PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Louis St Laurent (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Via Dios (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). St Laurent comes to the cage accompanied by HateBreed - I will be heard. The crowd seem to be enjoying Dios's choice of entrance music: Sandstorm. Via Dios told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

St Laurent
vs
Dios

173 cm
23
138 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
141 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Louis St Laurent!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Via Dios!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Alec Ball and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dios looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
St Laurent lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Dios backs up against the cage.
Jab from St Laurent.
Dios checks a low kick from St Laurent.
Dios dodges the punch combination from St Laurent.
Dios dodges the punch combination from St Laurent.
St Laurent misses with a series of wild punches.
Dios fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dios fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Louis St Laurent has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Via Dios.

Dios feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

St Laurent is looking for a triangle but Dios pushes his legs off easily.
Dios wants to pass the guard but St Laurent is keeping the position.
Dios trying to control but St Laurent is working from the bottom.
Dios is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

St Laurent has his foot on Dios's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Dios works his way back into a safe position though.
Dios looking to pass the guard.
St Laurent wants to sweep here but Dios controlling him for the moment.
Dios passes St Laurent's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Dios is tying to control. St Laurent wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
St Laurent wants to improve his position but Dios is controlling well.
St Laurent is working hard here to advance position.
St Laurent moves into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dios tries to free his leg and advance position but St Laurent is retaining full guard.

St Laurent has his foot on Dios's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Dios works his way back into a safe position though.
Dios throws a big right hand that misses.
Dios wants to pass the guard but St Laurent is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dios lands a couple of elbows.
Dios throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as St Laurent works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

St Laurent had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Dios is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. St Laurent Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Dios's back instead.
St Laurent is breathing heavily.
St Laurent scores with punches from the back.
St Laurent doesn't have the hooks in and Dios manages to turn into his guard.
St Laurent looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Dios sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed St Laurent's guard.

Dios is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
St Laurent makes his way to full guard. A much better position for St Laurent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dios accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Dios is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

St Laurent is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
St Laurent might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Dios pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. St Laurent is keeping the position for now.
St Laurent thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Dios throws and elbow that misses. St Laurent uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Dios's guard. Nice move by St Laurent!

St Laurent has gone for a leg lock! Dios slips out almost immediately though and dives into St Laurent's guard.

Dios has gone for a leg lock! St Laurent slips out almost immediately though and dives into Dios's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dios throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Dios has momentary wrist control but St Laurent slips an elbow through the middle.
St Laurent is working Dios over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

St Laurent is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Dios preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dios wants to sweep here but St Laurent controlling him for the moment.

Dios had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. St Laurent is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Dios Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take St Laurent's back instead.
St Laurent is keeping busy.

Dios looking for the choke but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Louis St Laurent will probably get the nod.
That's time! St Laurent's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

St Laurent fails to land with a series of punches.
Dios shoots in for a double leg but St Laurent sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A swing and a miss from St Laurent.
St Laurent swinging wilding here.
St Laurent throws a head kick that misses.
Dios misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
St Laurent throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A right-left combo lands from St Laurent.
St Laurent throws a right hand that Dios ducks under and follows up with a left that Dios also avoids with ease.
St Laurent lands with a nice combination. Dios backs away looking to recover.

That's one minute gone in the round.
St Laurent looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Left hook, right uppercut from St Laurent.
St Laurent misses with the combination.
Dios moves away from the strike by St Laurent.

Dios fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. St Laurent sprawls well initially but Dios persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Dios is breathing heavily.
St Laurent tries to get to full guard but Dios has control of the leg.

Dios seems to be working for a kimura but St Laurent defends the submission attempt.
St Laurent is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Dios's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Dios's back!

St Laurent is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Dios has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

St Laurent looking for the choke but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

St Laurent has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Dios rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

St Laurent is trying to work for a kimura but Dios is defending well.

Dios looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Dios flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
St Laurent scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dios is trying to defend against the ground and pound but St Laurent scores with a couple of nice shots.
St Laurent works his way into full mount!
St Laurent works his way to his opponent's back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
St Laurent throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Dios!

St Laurent is persistently looking for the submission but Dios is defending it well.
St Laurent is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Dios trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards St Laurent.

St Laurent looking for the choke from the back.
St Laurent scores with punches and elbows.
I really don't envy Dios right now.
St Laurent not allowing Dios to control his hands.
St Laurent lands punches and elbows.

