PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Damien Larson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Santiago Ponzinibbio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Santiago Ponzinibbio is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Larson
vs
Ponzinibbio

190 cm
22
206 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
20
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Damien Larson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Santiago Ponzinibbio!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ponzinibbio displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Larson.
Ponzinibbio avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Larson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ponzinibbio looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ponzinibbio throws a series of punches but Larson moves out of range.
Ponzinibbio throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Larson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Larson is taking a breather. Ponzinibbio says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Ponzinibbio manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Ponzinibbio throws a nice looking combination but Larson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Larson darts in and clinches Ponzinibbio up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Larson looking for a takedown.
Ponzinibbio wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ponzinibbio can't break the clinch.
Ponzinibbio should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Larson turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Larson manages to end up in side control.
Ponzinibbio pushes Larson away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Larson gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Ponzinibbio looks winded!

Larson stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larson lands a head kick. Ponzinibbio smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Some wild striking there from Ponzinibbio.

Larson moves into the clinch.
Larson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damien Larson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Larson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ponzinibbio's efforts to push away.

Ponzinibbio manages to break the clinch.
Ponzinibbio fails to land with a series of punches.
Ponzinibbio misses with a series of wild punches.

Larson has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Larson to work.

Larson pulls guard effortlessly.
Larson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ponzinibbio is controlling him.
Ponzinibbio loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Larson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Larson wants to sweep but no luck.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Larson is trying to keep Ponzinibbio in close.
Ponzinibbio wants to pass the guard but Larson is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Larson has momentary wrist control but Ponzinibbio slips an elbow through the middle.
Ponzinibbio looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larson wants to stand up but Ponzinibbio is controlling him.
Larson wants to sweep here but Ponzinibbio controlling him for the moment.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Larson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ponzinibbio can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ponzinibbio postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Ponzinibbio must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Larson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ponzinibbio cracks Larson with a solid left hand.
Larson wants to stand up but Ponzinibbio is controlling him.
Ponzinibbio working some strikes from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larson looking to control.
Ponzinibbio lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Ponzinibbio postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Larson is trying to keep Ponzinibbio in close.
Ponzinibbio looking to pass the guard.
Ponzinibbio throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ponzinibbio in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Larson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ponzinibbio defends it easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ponzinibbio connects with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Damien Larson dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Larson shoots in for a takedown but Ponzinibbio shows good takedown defense.
Damien Larson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ponzinibbio swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ponzinibbio looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Larson.
Ponzinibbio throws a series of punches but Larson avoids them all with ease.
Larson explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Larson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ponzinibbio sprawls well. Ponzinibbio wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Larson gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damien Larson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Larson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nice straight punches there by Larson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Larson.
Larson dodges the punch combination from Ponzinibbio.
Ponzinibbio falls off balance throwing a combination

and Larson moves into the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Larson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ponzinibbio scores with a one two! Larson had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Santiago Ponzinibbio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Larson has taken the fight to the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Ponzinibbio's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Larson jumps into guard, dragging Ponzinibbio to the mat.
Damien Larson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ponzinibbio throws an elbow that misses. Larson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ponzinibbio's guard. Nice move by Larson!

Ponzinibbio scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Some wild striking there from Ponzinibbio.
Larson moves in looking to clinch but Ponzinibbio pushes him off.
Ponzinibbio swinging wildly here.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Larson is defended easily by Ponzinibbio.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ponzinibbio misses with the combination.
Ponzinibbio throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Larson.
Ponzinibbio avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A combination from Ponzinibbio does no damage.
Ponzinibbio keeps the fight on the outside.
Ponzinibbio throws a series of punches but Larson avoids them all with ease.
Ponzinibbio blocks a head kick by Larson.
Ponzinibbio misses with a two punch combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ponzinibbio throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Larson.
Ponzinibbio misses with a combination
and Larson counters with a solid body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Ponzinibbio.
Ponzinibbio misses with a two punch combination.

