PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Erik Larsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yair Lopez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yair Lopez is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Larsson
vs
Lopez

210 cm
22
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
185 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Erik Larsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Yair Lopez!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Larsson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Lopez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Larsson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
You can see the frustration on Lopez's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Lopez is trying to improve his position.
Larsson is looking to take a break and control but Lopez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Larsson is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Lopez will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Larsson wants to control but Lopez is keeping him busy.
Lopez is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larsson has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Larsson working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Larsson prevents Lopez from getting the reversal.
Lopez looks gassed!
Larsson controlling the pace for now.
Lopez keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

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.

Larsson wants to finish this one by submission but Lopez is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Larsson.
Larsson breaks from Lopez's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Larsson working Lopez over with strikes here.
Larsson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larsson prevents Lopez from getting the reversal.

Larsson stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Larsson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lopez circles away.
Larsson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Lopez avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Larsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Larsson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lopez is fending him off so far but Larsson persists. Nope, Lopez circles away and we're back to standing.
Lopez has his takedown stuffed

and Larsson counters by clinching up.
Lopez is trying to drag Larsson to the mat but Larsson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larsson trying to land knees to the body.
Larsson taking a breather.

Lopez has Larsson pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Lopez pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Larsson tumbling to the mat - Lopez dives into Larsson's guard.
Lopez wants to pass the guard but Larsson is keeping the position.
Larsson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Larsson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Larsson pulls Lopez in close to his closed guard and prevents Lopez from doing any damage or advancing position.
Larsson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erik Larsson dominated that 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.

Larsson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Larsson trying to pass the guard but Lopez defending well.
Lopez is looking for a sweep. Larsson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Larsson is trying to control. Lopez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Lopez blocking the ground and pound attempt from Larsson.
Lopez is looking for a sweep. Larsson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Lopez is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopez throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Larsson clinches up with Lopez and pushes him back against the cage.
Larsson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Lopez pulls his leg out and moves away.
Larsson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Lopez counters with a shoot takedown. Larsson fights it but they end up in guard.
Larsson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

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

Larsson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lopez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Lopez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopez trying to control but Larsson is working from the bottom.

Lopez drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Larsson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Lopez has Larsson in his guard.
Larsson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Lopez is proving hard to escape from.
Larsson 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lopez lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Larsson!
Larsson is wriggling around trying to escape.

Lopez has control of Larsson's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Larsson regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Lopez avoids the attempt from Larsson to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Larsson blocking the ground and pound.
Larsson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Larsson is squirming around, avoiding Lopez's attempts to control the action.
Larsson holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Lopez tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Lopez throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yair Lopez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Larsson tries for a takedown but Lopez circles away easily

and Lopez counters with a nice double leg into side control. Larsson won't be happy with that.

Lopez is trying to get an arm triangle but Larsson is defending well.
Larsson struggling a bit here.

Lopez swings around for an armbar but Larsson sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Lopez's guard.
Larsson wants to stand but Lopez is controlling his posture from full guard.

Lopez is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lopez throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Larsson escapes and throws Lopez's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Lopez is trying to improve his position.

Larsson stands up.
Larsson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's two 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.
Larsson shoots in looking for a takedown. Lopez tries to sprawl out of it but Larsson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Lopez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Larsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lopez fails with the takedown

and Larsson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Lopez's guard.
Lopez wants to sweep here but Larsson controlling him for the moment.
Lopez is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Larsson trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lopez is trying to control. Larsson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Larsson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lopez on the ground.
Lopez throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Lopez is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Larsson reverses the position - he's now on top in Lopez's guard.

Lopez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Larsson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

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.
Lopez trying to keep a closed guard but Larsson is proving a slippery customer.

Lopez is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Larsson is aware though and is defending well.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Larsson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Lopez to the mat! Lopez manages to get full guard.

Lopez has his foot on Larsson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Larsson works his way back into a safe position though.
Lopez doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Lopez looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Larsson passes into half guard.

Lopez actively working from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Erik Larsson.
I think Larsson 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Erik Larsson!