St Laurent is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Dios defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Dios turns into St Laurent and is now in his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

St Laurent working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dios doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dios manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Dios with a nice head shot there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
St Laurent lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Dios!
Dios tries to hold on but St Laurent postures up.
Dios manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Louis St Laurent overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Dios is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of St Laurent's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take St Laurent's back!
St Laurent prevents Dios from getting a body triangle.

Dios is looking for the choke from the back position but St Laurent is controlling his hands well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
St Laurent turns into Dios and is now in his guard.
Dios looking to hit a scissor sweep but St Laurent is one step ahead there.
St Laurent stands up over Dios, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Louis St Laurent dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Dios is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Dios looks for a takedown but St Laurent sprawls well.
St Laurent throws a series of punches but Dios moves out of range.
St Laurent throws a head kick but Dios moves out of range.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by St Laurent!
St Laurent swinging wilding here.
Dios blocks a head kick by St Laurent.
Dios tries to clinch there but St Laurent circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
St Laurent stuffs the takedown attempt from Dios. Dios gets slowly back to his feet.
St Laurent fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Dios takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
St Laurent moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
St Laurent will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for St Laurent, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Dios shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Dios was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Dios punishing his opponent with strikes.
St Laurent regains half guard.
St Laurent is pressing down on Dios's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
St Laurent looking for a sweep. Not yet St Laurent, not yet.
Dios tries to free his leg and advance position but St Laurent is retaining full guard.

St Laurent had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Dios is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. St Laurent Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Dios's back instead.
Dios turns into St Laurent and is now in his guard.
St Laurent keeping moving, preventing Dios from controlling successfully.
St Laurent trying to strike off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dios with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
St Laurent looking for a sweep. Not yet St Laurent, not yet.
Dios lands a couple of decent looking shots.
St Laurent manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Dios tries to get back to half guard but can't.
St Laurent lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

St Laurent stands up from mount. Strange move.
Dios avoids the head kick by St Laurent.
Dios misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Louis St Laurent has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Via Dios.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
St Laurent throws a right hand that Dios ducks under and follows up with a left that Dios also avoids with ease.
St Laurent fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
St Laurent misses with a wild combination.
St Laurent swinging wilding here.
St Laurent scores with a jab to the jaw.
Dios shoots for a double leg takedown but St Laurent sprawls well. He's pushed Dios's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
St Laurent misses with a two punch combination.
Dios avoids a punch combination nicely.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dios.
Dios avoids the head kick by St Laurent.

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.

Dios darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Nice strikes from Dios there.
Dios wants to lay and pray for a moment but St Laurent keeps working.
Dios throwing shots but St Laurent is blocking nicely.
Dios trying to control from St Laurent's half guard. St Laurent has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
St Laurent looking for a sweep. Not yet St Laurent, not yet.
St Laurent can't keep his opponent in guard - Dios advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Dios slips a nice elbow through St Laurent's hands, connecting with St Laurent's forehead.
St Laurent is in trouble now - Dios has advanced to mount!
Dios wants to control the pace but St Laurent is squirming around nicely.
Dios with a couple of short strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Louis St Laurent did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Danga de danga de dang - St Laurent scores with a four punch combination!
St Laurent throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
St Laurent misses the shot to the body.
Dios misses with a head kick.
St Laurent tries to bum rush Dios with a series of wild strikes but Dios uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
St Laurent throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dios.
Horrible takedown by Dios or perhaps it was just good defense by St Laurent which made him look bad.
Dios looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? St Laurent is fending him off so far but Dios persists. Nope, St Laurent circles away and we're back to standing.
Louis St Laurent seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
St Laurent walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Dios checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice takedown defense from St Laurent. No joy for Dios on that attempt.
Louis St Laurent has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Via Dios.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
St Laurent fails to land with a series of punches.
St Laurent lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by St Laurent.
St Laurent lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
St Laurent misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dios slips a jab and a cross from St Laurent.

Dios bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Dios tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Dios has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Dios is working St Laurent over with some ground and pound from side control.
St Laurent is trying to get back to half guard.

Dios tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Dios has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Dios tries to move into full mount but can't pass St Laurent's legs.

Dios has hold of St Laurent's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! St Laurent tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Dios cranks the arm and St Laurent screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from St Laurent, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:03 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Via Dios!
Via Dios is the new bantamweight champion!