counters with a nice uppercut.
Antunes is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Larusso.
A big left from Antunes misses.
A clash of legs there as Antunes blocks the low kick.
Antunes drops down looking for a counter takedown but Larusso sprawls and moves away.
Antunes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Antunes steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Larusso.
Antunes throws a chopping leg kick but Larusso manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Larusso misses with an uppercut

so Antunes counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Larusso utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Antunes is working Larusso over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Antunes prevents Larusso from getting back to his feet.
Larusso has momentary wrist control but Antunes slips an elbow through the middle.
Larusso not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Antunes postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Antunes lands a couple of elbows.
We've been hearing good reports from Antunes's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Antunes working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Antunes missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Larusso looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Antunes trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Antunes is looking to work some ground and pound but Larusso has wrist control.
Larusso utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Antunes postures up in Larusso's guard and throws a big left but Larusso blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Larusso showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Antunes throws an off balance right hand
and Larusso makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Larusso takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Larusso looks to throw a body kick

and Antunes counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Larusso has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Antunes lands a couple of elbows.
Antunes loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Antunes throws a strike but Larusso rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Antunes 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.
Antunes is working hard here to advance position.
Larusso wants to stand and escape but instead Antunes has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larusso looking to hit a scissor sweep but Antunes is one step ahead there.
Larusso keeping moving, preventing Antunes from controlling successfully.
Antunes postures up and lands a big shot to Larusso's brow.
Larusso looking for a sweep. Not yet Larusso, not yet.
Antunes with a nice head shot there.
Larusso wants to stand and escape but Antunes is having none of it.
Antunes throws an elbow that misses. Larusso uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Antunes's guard. Nice move by Larusso!

Antunes is trying to control the position but Larusso postures up.
Joaquim Antunes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Antunes working for submissions but it's allowed Larusso to get to half guard.
Well, if Larusso is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Antunes gets full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Antunes is on top in guard.

Antunes postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Antunes slips nicely into half guard.
Antunes is nestled in close to Larusso, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larusso wants to control but Antunes is keeping busy.
Antunes looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Antunes working the head and body with strikes.
Antunes not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Antunes misses with a head shot. Larusso uses the momentum to regain guard.
Antunes with a flurry of punches that miss.
Larusso avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Antunes with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Antunes with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Antunes content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Antunes throws a big elbow that misses.
Antunes won't allow Larusso to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Antunes throws an elbow that misses. Larusso uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Antunes's guard. Nice move by Larusso!

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Antunes looking for a sweep. Not yet Antunes, not yet.
Antunes is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Antunes is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Daniel Larusso is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Larusso manages to get to full guard.
Antunes working some strikes from top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joaquim Antunes showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Larusso has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 28:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daniel Larusso!
Our winner, Daniel Larusso, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.