PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shael Connen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Renato Laranja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Laranja has chosen best of renato as his entrance music. Renato Laranja has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Connen
vs
Renato Laranja

185 cm
20
199 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

185 cm
19
193 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Experienced

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Brute

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Shael Connen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Renato Laranja!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Colin Fotheringham and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Laranja avoids the head kick by Connen.
Laranja is trying hard to land a takedown here. Connen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Connen fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Laranja, pushing him back against the cage.
Connen wants a takedown but no success here.

Laranja tightens his grip and picks Connen up, before dumping him to the ground. Connen manages to land in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Connen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Laranja.

Laranja drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Connen dives on top into guard.
Connen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Connen trying to control the position from guard on top but Laranja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Laranja avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Connen trying to control the position from guard on top but Laranja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Connen looking to pass the guard.
Connen preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Shael Connen wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Laranja with a lazy takedown attempt

and Connen counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Connen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Laranja tries to sprawl but Connen drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Laranja tries to roll over but Connen keeps him under control.
Connen working over Laranja with some ground and pound. Laranja looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Laranja is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Connen's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Connen's back!
Connen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Laranja on the ground.

Connen showing good submission defense here.
Connen trying to control the position but Laranja manages to sink in the hooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Connen breaks Laranja's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Laranja working for a triangle but Connen defends it easily.
Laranja 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.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Connen looking to pass the guard.
Connen trying to control the position from guard on top but Laranja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Laranja utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Laranja has his foot on Connen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Connen works his way back into a safe position though.
Connen is looking to work some ground and pound but Laranja has wrist control.
Connen chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Connen landing with the ground and pound.

Connen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Connen trying to control the position from guard on top but Laranja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Connen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Connen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Connen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Laranja looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Connen tries to free his leg and advance position but Laranja is retaining full guard.
Connen postures up in Laranja's guard and throws a big left but Laranja blocks it.
Connen distracts Laranja with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Connen trying to control the position from guard on top but Laranja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Laranja working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Connen.
Connen trying to control but Laranja is working from the bottom.
Connen tries to free his leg and advance position but Laranja is retaining full guard.
Connen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Laranja manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Connen manages to get himself to full guard.
Laranja pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Connen is keeping the position for now.
Connen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Connen pulls Laranja in to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shael Connen dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Connen feints and as Laranja raises his hands in defense, Connen changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Laranja striking off his back but it's not causing Connen any problems.
Laranja looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Laranja is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Laranja avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Connen wants to pass the guard but Laranja is keeping the position.
Laranja is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Laranja stops Connen from getting back to his feet.

Laranja is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Connen sees it coming and defends easily.
Shael Connen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Connen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Laranja is working away from the top position though.
Laranja prevents Connen from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Connen wants to control but Laranja is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Laranja connects with a nice short shot to Connen's temple.
Connen wants to control but Laranja is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Laranja is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Laranja stops Connen from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are battling for position here. Connen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Laranja passes Connen's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Connen gets back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laranja pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Connen is keeping the position for now.

Connen working for a triangle but Laranja defends it easily.
Laranja content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Laranja throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laranja won't allow Connen to sweep him here.
Laranja trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Laranja tries to free his leg and advance position but Connen is retaining full guard.
Connen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Connen tries to get out of the position.
Connen wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Laranja is now in half guard.

Laranja is trying to work for a kimura but Connen is defending well.
Connen is trying to get back to full guard.
Connen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Laranja's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Laranja's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Connen is persistently looking for the submission but Laranja is defending it well.
You can see the frustration on Laranja's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Connen lands punches and elbows.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Connen is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Laranja has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Laranja rolls, trying to escape but Connen keeps control of the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Connen lands a shot to the head.

Laranja is in a bad position with Connen working for a choke. Laranja manages to spin nicely into guard and the danger is over for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shael Connen dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Laranja tries for a takedown but Connen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
No luck for Laranja with that takedown attempt.
Laranja misses with a takedown attempt

and Connen counters by moving into the clinch.
Shael Connen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Renato Laranja.
Laranja jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Connen walks away with a smile on his face. Laranja gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Connen stuns Laranja with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Connen looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Laranja!
Connen tries to advance to mount but Laranja denies him.
Connen moves into full mount!
Connen is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Laranja can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Connen landing strikes, looking to finish!

Connen working for a guillotine from mount but Laranja is in no mood to give up.
Laranja tries to reverse the position but Connen maintains control.
Laranja is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Connen is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Laranja can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Laranja working to try and regain half guard.
Connen cracks Laranja with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
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!
Laranja sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Connen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Laranja does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laranja wants to control but Connen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Connen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Connen is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Laranja sees it coming and defends easily.
Connen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Laranja defending well though.
Laranja won't allow Connen to pass to mount.
Laranja wants to control but Connen is keeping busy.

Connen is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Laranja is looking for a sweep. Connen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Laranja looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laranja is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Laranja takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Connen seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

Laranja actively working from the bottom here.

Connen is looking for a kimura here.
Connen slows the pace down in half guard.
Connen throwing shots but Laranja is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Laranja looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Laranja is trying to get back to full guard.
Connen seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Connen thows a huge punch but Laranja dodges it nicely.
Connen is pressing down on Laranja's thigh, looking to free his foot. Laranja is holding on for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Connen is trying to work for a kimura but Laranja is defending well.
Connen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shael Connen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Connen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shael Connen!
Shael Connen made sure to mention his sponsor, Brute in his post fight interview.