PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tito Acton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henrik Larsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Henrik Larsson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Acton
vs
Larsson

165 cm
21
140 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

170 cm
23
147 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

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 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tito Acton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Henrik Larsson!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Paulo Santos and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Larsson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Acton shoots for a takedown but Larsson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Larsson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Acton is trying to defend but Larsson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Acton is trying to stand back up but Larsson is controlling him

Acton pushes Larsson off and gets back to his feet.

Larsson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Acton, pushing him back against the cage.
Larsson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Acton blocks it with crossed arms.
Acton lands an elbow inside that Larsson shrugs off.
Larsson working hard to break the clinch.
Larsson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Acton fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Larsson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Larsson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Acton.
Acton wants to clinch
and Larsson counters with a flying knee. Nice.

Acton gets the takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Larsson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Larsson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Acton decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Larsson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Larsson shoots in and bounces Acton off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Acton wants to stand but Larsson is controlling the position.
Acton is breathing heavily.
Larsson passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Larsson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Larsson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Acton is trying to get back to his feet.

Larsson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Acton, who protects the arm well.

Larsson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Larsson swings around for an armbar but Acton sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Larsson's guard.

Acton decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Acton tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Larsson swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tito Acton. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Acton on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Larsson. Larsson obviously looking to wear him down.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Acton.
Larsson manages to get back to half guard.
Acton wants to stand up but Larsson has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Larsson controlling the position well.
Acton wants to stand up but Larsson is controlling the position.

Larsson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Larsson regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larsson has a closed guard, preventing Acton from standing up.
Larsson 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.
Larsson is trying to keep Acton in close.
Acton stopping the sweep attempt from Larsson.

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

and Larsson counters by clinching up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Larsson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Acton backwards.
Acton throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Acton misses with a short punch on the inside.
Acton lands an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Larsson clinches up against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Acton throws an elbow but misses.
Acton throws an elbow but it misses.
Larsson scores with a shoulder strike.
Larsson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Acton.
Acton misses with an elbow over the top.
Larsson tries to break the clinch but Acton is controlling the position.
Acton throws an elbow that misses.
Acton throws an elbow but it misses.
Larsson tries a knee to the head but Acton blocks it.
Acton looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Larsson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Acton blocks it with crossed arms.
Acton pushes Larsson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Larsson lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Acton or not.
Larsson is trying to drag Acton to the mat but Acton just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Acton lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Larsson backwards.
Larsson blocks an elbow strike from Acton.
Larsson landing knees to the head.
Larsson looking to throw knees to the head but Acton is blocking nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Acton throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Larsson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Acton blocks it with crossed arms.
Larsson goes for a takedown attempt but Acton pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Tito Acton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henrik Larsson.
Acton tries to score a power double leg takedown but Larsson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Acton somewhat.
Tito Acton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Acton has managed to clinch.
Larsson scores a nice knee to the body.
Larsson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Acton creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Larsson's defenses.
Acton lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Acton throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Acton gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Acton lands a right hand that snaps the head of Larsson backwards.
A shot in the inside from Acton.
Larsson blocks an elbow strike from Acton.

Larsson jumps into guard, dragging Acton to the mat.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Acton stands up and waves to Larsson to follow him.

Larsson clinches with his opponent.
Larsson lands a good knee to the midsection. Acton won't want to take too many of those.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Larsson as Acton tries to tie him up.
Larsson is trying to maintain a safe position but Acton gets an underhook and turns Larsson into the cage.
Larsson tries to pull guard but Acton won't allow it.
Larsson lands a body shot in the clinch.
Acton is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Larsson wants a takedown.
Larsson is trying to maintain a safe position but Acton gets an underhook and turns Larsson into the cage.
Acton throws an elbow that misses.
Larsson trying to stall but Acton improves his position.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Acton.
Larsson tries to pull guard but Acton holds him up against the cage and eventually Larsson drops back down to his feet.
Acton throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Acton.
Larsson avoids the elbow strike from Acton, against the cage.
Larsson blocks an elbow strike from Acton.
Larsson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Acton lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Larsson tries to pull guard but Acton won't allow it.
Larsson blocks an elbow strike from Acton.
Larsson taking a breather.
Acton misses with an elbow over the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Acton gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Larsson.
Acton creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Larsson's defenses.
Acton lands a damaging elbow.
Acton working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Larsson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Acton blocks an uppercut.
Acton lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Larsson backwards.
Larsson tries to pull guard but Acton holds him up against the cage and eventually Larsson drops back down to his feet.
Acton pushes off an throws an elbow but Larsson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Acton keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Larsson's efforts to push away.
Acton gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Larsson.
Larsson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Acton blocks it with crossed arms.
Acton creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Larsson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Acton avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Acton pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Acton.
Still in the clinch, Larsson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Larsson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Acton walks away with a smile on his face. Larsson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Acton.
Acton tries to stall but Larsson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Larsson can't get the takedown.
Larsson dodges an elbow strike from Acton.
Acton lands a damaging elbow.
Acton just leaning against Larsson, taking a breather.
A short right from Acton on the inside.
Larsson landing knees to the head.
Acton throws an elbow but it misses.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Larsson gets control of Acton's arms and successfully pulls guard. Larsson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Acton wants to stand but Larsson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Acton has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Larsson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Acton doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Acton manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Larsson has a closed guard, preventing Acton from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tito Acton will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Larsson lands with a nice combination. Acton backs away looking to recover.

Larsson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Acton tries to escape but Larsson is in control.
Larsson is looking to take a break and control but Acton is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Acton wants to get back to his feet but Larsson drags him back down.

Larsson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Larsson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Acton is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Larsson is controlling him well.

Larsson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Larsson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Acton is trying to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Larsson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Larsson tries to score with some ground and pound. Acton controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Larsson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Acton sneaks out the side door and pushes Larsson away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Henrik Larsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Acton gets underhooks to prevent Larsson's takedown attempt.
Acton lands a nice elbow.
Larsson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Acton backwards.
Larsson blocks an elbow strike.
Larsson scores with a knee to the head.
Larsson has had enough of the clinch but Acton keeps him there for the moment.
Acton lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Larsson backwards.
Larsson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Acton smiles and moves away.
Acton fails with a takedown attempt.
Larsson tries to close the distance and clinch but Acton swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Larsson lands a head kick. Acton smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Acton shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Larsson counters with a three punch combo that has Acton backing up. Acton nods at Larsson to acknowledge the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larsson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Acton.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tito Acton. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Acton closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Larsson lands with a right to the head.
Larsson with a knee to the head.
Larsson misses with a knee strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Acton.
Larsson scores with a knee to the head.
Acton prevents Larsson from breaking the clinch.
Acton creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Larsson's defenses.
Acton lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Larsson blocks an elbow strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Larsson.
Larsson is trying to break the clinch but Acton has him pressed against the cage.
Larsson misses with a knee to the head.
Larsson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Larsson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Acton backwards.
Acton throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Larssons head.
Acton misses with an elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Larsson manages to break the clinch.
Acton shoots in for a takedown but Larsson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Acton tries to clinch up.
Larsson looks to land a combination. Acton sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Acton has a takedown stuffed.

Larsson closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Acton did well to prevent Larsson getting side control.
Larsson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Acton's head.
Acton is trying to escape back to his feet but Larsson uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Larsson tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Larsson connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Acton some visible discomfort.
Acton is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Larsson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Acton to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Henrik Larsson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Larsson 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29

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