Ponzinibbio gets caught napping as Larson dives in and scores a takedown. Ponzinibbio manages to retain guard.
Ponzinibbio wants to stand and escape but Larson is having none of it.
Ponzinibbio is wriggling around but Larson manages to pass to half guard.
Ponzinibbio taking some punishment here, with Larson in his half guard.
Ponzinibbio wants to stand back up but Larson manages to pass into side control.

Larson decides to stand back up. Larson steps back and let's Ponzinibbio get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ponzinibbio lands a two punch combo.
Ponzinibbio rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Larson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ponzinibbio fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ponzinibbio misses with a double jab.
Ponzinibbio lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Larson circles away quickly and effectively.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ponzinibbio misses with a two punch combination.
Santiago Ponzinibbio seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Larson tries to clinch but Ponzinibbio moves out of range.
Ponzinibbio throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ponzinibbio swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Larson counters with a thumping low kick.
Ponzinibbio throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Larson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Larson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ponzinibbio tries to circle away but Larson has him pinned against the cage.
Larson keeps control of Ponzinibbio as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ponzinibbio gets underhooks to prevent Larson's takedown attempt.
Ponzinibbio has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
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 Damien Larson will probably get the nod.
That's time! Larson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Larson dodges the punch combination from Ponzinibbio.
Ponzinibbio throws a combination that misses
and Larson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Larson throws a sloppy head kick and Ponzinibbio moves out of range easily.
Larson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ponzinibbio misses with a combination
and Larson counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Larson is defended easily by Ponzinibbio.
Larson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ponzinibbio pinned against the cage. Ponzinibbio gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damien Larson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ponzinibbio misses with a double jab.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A combination from Ponzinibbio does no damage.
Ponzinibbio misses with a combination
and Larson counters with a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ponzinibbio throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ponzinibbio misses with a combination
and Larson counters with a left to the body.
Ponzinibbio swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ponzinibbio looks to land a combination but Larson avoids it well.
Larson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ponzinibbio sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Larson somewhat.
Ponzinibbio fails to land with a series of punches.
Larson is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Ponzinibbio.
Sloppy strikes from Ponzinibbio. Those never looked like landing.
Ponzinibbio throws a combination that misses
and Larson counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ponzinibbio fails to land with a series of punches.
Ponzinibbio throws a right and a left that Larson avoids nicely.
Larson dodges the punch combination from Ponzinibbio.
Ponzinibbio throws a series of punches but Larson moves out of range.
Ponzinibbio swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ponzinibbio misses with a double jab

and Larson counters by moving into the clinch.
Ponzinibbio takes an elbow to the forehead.
Ponzinibbio is trying to break free.
Ponzinibbio is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Larson is trying to pull guard but Ponzinibbio turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ponzinibbio tries to circle away but Larson has him pinned against the cage.
Larson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Larson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ponzinibbio prevents it.
Larson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Larson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ponzinibbio's efforts to push away.

Ponzinibbio pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Larson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ponzinibbio is fending him off so far but Larson persists. Nope, Ponzinibbio circles away and we're back to standing.
Ponzinibbio misses with a double jab

and Larson counters with a takedown into side control.
Ponzinibbio tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.

Ponzinibbio is looking to stand back up. He's having to work hard to escape but eventually he manages it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ponzinibbio throws a left and a right that both miss
and Larson counters with a nice leg kick.
Larson shoots in for a takedown but Ponzinibbio shows good takedown defense.
Ponzinibbio throws a right and a left that both miss.
Larson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Larson tries to clinch but Ponzinibbio is having none of it.
Ponzinibbio throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ponzinibbio throws a series of punches but Larson moves out of range.
Larson tries to clinch there but Ponzinibbio circles away.
Santiago Ponzinibbio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sloppy strikes from Ponzinibbio. Those never looked like landing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A combination from Ponzinibbio does no damage.
A right-left combo lands from Ponzinibbio.
Ponzinibbio misses with a wild combination.
Santiago Ponzinibbio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Damien Larson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nice takedown defense from Ponzinibbio. No joy for Larson on that attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Santiago Ponzinibbio.
I think Larson 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 29:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!